One of the problems with the military is that institutional memory sucks. Anyone involved with the F-111, for example, is long retired and, if still working, cashing in on the F-35. No one was sitting in the back of the room loudly proclaiming that a be all/ end all aircraft is an idea that, when tried, fails.
They also need to be introduced to the idea of sunk costs. That is, once spent the money is gone and should not factor into future decisions. A few dollars more makes for a decent movie title but not for military decision making.
Go watch "The Pentagon Wars", a documentary about the Bradley. The book was more accurate than the movie, but the theme - the Pentagon is its own worst enemy - rings true even today.
Yes. I said "documentary". I meant to say "documentary"... because there's really nothing "comedic" about people who care more about their own promotions than the safety of this country.
"The F-35 can do its mission." That endorsement has F-111 written all over it.
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems with the military is that institutional memory sucks. Anyone involved with the F-111, for example, is long retired and, if still working, cashing in on the F-35. No one was sitting in the back of the room loudly proclaiming that a be all/ end all aircraft is an idea that, when tried, fails.
ReplyDeleteThey also need to be introduced to the idea of sunk costs. That is, once spent the money is gone and should not factor into future decisions. A few dollars more makes for a decent movie title but not for military decision making.
Terrific waste of resources, when the USMC has to raid the boneyard to keep their F/A-18's operational....
ReplyDeleteGo watch "The Pentagon Wars", a documentary about the Bradley. The book was more accurate than the movie, but the theme - the Pentagon is its own worst enemy - rings true even today.
ReplyDeleteYes. I said "documentary". I meant to say "documentary"... because there's really nothing "comedic" about people who care more about their own promotions than the safety of this country.
The F-35 is perfect for combat...against other F-35s and maybe the Brewster Buffalo.
ReplyDeleteOK, so now we have a fighter that needs fighter escort.
ReplyDeleteOOh, F-22 anyone?
The F-35 is a very expensive single-engined, single-seat, twin-ruddered flying dumpster fire.
ReplyDeleteMarine variant CANNOT...
ReplyDeleteRich P:
ReplyDelete"OK, so now we have a fighter that needs fighter escort."
Shades of the Luftwaffe Me210/410 Heavy Fighter (Bomber Interceptor).