"Kevin Brooks" wrote in message
news

"Henry J Cobb" wrote in message
...

Why do we need three different versions of the F-35?

Because of differing operational requirments.


What are the service requirements that are driving these three versions?

From a quick perusal of the fecal material you spouted below, you are the
wrong person to be answering that question. So you have now gone from
lambasting the USN over LCS and DDX in the SMN group, and are now bringing
your "Henry Knows Best" schtick over here to RAM? And now you apparently
want to broaden your claims of intellectual and tactical superiority over
the professional service personnel responsible for these programs from the
USN to three of the four major services?


The Air Force's F-35A is the least expensive version and it requires
F/A-22s to clear the way

Where did you get that strange idea?

so the Air Force needs runways anyway. Because
the Air Force always needs permission slips to operate they can't assume
that their bases will be in the country next door so they need more
range than the F-35B offers.

Well, range is a key concern for most USAF platforms, but if it was
paramount then why is the USAF not buying the C model with its even longer
range?


The Navy needs a F-35C that won't break up during a high speed carrier
landing and they need greater range because they don't have these
"deals" with tanker builders like the AF does so they'll have to rely on
Super Hornet tankers.

Never heard of "joint operations", huh Henry? Heck, a lot of USN tanking
requirements during OEF were provided by *RAF* tankers, in addition to
(gasp!) USAF KC's.


The Marines are desperate to get their airpower on the ground as quickly
as possible in case the Navy pulls another Leyte Gulf on them and so
they're willing to accept a half-sized bombload on the S/VTOL F-35B.

Your blood sugar must be spiking again. The USMC wants the *STOVL*
capability (what the heck is "S/VTOL"?) to allow them to both provide air
support from vessels other than CVN's (thus improving their versatility as
a
force) and to allow them to establish air operations from ashore without
having to seize intact or build a complete airstrip--kind of
understandable
given their expeditionary nature.

Brooks
Not wanting to stir up a hornets nest, but don't USN/USMC aircraft use a
probe and drogue (like our RAF/RN) arrangement, with the USAF primarily
using a boom? If so, how easy is it to convert USAF tankers to allow
USN/USMC/RAF/RN operations? I know its been done, but wonder if there are
any significant penalties?