Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Holy "Transformer" - - - On Probation !

Gates: "As a result, I am placing the STOVL variant on the equivalent of a two-year probation. If we cannot fix this variant during this time frame and get it back on track in terms of performance, cost and schedule, then I believe it should be cancelled. We will also move the development of the Marine variant to the back of the overall JSF production sequence."


When they produced the first test article prototype for this airplane and I got a look at it, I knew it's fate was going to be difficult.

The design is just too complex with a lift fan and 90 degree rotation of the tailpipe.

Couple that with the manufacturers reputation for delays and cost overruns and the handwriting on the wall was clearly visible.  It took this company 20 years to put the F-22 in service and of course it was way behind the technology curve by then..

More at
http://defense-update.com/wp/20110106_efv_jsf.html
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2 comments:

  1. FritzJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Do you think they can really kill a program like that, or will it go to double secret probation?

    ReplyDelete
  2. hogsantaJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I do believe they can kill it just as Dick Cheney killed it's predecessor the A-12.

    I think another indicator is the fact that the Brits have scrapped their plans for an aircraft carrier tailored to this STOVL concept.

    Finally the concept of forward based close air support is not as important as it was when Europe was the expected battle ground.

    Thanks for checking in Fritz !

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