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In theory, a unified platform for all three air support roles is a good idea, but I think it's becoming apparent that airframes are too complex of systems to ma
by SteveNuts 8y ago
In theory, a unified platform for all three air support roles is a good idea, but I think it's becoming apparent that airframes are too complex of systems to make universal.
I really hope they can overcome the issues because overall it should help with logistics and cost over the long term.
- alkonaut 8y agoYes excellent idea to have a carrier and land based shared airframe, like the hornet did. But sharing it also with STOVL?? At what point did they pause to think “wow this will either make it 2/3 almost completely separate planes, or give it a lot of compromises in efficiency for the other roles, or add billions to the cost, or all of the above”?
- jdietrich 8y ago>I really hope they can overcome the issues because overall it should help with logistics and cost over the long term. That ship has already sailed. According to the program manager for the F-35, there is only 20-25% commonality between the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps variants. The F-35 has all of the downsides of a compromise design, but with almost none of the benefit. http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2016/March%202016/March%2014%202016/All-For-One-and-All-for-All.aspx http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2016/March%202016...