Re: Wing Nuts_F35 Cost Overruns...Outrageous
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jethro3898</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYpatriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Usually if it looks good it will fly good... </div></div>
Kelly Johnson lived by this point.
If you want to read an amazing book discussing how the government involvement in the development phases of an aircraft program can completely sidetrack its progress, read "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich.
It discusses the development of the U-2, SR-71 and F-117 and how each "generation" brought about more government oversight and the problems it caused. The stories from napkin to flying prototype of each airplane is amazing. I think the time frames involved in getting the U-2 and SR-71 into the air will blow your mind. Compare those airplanes' durations to the F-117 and the F-117 to the F-22 and F-35 and you will see how far gone things are now. </div></div>
Skunk Works is a damn good read. Every time I read of a new aircraft in development and all the associated bullshit cost overruns I think of that book. The F-35 should be scrapped right now and production of the F-22 resumed, to be exported to our closest allies Australia, Taiwan, Britain, Japan, and Israel. Cost would be cut and the more of those in the sky, the better off we are in those regions.
just my .02