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was reading the lockheed liturature on the f-22. they were sighting a significant decrease in operational cost when compared to the f-15. If this is way is this arguement not used more when people complain about the upfront cost of the plane. If the cost over the life time of the plane are a fraction of a f-15 it seems it would be an easy sell. Or is it that like most government agencies the airforce has a maintenance budget and a procurment budget creating two distinct payor sources.

I don't know Matt. This cost thing is way to easy to fudge. Normal operating costs like fuel per flight have to be more for the F-22, so it must involve a lot of assumed maintenance hours in the claim. Or maybe they are saying that two F-22s do the work of three F-15s. You probably need to see the details to even make an intelligent comment. I would not bet the ranch on predicted cost comparisons. For instance, unscrupulous types could make any weapon look unreliable and expensive to operate by not funding spares. I would sell the F-22 on it's performance alone. It costs what it costs to be superior.

THE RAMPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Who cares if it works? Does it look good on the ramp?"

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I would also observe that Operational Costs opinioned right now by the pronoun people is based off of where it is at currently. Right now it is a Mother Hen Project, and therefore all the resources possibly available are being put forward to it. This is all going to change once several Squadrons have actually recieved and Have MQT'd and are actually conducting Missions with the aircraft. At that Point, Much of the teething problems are being refined by the Operational Units and the natural competitive efforts that Squadrons do to look good amongst their peers, will drive those costs down, and Or weed out allot of the pampering. The test Force will down scale, and the tech Reps from industry will be cut back. and Eventually it will be nothing more than another Dart on the Flight line.

All Jets were like this, Unfortunately This aircraft is not a 60's Legacy aircraft that was built on a slide rule, plumbers, Electricians and Machinests. This Jet has enourmous cost becasue of all the things future generations Learned and requested to maintain the Combat Edge.

The Cost is nothing more than a Fact of survival and getting the technology needed. Right now I have a Jet In my Hanger (homebuilt) that in essance is a rival to the T-38 and all Composite. Whiteside and his buddy are burning around in a Fouga Magistar for simple pleasure. it wont be long till theirs F16's sitting in enthusiest hands like the 50's-60's fighters are.

I saw a F-86 for 300K the other day. Very mint condition. At that time during the korean war it was the "Combat Edge" for our airforce.

Another Thing I would like to pass on is that All of these past programs, F15, F16, A10, F111, F14, F117, B1. Has always needed extra and supplemental funs from Congress for every year of the service life. To fund Upgrades, Reliability Issue, Weapon Systems, Training Support, Maintanence support.

I can absolutely guarantee you that the Operational Funding numbers that Are published are so far out of left field and the truth is, They are all very very expensive.

We all love to bet the bank and take risks on the first few months of ownership of a New car. Eventually The pronoun people will say ok...enoughs enough. Go earn your money.

"RickUSN-

That was intelligent and useful Mudd.

But it certainly is what Ive come to expect.

Mindless babbling with no intent to either enlighten or inform.

I watched an F-100 taxi/fly around El Paso on wed. It was a beautiful sight.

Wasn't that "W's" old plane?



Edited by - tritonal on Feb 11 2005 7:38 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I saw a F-86 for 300K the other day. Very mint condition. At that time during the korean war it was the "Combat Edge" for our airforce.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

When I was down in Kissimmee FLA for Christmas poking around airports I came across a perfect F-86 in a hanger adjacent to the "Stallion 51" operations. It was in display mode, with the empennage rolled back and the engine exposed. It must be privately owned.

http://www.stallion51.com

There was also a Czech L-39, another really flashy polished up P-51, and oh yeah, a Ferrarri in the hanger which looked to be owned by the Stallion 51 guys. Rich or poor, it's nice to have money.



THE RAMPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Who cares if it works? Does it look good on the ramp?"

_________________
????

rubb it in.

That is the same Folks that own it. Whiteside sent methe link.


The L39 is a fantastic aircraft a Friend of mine owns two of them in Vegas. They are allot of fun. one of the Best Jet Trainers to come out of Europe.

"RickUSN-

That was intelligent and useful Mudd.

But it certainly is what Ive come to expect.

Mindless babbling with no intent to either enlighten or inform.