• Trump asks Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 to compete with the F35
    64 replies, posted
[MEDIA]https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/812061677160202240[/MEDIA] No other sources right now, but Trump's own mouth is a source enough.
At this point, im wondering if he is going to blurt out some Area 51 level secret.
Isn't the F-18 and F-35 meant for wholly different combat roles?
So it looks like the Black Wasp might be a reality [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/WDaqayx.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE=Van-man;51570181]Isn't the F-18 and F-35 meant for wholly different combat roles?[/QUOTE] The only real difference is the F-35s stealth and weaponry
That's the problem. A comparable Super Hornet cannot exist. The design is inherently unstealthy, and wasn't designed to be stealthy. You can't just give it a coat of [I]Stealth Paint Supreme[/I] and expect an effective stealth aircraft. There's also literally no point to making a modernized Super Hornet at this point. The Marines still require a new VTOL aircraft and the Air Force isn't going to want a Navy fighter. Most of the F35s cost overruns are behind it at this point, and the plane is finally producing results. Cutting it at this point, when most of its teething problems are behind it, just like the F22, would be asinine.
[QUOTE=MissZoey;51570169][MEDIA]https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/812061677160202240[/MEDIA] No other sources right now, but Trump's own mouth is a source enough.[/QUOTE] Might aswell, not like most of the media actually doesn't already have their intern refreshing his twitter page every 5 seconds for the first scoop. Or that they even do any hard journalism either.
The F-35 has a far more advanced information and data gather and surveillance technology than you could ever strap onto an F-18 because it was built into the design. I would like to see maybe in a month or two Boeing come up with something though just for curiosities sake.
As ridiculous a premise as that is, I am curious what Boeing's response might be.
what does "comparable" mean here, just prices? wouldnt trying to make an f-18 fufil what the f-35 does cost even more than just... an f-35
[QUOTE=KillRay;51570366]what does "comparable" mean here, just prices? wouldnt trying to make an f-18 fufil what the f-35 does cost even more than just... an f-35[/QUOTE] Yes, because Boeing then has to conduct billions of R&D to modify an inherently different platform to be something very dis-similar.
There's no way they can compare the aircraft though. One is a stealthy aircraft, the other isn't.
[QUOTE=Anders118;51570376]Yes, because Boeing then has to conduct billions of R&D to modify an inherently different platform to be something very dis-similar.[/QUOTE] Probably why he asked for the potential cost rather than immediately cutting it.
again guys, he knows how fix america just embrace it
[QUOTE=download;51570463]There's no way they can compare the aircraft though. One is a stealthy aircraft, the other isn't.[/QUOTE] ...except they can modify the design and produce a new version of the aircraft? Trump's looking into the potential costs of adapting the F-18 to fit a new role versus continuing the F-35 project. It's almost certain they'll find continuing the F-35 project is more financially reasonable and that'll probably be the last we hear of it.
[QUOTE=Dr. Evilcop;51570488]...except they can modify the design and produce a new version of the aircraft? Trump's looking into the potential costs of adapting the F-18 to fit a new role versus continuing the F-35 project. It's almost certain they'll find continuing the F-35 project is more financially reasonable and that'll probably be the last we hear of it.[/QUOTE] To modify the aircraft to be even remotely comparable to the F35 will require such a massive overhaul you may as well build a new aircraft... like the F35. [editline]23rd December 2016[/editline] It's dumb.
[media]https://twitter.com/SteveKopack/status/812073516153573376[/media]
Perhaps the potential of losing the contract will spurn LMT to improve their product. Maybe it's a deal making tactic. It might be that that's the real goal here.
[QUOTE=download;51570496]To modify the aircraft to be even remotely comparable to the F35 will require such a massive overhaul you may as well build a new aircraft... like the F35. [editline]23rd December 2016[/editline] It's dumb.[/QUOTE] Right, I think I see your point and it really seems true enough; however, have you considered the fact that Trump thought this over and is speaking on a knowledgeable standpoint, or at the very least there's an unknown advantageous element?
[QUOTE=Deathtrooper2;51570171]At this point, im wondering if he is going to blurt out some Area 51 level secret.[/QUOTE] We either find out that there's something there or we don't and the world forgets about an area on on the map.
Isn't the F-35 currently entering active service not just in America but for export customers as well? It would be silly to cut it at this point.
[QUOTE=download;51570496]To modify the aircraft to be even remotely comparable to the F35 will require such a massive overhaul you may as well build a new aircraft... like the F35. [editline]23rd December 2016[/editline] It's dumb.[/QUOTE] If you're as right as you think you are, then I'm sure the actual experts at Boeing will tell him the same thing. Good thing he asked, right?
this is like instead of training a new soldier you just outfit a tired 80 year old veteran who doesnt understand the technology
[QUOTE=sYnced;51570517]Right, I think I see your point and it really seems true enough; however, have you considered the fact that Trump thought this over and is speaking on a knowledgeable standpoint, or at the very least there's an unknown advantageous element?[/QUOTE] Trump actually thinking before he speaks? Very unlikely.
Its pretty late in the game to turn back on it now, the cost per unit for F-35 is going to be cheaper than cutting it short and doing RnD for a new F-18 variant. Maybe will see the revival of the Black Widow II or something though, who knows.
[QUOTE=Michael haxz;51570190] The only real difference is the F-35s stealth and weaponry[/QUOTE] F-18s can't take off from a LHD
oh good, this will go down well with the people at my plant who voted for trump, i can only assume from the 100 f-35 posters they've put up around there that management is counting on the f-35
Though I criticized the F-35 earlier in its development, cancelling at this point would be asinine. Of all the countries involved in the program, the US would be the last I expect to hear change their plans.
To be honest, I imagine this would more be wanting to increase airframe numbers, not cut F-35 directly.
Hell even early in its development cycle, the F-35 was actually a really really damn good aircraft. It's main problems came from the B variant, the one that has the capability of VTOL. The A and C variants had the same amount of problems as any aircraft when it first launches which were fixed quickly just as every aircraft first launches. There's really no point to try and change this now.
Isn't it just the vtol F-35B that's grossly overbudget? I thought that the runway and carrier models were doing fine
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