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Originally Posted by BlackArcher101
I'm liking the Gripen as well. I tend to stray away from the next best thing in tech in my self purchases, and frankly I question if it is at all needed anymore. I feel if we get to that point vs russia for example, it would be escalated to nuclear already. Then what's the point.
As well, feels like ordering a F35 would be like ordering the best tires you can buy for a vehicle, but you can only afford 3. Meanwhile, you can get tires that will suit your needs (Gripen) for cheaper, and get the full set and a spare.
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Right now that cost advantage or distinction is getting narrower.
The Gripen E has a price tag of about 85 million us per copy, the F35A for example is 78 million per copy and the cost of manufacturer is still decreasing. The Cost per hour for the F-35 by 2023 will reduce to 30,000 per flight hour. In theory the Gripen E is estimated about 8000.00 but that hasn't been verified.
Right now a large number of F-35 have been deployed, and the Israeli F-35's have seen combat.
I think that the F-35 has better survivability against a advanced anti-air network, better sensors and awareness and datalinking.
In terms of the manned unmanned argument. I doubt we see a totally autonomous air force for quite a while and it becomes a tricky proposition in the day and age of nation state hacking and cyber warfare. However one of the interesting future states is that the F-35 will be able to carry, launch control and network advanced drones.