Russian T-50 Stealth Fighter

[Monster Dave]

Wasn't it Iran that we sold a bunch of F-16s to and when we had a falling out with them rather than take them we just left them and because that couldn't maintain them they just sat out in some desert and are totally unflyable? I recall hearing that or something like that somewhere awhile back.

[Raux]

personally, as a nation that depends on forward basing and shipbased aircraft to project our power. a stealth attack fighter with air launch antiship missiles is a major threat.

[Monster Dave]

We have to keep in mind though that this plane is just coming out from under the curtain, the F35 has been out now and in public eye for quite some time, whose to say we're not on the the next best thing....scramjet.....??

[Le Pirate]

Wasn't it Iran that we sold a bunch of F-16s to and when we had a falling out with them rather than take them we just left them and because that couldn't maintain them they just sat out in some desert and are totally unflyable? I recall hearing that or something like that somewhere awhile back.

I know we sold them/gave them a bunch of F-14s. Now that the US is decommissioning all of our f-14s, we are going through extra steps to destroy all the parts beyond use, as to assure that there are no spare parts for the fleet of them that Iran currently has.

kind of a round about way of decommissioning the Iranian airforce 

[Monster Dave]

kind of a round about way of decommissioning the Iranian airforce 

Thats a "gotcha last" situation to be sure!! 

[Triple J]

i'd say that shape has more to do with it than materials... the materials come into play where the shape couldn't/can't mask the radar cross-section.

Exactly. Shape is much more important. "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich is an excellent book for those interested in the history of stealth aircraft in the US.

I also don't believe the F-35 is replacing the F-22. The F-22 will be made in far fewer numbers, but it is a cutting-edge air superiority fighter, ala the F-16 back in the day. Whereas the F-35 is more all-around, ala the F-15. I'd expect both to be operational at the same time for quite a while, just like the F-15 & F-16 were/are.

[Monster Dave]

Exactly. Shape is much more important. "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich is an excellent book for those interested in the history of stealth aircraft in the US.

I also don't believe the F-35 is replacing the F-22. The F-22 will be made in far fewer numbers, but it is a cutting-edge air superiority fighter, ala the F-16 back in the day. Whereas the F-35 is more all-around, ala the F-15. I'd expect both to be operational at the same time for quite a while, just like the F-15 & F-16 were/are.

About the F22/F35 you are correct - they will both be in service for quite some time. Recently though I was watching the documentary put on by NOVA about the competition and the need for a JSF. The necessity for such a program cam out of the enormous cost of building the F22 ($361 million vs the F35s  $65â€"120 million price range).

It is however, a replacement program. In July of 2009, the Senate voted unanimously to halt production of the F22. For more info, read here: http://www.slate.com/id/2223287/

[NAKID]

As far as the training is concerned, the U.S. military routinely trains the pilots from other countries. I have seen German, Russian, Japanese, Italian, etc pilots running around our bases during joint training evolutions...

[krolik]

As far as the training is concerned, the U.S. military routinely trains the pilots from other countries. I have seen German, Russian, Japanese, Italian, etc pilots running around our bases during joint training evolutions...

True, but I'd be willing to bet that U.S. pilots get alot more flying time in than most other pilots.

[Kopfjäger]

True, but I'd be willing to bet that U.S. pilots get alot more flying time in than most other pilots.

Not when their here using our fuel. 

[aaronb]

It looks Russian though - that I find comical. I don't remember the last time that I saw a jet and said to myself, wow, that must be Russian. 

what about this one?

[Raux]

About the F22/F35 you are correct - they will both be in service for quite some time. Recently though I was watching the documentary put on by NOVA about the competition and the need for a JSF. The necessity for such a program cam out of the enormous cost of building the F22 ($361 million vs the F35s  $65â€"120 million price range).

It is however, a replacement program. In July of 2009, the Senate voted unanimously to halt production of the F22. For more info, read here: http://www.slate.com/id/2223287/

actually the F-35 is not replacing the F-22, just they think we have enough of the f-22's to cover the skies based not on military concepts but  on washington's economic concepts.

also the f-16 was the all around fighter bomber vs the f-15 air superiority fighter. the f-15E program was put into place to give the F-15 it's veristiility

[Le Pirate]

As far as the training is concerned, the U.S. military routinely trains the pilots from other countries. I have seen German, Russian, Japanese, Italian, etc pilots running around our bases during joint training evolutions...

Correct.

I've met several German and Italian pilots when I was living in Wichita Falls. All training through a NATO program of some sort (I'm not military...can you tell?). They would be here for several months at a time and several of the Italian pilots would buy Ducatis to ride around on while they were here 

[krolik]

Not when their here using our fuel. 

I meant overall flight time as a pilot, not when they're here for training.

[ducatiz]

we can just send Clint Eastwood to go pick one up.. no big deal..