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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy aircraft carriers may be good for parking cars but not landing new jets
As this third week in January starts, we're learning three things about the U.S. military aircraft carrier program:
The Pentagon may be looking at reducing the number of carriers in the U.S. fleet from 11 to 10 to save money.
The military's new F-35C Joint Strike Fighter may not be suitable for carrier use.
Aircraft carriers make fine automobile transports.
...
As for the F-35C, reports have begun circulating that the aircraft the military says is "the most affordable, lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used by so many warfighters across the globe" won't be able to land on aircraft carriers, apparently because its tailhook is too short and is situated too close to its landing gear for the plane to properly grab the arresting cables that enable planes to land on aircraft carriers.
more
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/16/why-aircraft-carriers-may-be-good-for-parking-cars-but-not-landing-new-jets/?hpt=hp_bn1
rustydog
(9,186 posts)Military spending must be cut by 60% at least. We'd still have a larger defense spending budget than all industrialized nations COMBINED. We could still build more aircraft carriers.
liberal N proud
(60,298 posts)when they were developign the F-35C?
RC
(25,592 posts)tech3149
(4,452 posts)I read an article from a retired general who had worked in procurement for most of his career.
He stated in no uncertain terms that we haven't bought a weapons system since the 50's that was worth a damn. They have all been overpriced, ineffective, unneeded, or just plain don't work.
And all those retired staff officers that go to work for the weapons manufacturers really would like to keep it that way.
Vogon_Glory
(9,084 posts)There seem to be these wonderful disconnects in US military planners' thinking. I'm reminded of right-wing Republicans bellowing about "handing OUR canal in Panama" to the Panamanians, yet oblivious to the fact that Ronnie's naval build-up called for capital ships too large to make their way through the Panama Canal's locks.
Go figure.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Ideal for limping home over water?