Now that the cost of a single F-35 stealth fighter has dropped to $89
million, there is still hope for the Pentagon’s shuddering bucket of bolts.
With parts for the cranky, unpredictable fighter being produced in
practically every state in the country, it’s a win-win jobs getter.
This in turn, guarantees reelection for whichever senator or
representative brings home this particularly moldy slice of bacon to his
constituents.
Pilots complain that the delicate aircraft can’t be flown at night or in
areas where the sun shines, or near lightning or through fog. “You can’t
make it fly too high, or too low,” said Navy test pilot Commander Ed
Gusaver. “Because of the cramped cockpit, he added, “they’ve added a
sign near the boarding ladder that says, “Must be THIS tall to pilot the
plane.”
Moreover, in simulated dogfights it gets defeated by the 1970’s era
F-16, even if the F-16 pilot is blindfolded and has his hands tied
behind his back.
“We envisioned the F-35 as a visionary replacement for the F-22, the
F-16, the A-10 Thunderbolt … pretty much every fighter in our hangers
all over the world.
Now, we’re leaning toward its role as being to replace the cruise
missile, loaded with explosives with a hamster at the controls.”