$50 billion F-35 Thunderpig UNABLE to land on flattops

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-50-bn-us-fighter-jet-cant-land-on-aircraft-carriers-report/900249/

New $50 bn US fighter jet can’t land on aircraft carriers: report

Washington, 2012/01/16 14:56

A new fighter plane to be used by the United Kingdom and United States has a design flaw that prevents it from landing on aircraft carriers, a Pentagon report has revealed.

Leaked Pentagon documents have revealed that the Joint Strike Fighter’s (JSF) arrestor hook, which is used to stop the plane during landing, is located too close to the wheels.

The Pentagon report titled F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Concurrency Quick Look Review also pointed out that the aircraft has failed to make eight simulated landings, and stressed on the need for a ''significant redesign'' of the aircraft.

It warned that the 50 billion dollar programme might have to be called off if redesigning is too costly or is riddled with technical glitches, The Daily Mail reports.

The report also highlighted other defects in the aircraft, pointing out that it might be unable to fire British Asraam air-to-air missiles.

The report is a huge setback to the British Royal Navy, which had expected to deliver 50 planes by 2020.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has refused to comment on the issue but a spokesman said that UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has discussed the report with his U.S counterpart Leon Panetta.

The spokesman also stressed that the UK ''remains committed to purchasing the carrier variant of the JSF.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Is it too late to scrap it?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Good thing they cancelled the F-22.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Is it too late to scrap it?

It's never too late.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

All that money and it doesn't land on carriers?

[xebec 195]

Well, the F-35 has rendered carriers obsolete. No problem...

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Well, the F-35 has rendered carriers obsolete. No problem...

Joke?

[xebec 195]

Joke?

yes

[bigdog 376]

Ouch, who got paid off in this deal?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Boeing had a good fighter in the works some years back and they gave the contract to Lockhheed. Me thinks they would have been better off going with Boeing's fighter.

[MyLittlePony 340]

They cancel a good fighter F-22 for a small plane having problems already to waste more money on tax dollars at work smart thinking.

[xebec 195]

Ouch, who got paid off in this deal?

Apparently the aeronautical engineers Lockheed Martin hired after graduation from Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University....

[Pooky 3,807]

Boeing had a good fighter in the works some years back and they gave the contract to Lockhheed. Me thinks they would have been better off going with Boeing's fighter.

The Boeing F-32 promised to be even more problematic than the Thunderpig. It needed an elementary layout redesign before the test platform even flew, adding tail surfaces to the design when the original tail-less layout proved unworkable.

Is it too late to scrap it?

No. And this increases the likelihood quite considerably.

[Pooky 3,807]

The report also highlighted other defects in the aircraft, pointing out that it might be unable to fire British Asraam air-to-air missiles.

The report is a huge setback to the British Royal Navy, which had expected to deliver 50 planes by 2020.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has refused to comment on the issue but a spokesman said that UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has discussed the report with his U.S counterpart Leon Panetta.

The spokesman also stressed that the UK ''remains committed to purchasing the carrier variant of the JSF.

What's the betting the UK government finds money to either a) navalise the Typhoon, or b) cancel the carriers?

Edited January 17, 2012 by Pooky

[luckytxn 2,264]

What's the betting the UK government finds money to either a) navalise the Typhoon, or b) cancel the carriers?

Why does the UK even need Carriers in this day and age?