F-22 rises from the Pentagon trashbin; not so dead after all

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#13477757

By Zerogouki - 17 Aug 2010 04:36

- 17 Aug 2010 04:36 #13477757

If we're going to kep bying these things we should at least offset te ost by selling te rap tat tey're replaing.

fuking keyboard...

#13484095

By Piano Red - 24 Aug 2010 21:37

- 24 Aug 2010 21:37 #13484095

Well even though the thread has been necro-ed to death. I just thought i'd mention that the OP is still accurate.

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have agreed to keep the F-22 production tooling in an inactive mothball state (once the last approved airframe is completed) for the next decade or so.

Primarily in case another administration decides to begin production again. It would appear that the long-awaited unveiling of the PAK-FA managed to convince Gates and the USAF Staff to have it all as a contingency.

"For you, the day when I destroyed your village, killed your family and forced you into exile was the defining moment of your life, but for me...it was Tuesday."

#13484122

By Typhoon - 24 Aug 2010 22:11

- 24 Aug 2010 22:11 #13484122

The F-22 doesnt want to die and neither does this thread so it seems

One thing that sprang to mind with the mothballing news was if the F-22 was unaffordable today whats going to make it affordable five years down the line? Theres a RAND report associated with the news that states that the F-22's unit cost would potentially skyrocket to over $200 million per unit. In a world where it is unlikely the wars the F-22 was designed for are likely to occur in the next 10 years, despite the appearance of the PAK-FA, then to be honest I dont really see any politician being able to cope with those kind of figures.

I still think the US needs to move past the F-22 and clear the drawing board in terms of aircraft design and how these programs are operated, perhaps not as extreme as the designs advocated by Pierre Sprey but if future combat aircraft are to be effective and affordable then the US (and all those relient on the US) need a new plane, not to mention a hedge against the floundering F-35.