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The Russian model is more like this in that they build an advanced model and then a 'monkey model' that is simpler and easy to mass produce quickly. The rationa

The Russian model is more like this in that they build an advanced model and then a 'monkey model' that is simpler and easy to mass produce quickly. The rationale being wars are either over very quickly or grind out over the long term. If the latter occurs they should theoretically be able to scale up faster then their opponent who is still producing their most advance machinery. I read this in a great PDF doc a while back written by I think an ex Russian officer who talked about this and other strategies like their officer heavy army to allow quick expansion through bringing in civilians. I've not been able to find it again if anyone is familiar.

pwc 11y ago
Sounds like the book might have been Inside the Soviet Army: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Soviet_Army https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Soviet_Army http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/index.html http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/index.html
- smacktoward 11y ago
  Yep, that is almost certainly the book in question. I have a hardback copy I bought through a used bookseller ages ago. It's a must-read if you're interested in these types of things.
- Gustomaximus 11y ago
  That's the one. Thanks.
WalterBright 11y ago
The F-35 is so expensive too few can be built and none will be risked in combat, and if they were lost in combat, they could not be replaced. I have no idea what the next major conflict might look like, and nobody else does, either. (WW1 and WW2 both showed large swings in fortunes with even minor technological improvements.) But it's hard to see how the F-35 could play a role in it.
- jacquesm 11y ago
  > I have no idea what the next major conflict might look like Drones.
ihsw 11y ago
Yep, that's the Su35. They started with the Su27, overhauled everything to the point of absurdity, and then rolled back overly complicated features. Now the RuAF has a fantastic multirole fighter that rivals the F35 but years before the F35 sees a combat debut.

pwc 11y ago

Sounds like the book might have been Inside the Soviet Army: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Soviet_Army https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Soviet_Army http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/index.html http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/index.html

smacktoward 11y ago
Yep, that is almost certainly the book in question. I have a hardback copy I bought through a used bookseller ages ago. It's a must-read if you're interested in these types of things.
Gustomaximus 11y ago
That's the one. Thanks.

WalterBright 11y ago

The F-35 is so expensive too few can be built and none will be risked in combat, and if they were lost in combat, they could not be replaced. I have no idea what the next major conflict might look like, and nobody else does, either. (WW1 and WW2 both showed large swings in fortunes with even minor technological improvements.) But it's hard to see how the F-35 could play a role in it.

jacquesm 11y ago
> I have no idea what the next major conflict might look like Drones.

ihsw 11y ago

Yep, that's the Su35. They started with the Su27, overhauled everything to the point of absurdity, and then rolled back overly complicated features. Now the RuAF has a fantastic multirole fighter that rivals the F35 but years before the F35 sees a combat debut.