Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
All of your examples are STOL operation,which is to say runways that the Grippen, or even the earlier Viggen, could operate from. They demonstrate how STOL aircraft would, in practice, have much of the benefit we've seen from the Harrier with far less cost, complexity, and design penalties. In three wars, how many combat sorties have been flown VTOL?
Is VTOL a good and valuable capability? Sure. Is it cost effective given the US Harrier experience? That's an open question and depends on somewhat on where the US goes with its carrier strategy.
Also ref the "It's better than an AV-8" argument, suppose I said this "The USAF should buy Typhoons/Rafales because they are better than F-16s" Would you just go "yes he has a point there" or would you say "No, the comparison is against other contemporary options, both actual and near term drawing board. The fact that the Euro-canards out perform a much older design is irrelevant for new procurement decisions"
Aug 3, 2011, 10:15:27 AM
Posted to F35B Agitprop ala Sweetman