re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread
Jeff, I read that the production of the F-35 is having problems. What's your reading? If true true, it only shows it's not easy to develop a high-tech aircraft by any country for that matter.
My feeling is that the F-35, all three variants, will get produced. The troubles now, particularly with the current congress and admin, are slowing and delayiong production...but I predict that even if late, once it gets into production there will be many orders for it...and for all three variants.
Many Navies will end up wanting the F-35B for its STOVL capabilities and the LHA, LHD, and Sea Control Carriers that are proliferating.
Other navies, like the UK, perhaps Brazil, the US (of course) and maybe Inida eventually will want it for their CATOBAR carriers. And I believe numerous air forces around the world will ultimately buy it.
All of this will bring down costs eventually because of the numbers being produced.
Time will tell. Right now there are 30 of them already built and they will build 35+ each year for the next two years and then begin building hundreds.