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Nickolas, johnnymoose, Tangent likes this
This is purely opinion. Also, it is 1970s aerospace thinking applied to a modern weapons system. I don't agree with his assessment at all. When he said stealth is a scam, he is dead wrong. Stealth works very well and it has been demonstrated a number of times.
The high/low approach to aircraft design is why the F-15 and the F-16 got built. His assessment of the F-15 has been shown to be wrong, it was/is a successful airframe for air dominance. The F-16 likewise is successful with its air interdiction and ground support role too. That is the high/low mission and it has been successful.
This interview seems like it is with a grumpy old man and no more.
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Nickolas 10 years, 5 months ago
He has some good points. But also I have never seen an interview that Speyes is not grumpy and bitches about any US plane. He complained about the F-4. He is the type of person that does not like anything that is not his idea is my guess. He does not mention that the latest F-16 with all their conformal fuel tanks and items looks like an overloaded turkey today. Anyway, there is some merit to his statements, but also I do question the need to for a F-35 as much as I love it and the F-22. It seems the world of war and our Air/Marine/Navy flying forces would best suited building less F-35/22s and more F-16/15/18s to fly more pilots and less drones. Anyway enough of my ramblings for now.. ;-)
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ahnyerkeester 10 years, 5 months ago
Good rambling my friend! I am not crazy about the cost of these aircraft and I do believe the future is drones or UAVs. One of the last commanders I worked for in the USAF left to work maintenance on the F-35 and he said it would be the last manned aircraft the USAF produces. I still believe him. However, in the interim, I believe we do need to refresh our fighter fleet. While these aircraft do cost more, with their advanced capabilities we won't need as many. Also, there is a logistic trail behind every aircraft. The legacy aircraft designed in the 1970s have a large logistics footprint. The 22 & 35 are designed to have small footprints. It is really difficult and expensive to try to get 16s, 15s, 18s, 14s and A-10s etc. to fit that smaller footprint. The aircraft cost more to build but in the long run upkeep will be cheaper, air dominance will be preserved, and we'll have a safe space in which to develop drones that won't initiate Judgement Day. :) Drones are the future, that's for sure.
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