USMC Helicopters to pay for bloated F-35 program

scoutpilot said:
A possible decision with long-term ramifications for Marines on the ground. Bloated programs and poor spending oversight means that the end-user gets a raw deal.
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Certainly. A decision made by the marines themselves. I guess they view the possible long-term ramifications to USMC TACAIR as higher priority. Their Harriers are even older than their helos.

Not agreeing or disagreeing, just saying it's their call.
 
Bullet said:
Certainly. A decision made by the marines themselves. I guess they view the possible long-term ramifications to USMC TACAIR as higher priority. Their Harriers are even older than their helos.

Not agreeing or disagreeing, just saying it's their call.
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How soon will the JSF program come to fruition Bullet? Don't you work on the program in the Pentagon?
 
SamAca10 said:
How soon will the JSF program come to fruition Bullet?
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The first 6 AF F-35s are already at Eglin AFB, and will start regular flying here in a few weeks, and will start training pilots early next year. The Marines get their first STOVL F-35 in a few weeks. So, the jets are starting to show up.

But right now they are in a VERY limited and basic configuration, pretty much only good for initial training. They'll start getting upgraded with increased capabilities next year, and the Marines PLAN to go on their first operational tour with them by around 2014 or so (but that will more than likely slip to a later date). The Navy and AF are waiting for even more capabilities before they are ready to deploy with them.

SamAca10 said:
Don't you work on the program in the Pentagon?
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Yep.
 
The first 6 AF F-35s are already at Eglin AFB, and will start regular flying here in a few weeks, and will start training pilots early next year. The Marines get their first STOVL F-35 in a few weeks. So, the jets are starting to show up.

But right now they are in a VERY limited and basic configuration, pretty much only good for initial training. They'll start getting upgraded with increased capabilities next year, and the Marines PLAN to go on their first operational tour with them by around 2014 or so (but that will more than likely slip to a later date). The Navy and AF are waiting for even more capabilities before they are ready to deploy with them.
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Geez, what ever happened to need to know?
 
genconsternation said:
Geez, what ever happened to need to know?
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I've never met Bullet in person...

But I'd bet my rank, my future pension, etc., that he didn't give you ANYTHING you couldn't Google in a couple of minutes!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
flieger83 said:
I've never met Bullet in person...

But I'd bet my rank, my future pension, etc., that he didn't give you ANYTHING you couldn't Google in a couple of minutes!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
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8.7 seconds:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f35/

JSF 'B' varient just underwent sea trials on the USS Hornet. Very successfully completed two weeks of landings and take offs. Harrier fleet is very old. Corps just bought all of the Royal Navy’s Harriers (RN has discontinued the Harrier due to budget cuts).
 
flieger83 said:
I've never met Bullet in person...

But I'd bet my rank, my future pension, etc., that he didn't give you ANYTHING you couldn't Google in a couple of minutes!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
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Obliged Steve.

There is PLENTY about this program and the jet's capabilities that the folks on this forum do in fact have NO need to know. And like you point out, a simple request for current status could easily be resolved through a Google search of multiple press releases. I was just making it easier for Sam, providing him readily available knowledge already released to the public.

BTW, the F-35 also only has one engine! For guys like Steve and I, that fact is mind-bogglingly scary!
 
Bullet said:
Obliged Steve.

There is PLENTY about this program and the jet's capabilities that the folks on this forum do in fact have NO need to know. And like you point out, a simple request for current status could easily be resolved through a Google search of multiple press releases. I was just making it easier for Sam, providing him readily available knowledge already released to the public.

BTW, the F-35 also only has one engine! For guys like Steve and I, that fact is mind-bogglingly scary!
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Try a single-engine aircraft you can't eject from. That's a real hoot.
 
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