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When viewing the F-35 through the lens of a defense project, it looks silly. You must also realize that this is also an indirect federal jobs program. When the
by ChrisBland 10y ago
When viewing the F-35 through the lens of a defense project, it looks silly. You must also realize that this is also an indirect federal jobs program. When the F-35 would replace other aircraft and their roles, the bases, parts suppliers, and ...sub contractors those people had to be kept employed. No member of congress wanted to say don't add that or build that if it would hurt their district. So much backroom dealing goes on with projects like these its embarrassing.
- sickbeard 10y agoArmy: We need 3 different planes Government: Why not build one plane that can do 3 things? it will be cheaper. ... it turns out it isn't.
- jgeada 10y agoLMFTFY: Government/Army: We need 3 different planes for these 3 different requirements Private corporations @ public trough: you could "save" money by building a single plane meeting all those requirements, and we'd also bring extra jobs to your geographical area. Oh, and plus there is this extra "lobbying" money you can have you if support this project. Politician: Sounds like a good idea...
- levemi 10y agoThat's not how the F-35 was conceived or designed, not at all. It was a highly competitive contract with the requirements given to a few companies and they were given some amount of money to compete for the best design[1]. Your comment is nonsense. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Strike_Fighter_program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Strike_Fighter_program
- russell 10y agoHah! The army is the only service not getting one, unless there is a helicopter variant in there somewhere.
- Retra 10y agoIs it too late to add helicopter capability?
- cowardlydragon 10y agoI'd rather we drop a half-trillion in alternative energy projects. That's a much better jobs investment, and arguably vastly increases our national security than a shitty money pit jet that the Chinese get to make a 99% competitive jet at 1/10th the cost.