Former US Navy commander: Here's what the US should have built instead of the F-35

[FarCenter]

Defense officials never planned for the F-35 to revolutionize dogfighting, however; they instead wanted to change aerial combat as a whole. The F-35, nearly impossible for enemy aircraft to spot, is designed to shoot down foes from long distance before they're ever close enough to really dogfight.

But according to Harmer, who has spent much of his life around carrier-based aircraft, the F-35's advantages begin and end with stealth. Harmer suggests that instead of building the F-35, the US simply should have updated existing aircraft, like the F-15, the F-16, and the F-18.

These platforms — proven, legacy aircraft — could be retrofit with the advanced avionics and helmet for targeting that set the F-35 apart.

"For a fraction of the cost for F-35 development, we could have updated legacy aircraft and gotten a significant portion of the F-35 capabilities." Harmer said. The F-18 for example, has already undergone extensive reworkings, and the F-18 Super Hornet, which is 25% larger than the original F-18, has a smaller radar cross section than its predecessor and is one of the US's cheaper planes to buy and operate.

http://www.businessinsider.com/alternative-to-f-35-2016-12

DoD Secretary nominee is Mattis is a Marine General. If the F-35A for the Air Force is troubled, the F-35C version for the Navy is worse, and the short take-off and vertical landing version F-35B for the Marines is a real dog.

[lpbk2713]

1. The F-16 is still operational today.

And production costs are a fraction of the F-35. Which is the main
reason the Pentagon and defense contractors want it replaced.

[gratuitous]

2. There's a couple of other things we might have done with the money

Give every man, woman, and child in the country $1,000. Replaced outdated school buildings. Hired more teachers and bumped teacher pay by 10%. Fixed a few thousand miles of roads. Hired more public employees so a trip to the DMV to renew your license didn't take up a full day. Provide free high-speed internet to every home in the country.

But none of those things would have enhanced our ability to rain down death without warning on unarmed people who can't get away or fight back. So that's a non-starter.

[Hugin]

6. +1 n/t

[Caliman73]

3. The F-15 has been in service for 44 yrs.

It is still seen as the most successful modern aircraft in the world. It is slated to remain in service past 2025.

The problem with the military is that it has been captured by the weapons industry. We build weapons because politicians want jobs for contractors in their districts, even when the military doesn't want or need what they are building.

[msongs]

4. captured by politicians like senators from Vermont who love the F-35 nt

[Hugin]

5. How about a Medicare for all plan and free College Education?

The tab on the F-35 would just about cover both.