On 5/22/04 12:00 PM, in article
et, "Thomas Schoene"
wrote:


No, I'm not denying that it's overweight. However, I'm questioning whether
the weight issue is as bad as presented. Planes are *always* overweight at
this point in the design process. I think the reports tend to confuse the
current design weight with the final target weight. If it's 3000 pounds
over now, that does not mean it will be 3000 pounds over at IOC.


I get snippets from folks in the program quite often. It won't necessarily
be 3000lbs over at IOC. That's what they're working on right now... Trying
to trim the excess.

In fact, the 3000 lbs is mostly due to the lift fan machinery on the
B-model. A and C models aren't suffering as much. I think I may have
mis-spoken on that point earlier.


Presto, a 2000-lb weight savings.

Presto! Diminished striking capability for a STOVL aircraft... How
novel.

Shrug. That's why STOVL isn't suitable for all users. The Marines don't
necessarily need big bombs; smaller ones are actually more appropriate for
most CAS missions. As long as it can haul the 8 x 250-lb small-diameter
bombs they're talking about, the plane is well-armed for CAS.

Talked to some Brits that were in town last week. They made the same case.
It's an obvious solution.

Frankly, what might work better though would be to (here goes the crazy
rant...)

BRING BACK THE INTRUDER!!!

Imagine being able to carry 22 x 500 lb JDAM on smart 1760-compatible MER's
in your very own SWIP Block 1A jet... Doing the work of 5 F-35's with one
airframe (at least in the last conflict).

Sorry about the insanity. Couldn't help it.

--Woody