Guy levy, the new fighter raises the question: 'Do we really need it, or was it all an act to keep the AC industry in bread and water? Actually, all those innovations on the F35 can be installed on existing fighters; and which enemy are they going to combat? Our scenario for the foreseeable future deals with people on the ground, not with planes in the air. Nothing against the F35 as such but what can it do that a heli or a drone can't? I understand the F35 still needs an airfield, is that right?

Hmmmm, the main factor with the F-35 is that USAF, USN and MC will all utilize the same airframe which will reduce costs across the board. It truely is a multi use weapons platform to meet the services requirements. It will be the replacement for F-18, F-15, F-16, F-5, AV8, A-6 at the minimum. Here's the kicker, none of those 6 other airframes have components that are interchangable. The only real commonality between all 6 is they use the same type of fuel and lubricants, and perhaps ejection seats, bomb racks. Retire all those models and the cost savings to the taxpayer will be staggering.

Gunny, I hope you are right. But every 10 years or so a new fighter? Why not make one that lasts, lands on a spot and can be updated? Cold war is over, or isn't it? But then so what, life goes on....It's OK with me, let the boys have a new toy, I just bought one for me: A new Vespa 300IE. I'm tooling around on it in the neighborhood and everyone likes it.