Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
BB1984:
RE: STOL operation
While the Gripen’s TO and landing data is impressive for a non STOVL aircraft, I submit that with a combat load to extract the maximum combat range, you cannot take off in anywhere near as short a distance as a B in combat configuration. If you reduce the load to take off in the same distance, you cannot fly nearly as far as the F-35B. In any case, the Gripen cannot land in the same distance as a vertical-landing F-35B and would probably have a hard time coming close to a B when landing with a rollout. In all instances, the comparisons are worth making ONLY if you discount either the F-35Bs Low observables or the advanced systems on board the B that are not in the Gripen.
RE: Utility of STOVL (vs. STOL or VTOL). Now we’re getting into operational philosophy and doctrines. The Marines now have 40 years(!) of STOVL experience under their belt, which I’m inclined to believe means that they ought to know the value of STOVL to their MAGTF operational visions.
Design Penalties: I categorically reject there are any ‘penalties’ incurred by the design vis a vis the mission: there are only tradeoffs made as in any other aircraft design problem (or life
for that matter).
RE: What If "The USAF should buy Typhoons/Rafales because they are better than F-16s"
If they met the definition of ‘better’ from a Warfighter POV, I would probably go with "yes he has a point there" and would even agree to a going with either aircraft if they were ‘better’ than the F-35 from a Warfighter POV. But I happen to believe neither the Typhoon nor Rafale are ‘better’ than the latest F-16 iteration (for the US anyway) much less the F-35 – and this is from the individual unit POV all the way up to the grand systems-of-systems POV. ( I have a long history of advocating ‘best value’ over America-First ’ism’ in defense. See this old post from after Northrop Grumman/EADS won the KC-X and before Boeing stole the program back: http://elementsofpower.blogspot.com/search?q=B-57)
Aug 4, 2011, 12:22:43 AM
Posted to F35B Agitprop ala Sweetman