Your thoughtful comments are appreciated.
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FFBNW is code for "we don't have the money for it now" and that Australia maintains a 'pool' of Phalanx CIWS systems to be fitted to ships as necessary is simply more confirmation of how threadbare the cupboard is, and how RAN is scraping the barrel to get these ships into service -- which is all the more worrying when you consider that ongoing maintenance and operations costs of large, glorified tin cans such as these greatly outweighs the acquisition cost. A robust military would have as many Phalanx units (not to mention ESSM or similar) as necessary to be fitted simultaneously to the ships that need that require them in the roles they could be called upon to perform, not be forced to play games of musical chairs with what should be standard equipment.
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Now back on topic, the US and our Partners have worked very hard to stand firm for peace and the mutual defense that stands in opposition to those who would and will take those things by force??? The JSF is a tool not only for that physical defense, but also for the idea that we are in this together! (lets all join hands and sing Kumbai Ya!) While this sounds corny to some, I would point out that it is a core belief of our founders, and the JSF is part and parcel of our mutual partnership to share an aircraft, that each of our partner nations will help design, build, and fly.
As to the efficacy of this aircraft, I have NO doubt that it will prove quite capable, if we do our part? I hope you will give this some thought? I have been cranky at times??? (yes, I will be again?), but only by maintaining these strategic partnerships with our respective nations will we be able to maintain this fragile peace through the strength of our mutual defense.
The JSF is a reflection of our commitment to do our part Mr. Lethe, not only LockMart, but the US military, and those US citizens who understand the Global challenge facing each of our respective nations. We face enemies internal and external, but face them we must! I have come to see just how important this aircraft is for each of us, and it is a very fine aircraft, irrespective of the ideals I have tried to "illuminate"..It represents a commitment on our part to provide our partners with the means to defend themselves, and a commitment to "back them up" if need be, through this joint venture to build an aircraft that will no doubt be as good, as it is expensive, but you get what you pay for.
JSF is, and will remain the single most common, and important tool in the arsenal of our mutual defence. BRAT