Canada plans to buy NEW Fighter Jets - F-35 reported chosen

[Delthefunky]

The marine version is now on probation, partly because of the recent $78 billion pentagon spending cuts and problems with the aircraft. How does the marine version differ from the AF version? Carrier capabilities?

Just wondering how this effects the AF version if at all.

[calumniate]

Isn't the U.S. cutting their budget and moving towards drone implementations?

We should just do the drone thing, not that it's not totally evil. But it would save all kinds of money on fuel consumption and salary

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

The marine version is now on probation, partly because of the recent $78 billion pentagon spending cuts and problems with the aircraft. How does the marine version differ from the AF version? Carrier capabilities?

Just wondering how this effects the AF version if at all.

I think thats the B version where they have STVOL capabilities. Should not affect the A version... Just anyone interested in the harrier capabilities.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

The marine version is now on probation, partly because of the recent $78 billion pentagon spending cuts and problems with the aircraft. How does the marine version differ from the AF version? Carrier capabilities?

Just wondering how this effects the AF version if at all.

The Marine version (F-35B) has STOVL capabilities (similar to the Harrier), making it by far the most complex of the F-35 variants. The naval version (F-35C) has added features for catapult takeoffs and arrestor hook landings. The Air Force version (F-35A) has neither and is furthest along in development.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Isn't the U.S. cutting their budget and moving towards drone implementations?

We should just do the drone thing, not that it's not totally evil. But it would save all kinds of money on fuel consumption and salary

Drones are not an adequete replacement for fighters or coastal defense.

And no the U.S. is not mothballing its fighter fleet anytime soon.

[worth]

Hey, remember that great idea we had when we were going to get rid of our Leopards for Stryker Brigades? Maybe we should follow through with that! Then we can scrap the F-35 idea and just go with drones. Look out AStan!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by worth

Hey, remember that great idea we had when we were going to get rid of our Leopards for Stryker Brigades? Maybe we should follow through with that! Then we can scrap the F-35 idea and just go with drones. Look out AStan!

Hey Leave the Stryker's alone, how many times do I have to tell you that the Elmer Fudd style shooting system, top heavy turret design, and Wyle E Coyote combat capabilities are just what this country needs.

[Madman]

Liberals planning to buy Super Hornet fighter jets before making final decision on F-35s, sources say
The Liberal government is intent on buying Super Hornet fighter jets, according to multiple sources.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet reportedly discussed the issue last week, and while no formal decision was taken, one top-level official said: “They have made up their minds and are working on the right narrative to support it.”

Rather than a full replacement of the air force’s aging CF-18 fighter fleet, it’s believed the purchase will be labelled an interim measure to fill what Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has warned is a pending “gap” in Canada’s military capabilities.

The Liberals promised during the election campaign not to buy the F-35 to replace the CF-18s. But the government has been struggling with how to fulfil that promise for fear any attempt to exclude the stealth fighter from a competition will result in a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit, according to one senior Defence Department official.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/na...132/story.html

[speede5]

This will be interesting.

[Northendzone]

things worked out so well the last time the liberals got involved and paid not to buy aircraft (helicopters)

[PsYcNeT]

Jfc what kind of ludicrous contract did the Cons sign that says "yeah we can deliver 7 years late and they won't fly in the rain but if you don't allow us to demonstrate our non-flying overpriced garbage plane, we can sue you"?

That's foresight.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Jfc what kind of ludicrous contract did the Cons sign that says "yeah we can deliver 7 years late and they won't fly in the rain but if you don't allow us to demonstrate our non-flying overpriced garbage plane, we can sue you"?

That's foresight.

you didn't read the article did you?

Its not due to any contract term, but due to the ruling of a federal trade tribunal that would open the door to the lawsuit.

My lack of trust with the government is that they're going to be buying a end of life platform, and calling it temporary, but these things have a way of stretching into permanent and job completed. There's also the mistake of thinking that the transition to the Superhornet should be easy because you know its a hornet. But its a completely different aircraft.

Its fine if they're going to buy the Hornet and use them as base planes without costly canadianization and immediately announce the opening of the competition to buy the next generation of Canadian fighters.

But right now my sense is that this is replacing your dying Honda civic, with a slightly newer Honda civic, and then when it comes time for dad to buy you a new car so you can drive to college, he goes, naw that Honda civic that I bought you for $500.00 bucks is fine, now here's a nylon and a socket set, good luck for the next 20 years.

Hey I hear there are some biplanes for sale that are crop dusters, we could probably mount sidewinders on those puppies.

[Redliner]

^^^ This. Captain nailed it.

If this truly is a stop-gap measure then fine, but Liberal governments, when it comes to the military, tend to take a bare bones approach and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this become their "solution" to the problem.

I really don't see a good way out of the F-35 mess - and unfortunately, it has become a real mess. Open competition or not, there is zero chance Canada buys anything other than an American (or "joint") constructed plane. We are so integrated with the US strategically that it would cost us much, much more in the long run to build an air force with European planes.

[PsYcNeT]

Or we could make a transition to a defense-only military and not buy crap made to blow up brown people in a country none of us will ever see.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Or we could make a transition to a defense-only military and not buy crap made to blow up brown people in a country none of us will ever see.

There's no such thing, also we are part of multiple defense pacts which means deployments are going to happen.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Or we could make a transition to a defense-only military and not buy crap made to blow up brown people in a country none of us will ever see.

damn, so edgy bro

[Stealth22]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Or we could make a transition to a defense-only military and not buy crap made to blow up brown people in a country none of us will ever see.

While we're at it, why don't we take away all of the military's weapons and give them pitchforks and Nerf guns? A kayak can double as a naval frigate, right?

Like CaptainCrunch said, Canada has obligations to uphold with NORAD and NATO.

As for your defense-only idea, what exactly do you intend to "defend" our airspace with? Relying on the Americans to send F-16's across the border? Imagine the can of worms that would open!

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by nik-

damn, so edgy bro

Be Car3Fu1 U doN'T xXxCuTxXx urSelF!!

[Azure]

If it is truly a stop gap approach, I think its worth it.

Just reading about the state of military procurement in Canada gives me a headache.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Azure

If it is truly a stop gap approach, I think its worth it.

Just reading about the state of military procurement in Canada gives me a headache.

I moved from headache to exploding head syndrome a long time ago.