"R. David Steele" wrote in message
...

| Should we be thinking of using the FB-22 Raptor as a replacement
| for the F/A-18 (and the F-14)? I know that the current F-22 was
| not designed to be heavy enough for naval use, but it could be
| re-engineered. They are planning to bring the FB-22 (bomber
| version that carries 30 2000 lbs bombs) online in the future.
| Why not upgrade it then?
|
|There are stresses from carrier ops that just aren't allowed for
|in the design of Air Force fighters, mainly having to do with the
|landing and arrestment. Unless the plane is designed with these
|forces from the start, you basically have to redesign the plane's
|frame (which means moving dang near *everything*) to get it
|ready.

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

Not really, the F-35 has half the engines, is significantly smaller and
was designed from the get-go as a carrier plane. They share a family
resemblance but that's it.

| Also why not market the C-17 to the air freight community?
|
|The C-17 was marketed to commercial users with the government
|offering incentives. The plane has design elements for its
|military missions that make it less economical to operate in
|the civilian world that civil designs.

What is its civilian reference.

I don't know off hand. I don't even remember seeing it referred to
as any thing other than a C-17, not to say it didn't have another
marketing name, just that it made no impression on me.