US101 Cancelled...

[C]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7986627.stm

F22 Production to cease too along with the VH-71/(AW)US-101. I'm sure economic conditions will be used as the reason, but one can't help thinking it will more than happily satisfy the xenophobic elements in the States who protested against a presidential helicopter whose airframe produced by "aliens", and were concerned that F-22 may be exported. In the case of the VH-71 it seems a little odd, as I'm sure most of the airframes have already been built if not exported to the USA already!

To be fair, the writing was on the wall for an export F-22 last month when the new F-15 variant was announced.

[Mobius]

"Wow" is about all I should say... :-/

Let's just hope things change...




There, I've gone over the line...

[C]

"Wow" is about all I should say... :-/

Let's just hope things change...




There, I've gone over the line...

I'm surprised that they aren't giving the USAF the full run of the F-22, although some team of strategists somewhere obviously believe they can sustain the front line force for as long as necessary. After USAF production was complete, I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd closed the line to ensure no one in future could sell an export variant to "the usual customers" (ie, those who operate the F-15 as an export variant - Saudi Arabia, Israel, Japan, S. Korea), particularly with the argument over sensitive information, even within the partner nations of the JSF/JCA project.

In one fell swoop they've created an order book for the F-15SE.

[ShaneG_old]

Sounds like someone isn't very happy with Lockheed Martin. :-/

That or they feel like the JSF can fill any gaps left by the F-22. Could be a smart financial call in the end.

[RitterKreuz]

personally i think xenophobia has little to do with it.

you have to look at things strategically.

if sh*t hits the fan... i want military goods built in the United States - because the United States is not going to Embargo the United States.

however, get into a war with someone and the country that produces your war materials doesnt agree with your point of view... guess what?

parts for your helicopters and fighter jets just got scarce  :-/

[C]

personally i think xenophobia has little to do with it.

you have to look at things strategically.

if sh*t hits the fan... i want military goods built in the United States - because the United States is not going to Embargo the United States.

You seriously think the UK (or Italy) would ever embargo the US? Not to mention you'd already received a third of the basic airframes from (Agusta)Westland in the UK anyway.

I was thinking along Shane's lines, but then again JSF is also an LM product. Having said that, of course the cancelled KC-45 was also LM, and although European in design, was to be made in the States.

It'll be a change for us you look at some of the US forces equipment without turning a shade of green as we do nowadays!

[Mobius]

It'll be interesting to see what the happens with the Air Force in the next few years.

[flyboy 28]

Good thing everything's still floating along with the navy.

[AMDDDA]

Sounds like someone isn't very happy with Lockheed Martin. :-/

That or they feel like the JSF can fill any gaps left by the F-22. Could be a smart financial call in the end.

F-4's can out turn JSF's, the JSF only has one thing going for it: stealth.

[flavio]

[quote]It'll be interesting to see what the happens with the Air Force in the next few years.

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

So they cancel the $140 million F-22 for the $200+million F-35, that makes perfect since. Especial since Japan has asked more then once to get permission to buy the F-22 for the JASDF, witch would make the cost go down per unit, and if it did the UK had already expressed interest in buying some also, witch would drive it down even more, meaning the USAF would be able to get closer to the 300+ units they want if the price were only $90-100 million a unit.
***Still like how Gates has said the Raptor is not combat proven, but it is by his decree that Raptors are not allowed to be sent into combat, a good way to justifies not buying more cold war relics as he puts it***

And the good thing is, The president is not a mechanic and does not understand metal fatigue from years of flying around a heavily modified chopper with EMP shielding, laser defense, flares, chaff, triple the sound deadening, NBC proofing, and the tons of other extra stuff that would allow the Commander In Chief to stay in contacted with any one at any time while flying.  So Far 3 VH-71's delivered, 4th on the way, the 5th is paid for and should be being built also.

Pilots go down, and the Search and Rescue will now have to drive out to them...or Call the British since they do have the EH101, to pick them up

[C]

So they cancel the $140 million F-22 for the $200+million F-35, that makes perfect since. Especial since Japan has asked more then once to get permission to buy the F-22 for the JASDF, witch would make the cost go down per unit, and if it did the UK had already expressed interest in buying some also, witch would drive it down even more

The UK never expressed an interest in the F-22 (we could never afford it, particularly alongside the

[a1]

Well at lease the newer F-15 will take the place of the F-22 for now. In my mind i think we need an advance fighter like the F-22.

[AMDDDA]

Well at lease the newer F-15 will take the place of the F-22 for now. In my mind i think we need an advance fighter like the F-22.

Nope, the USAF isn't buying the F-15 SE, they're just going to go with what they have until the under-performing F-35's arrive.

[Mobius]

[quote][quote]It'll be interesting to see what the happens with the Air Force in the next few years.