BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA

Oooh...  Fancy. I always get suspicious when the the JSF program releases a fancy new picture and a bit of positive news.  While the photograph is always well done, the "good news" is usually rather anti-climatic.  Often, it merely boasts of meeting defined test points, stuff that should be deemed merely acceptable, not brag-worthy.  What would be news is if the JSF did not meet these test points. This is exactly the case this past weekend, when the program office released the picture you see above, along with the press statement that the  "F-35 CONTINUES ON PATH TOWARD FULL WEAPONS CERTIFICATION" Good to know that the F-35 might actually have weapons when the USMC declares initial operating capability (IOC) in six months . As impressive as that photo above looks, there are a few caveats: First of all, ignore those 25mm cannon rounds in the foreground.  The gun that shoots them will not be ready until 2019 . Second, you will notice most of t...

Many services intending to utilize the F-35 Lightning II will do so as part of a mixed fleet.  For example, the USAF will combine the JSF with the F-22 Raptor.  The USN and the RAAF will fly the F-35 alongside the F-18E/F Super Hornet.  Britain and Italy will combine the F-35 with the Eurofighter Typhoon. Panavia Tornado In both Britain and Italy's case, the F-35 is seen more as an heir apparent to the Panavia Tornado.  It should be noted that the Tornado was once considered for Canada's New Fighter Aircraft Program (which resulted in the CF-18), but one of the strikes against it was it was its emphasis on ground attack over air-superiorty. Why are Britain and Italy adamant on flying a mixed force?  Because the two aircraft complement each other.  The Typhoon's ground attack capability (or lack thereof) is often considered its greatest liability.  The F-35, designed from the offset to provide an impressive strike role, has the opposite...