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That's what one writer has to say what the USAF should be acquiring . . .

The solution to the F-35 nightmare first flew in 2008. This is the Gripen E of Saab in Sweden

Simulation has the Gripen E shooting down the Su-35 at almost the same rate that the F-22 does.

Saab's partner in the U.S. is Boeing, which will be without a fighter offering of its own once the F-18 Super Hornet production line in St Louis closes. It would be surprising if the two companies haven't discussed bringing the Gripen to America. That would be good news for U.S. power projection in the Western Pacific, and for the families of U.S. airmen.

The story doesn't end there. At the moment the Su-35 is the fighter to beat.

And given what the author says about the F-23 being "faster and stealthier" than the F-22, I like the idea at the end about reintroducing and updating the F-23 fighter.

Talking to a UK F-35 driver a few weeks ago, he was of the opinion that it's a brilliant aircraft that has suffered from an abnormally high number of teething problems and, when it's all finally sorted and in regular flying service, it will be the best piece of kit out there. And he was an ex-Harrier pilot!

The Gripen is also a bit lacking where VTOL is concerned and, if you're going to look at such aircraft, even the proposed JAS39E will be a poor version of a Eurofighter Typhoon.

JLAmber wrote:The Gripen is also a bit lacking where VTOL is concerned and, if you're going to look at such aircraft, even the proposed JAS39E will be a poor version of a Eurofighter Typhoon.

There's the root problem for the F-35. Going for commonality between VTOL and CTOL is a recipe for disaster. We could have two different but fully ready to go aircraft by now for less money IMO.

JLAmber wrote:Talking to a UK F-35 driver a few weeks ago, he was of the opinion that it's a brilliant aircraft that has suffered from an abnormally high number of teething problems and, when it's all finally sorted and in regular flying service, it will be the best piece of kit out there. And he was an ex-Harrier pilot!

That's weird. I talked to one three days ago and he said it was the biggest piece of turd to ever infest the American skies. But this was an ex C-17 pilot.

Don't park it too long in the sun...rain is bad for it...don't fly it close to thunderstorms...

Lucas wrote:Don't park it too long in the sun...rain is bad for it...don't fly it close to thunderstorms...

What's sun? Everything in the UK has to be parked inside because of rain anyway, and we're not allowed to fly near thunderstorms because of health and safety, so the perfect aircraft for us

Seriously though, we are getting a couple of F-35s based at Warton next year for system tests so I'll get the chance to see them and speak to the pilots then. Will be interesting to hear their opinions once the type is fully operational.

I am biased because they are freaking stupid to work with in a mission environment. At least they don't go lost link, but IFEs yes.

F-35 is a dog, but Gripen isn't the answer, even the mythological vaporware NG version.

Gripen is like the F-20 Tigershark. A neat and interesting idea that fits a niche role and is over hyped by adherents that just need to watch Frozen.

I think more F22's mixed with F35's would be OK, but this administration screwed that up with the 180 aircraft reduction.

The F35 is a flying Edsel.

A waste of money.

bhmbaglock wrote:

JLAmber wrote:The Gripen is also a bit lacking where VTOL is concerned and, if you're going to look at such aircraft, even the proposed JAS39E will be a poor version of a Eurofighter Typhoon.

There's the root problem for the F-35. Going for commonality between VTOL and CTOL is a recipe for disaster. We could have two different but fully ready to go aircraft by now for less money IMO.

Agreed. I recall reading that there were plans for a stealth Harrier with all the latest toys on, but the project was shelved in favour of the F-35. That and a similar redesign of the F/A-18 would have been a better option IMO.