I upgraded strongly on the competence of the U.S. military-industrial complex. The development and deployment of the F-35 Lightning by Lockheed Martin, under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, stand as a testament to the success of government contracting in complex defense projects.
Despite the barrage of criticisms and doubts surrounding the JSF program—ranging from its perceived financial imprudence to its operational viability—the F-35 has emerged as a remarkable technical and military achievement. Critics often highlighted the program’s excessive costs, questioned the aircraft’s maneuverability, and debated its cost-effectiveness compared to fourth-generation fighters. The Air Force’s emphasis on stealth technology was mockingly dismissed as an overindulgence in high-tech gadgetry.
Indeed, the JSF program, with its budget exceeding one trillion dollars and notable delays, faced significant challenges. These were, in part, due to the ambitious engineering advancements it pursued. However, the narrative has shifted, recognizing the F-35 as a superior aircraft. Its per-unit cost, now aligning with that of fourth-generation fighters at 75-90 million dollars, and its operational capabilities, particularly in stealth, highlight its value. The F-35′s stealth technology, reducing its detection range to 20-30 miles compared to the 100 miles or more range of standard air-to-air missiles, gives it an enormous advantage over non-stealth fighters. And infact, in military exercises, where the F-35 demonstrated a 20:1 kill ratio against fourth-generation fighters.
The global military community’s growing preference for the F-35 over its European and Russian counterparts, along with China’s efforts to replicate its technology, further underscores its strategic importance.* While acknowledging the JSF program’s cost overruns and delays, I think the overwhelming tactical edge provided by stealth technology would justify its expense in the context of hopefully hypothetical conventional future conflicts. **
*The JSF plans were stolen by Chinese spies. Though a significant security breach, it does not detract from the program’s engineering successes.
** Yes, nukes are a thing. As is military propaganda. Let us hope none of these gadgets will ever be tested.
I upgraded strongly on the competence of the U.S. military-industrial complex. The development and deployment of the F-35 Lightning by Lockheed Martin, under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, stand as a testament to the success of government contracting in complex defense projects.
Despite the barrage of criticisms and doubts surrounding the JSF program—ranging from its perceived financial imprudence to its operational viability—the F-35 has emerged as a remarkable technical and military achievement. Critics often highlighted the program’s excessive costs, questioned the aircraft’s maneuverability, and debated its cost-effectiveness compared to fourth-generation fighters. The Air Force’s emphasis on stealth technology was mockingly dismissed as an overindulgence in high-tech gadgetry.
Indeed, the JSF program, with its budget exceeding one trillion dollars and notable delays, faced significant challenges. These were, in part, due to the ambitious engineering advancements it pursued. However, the narrative has shifted, recognizing the F-35 as a superior aircraft. Its per-unit cost, now aligning with that of fourth-generation fighters at 75-90 million dollars, and its operational capabilities, particularly in stealth, highlight its value. The F-35′s stealth technology, reducing its detection range to 20-30 miles compared to the 100 miles or more range of standard air-to-air missiles, gives it an enormous advantage over non-stealth fighters. And infact, in military exercises, where the F-35 demonstrated a 20:1 kill ratio against fourth-generation fighters.
The global military community’s growing preference for the F-35 over its European and Russian counterparts, along with China’s efforts to replicate its technology, further underscores its strategic importance.* While acknowledging the JSF program’s cost overruns and delays, I think the overwhelming tactical edge provided by stealth technology would justify its expense in the context of hopefully hypothetical conventional future conflicts. **
*The JSF plans were stolen by Chinese spies. Though a significant security breach, it does not detract from the program’s engineering successes.
** Yes, nukes are a thing. As is military propaganda. Let us hope none of these gadgets will ever be tested.