"Henry J. Cobb" wrote in message
m...
Andrew C. Toppan wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 14:36:35 GMT, R. David Steele
wrote:

The F-35 is basically the same plane as the F-22. It has been
modified to be a carrier aircraft.

Huh? The F-35 is absolutely nothing like the F-22.

The F-35 was not "modified" to be a carrier aircraft, it was DESIGNED
AS a carrier aircraft.

And as Andrew well knows, only two of the three F-35 variants have
been designed to operate off of ships.

The F-35A is no more sutiable for shipboard service than the F/A-22
is.

It's a lot closer: The F-35A at least has a structure that won't pull apart
during a short arrested landing. Well, given its higher landing speed may
be not as short as the Navy's version, but one heck of a lot closer than a
F-22.