@spudmanWp wrote: This may come as a shock, but the F-35A is cheaper than the Eurofighter, Rafale & even the F-15E while being less than $10 more expensive than the GripenE which is still a paper airplane. The fact is that there is no comparable fighter in existence or planned that is cheaper than the F-35.
btw, Your linked article is old news, especially the seat & computer stability issues. That is the problem with reading old articles as the items are usually being fixed before the article even comes out. Remember that the F-35 is still in development.
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OMG, your assertions re cost are laughable. Where do you get that the F-35 is cheaper than any of the jets you list? Any 10 year old child could prove you wrong with information freely available. See below:
https://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/articles/communiques/FighterCostFinalJuly06.pdf
Have you even read the Wikipedia entry for the F-35? Look at the unit cost and program cost.
https://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/articles/communiques/FighterCostFinalJuly06.pdf
Finally, FYI : A Gripen E demonstrator aircraft fitted with new sensor IRST (Infra Red Search and Track) completed its maiden flight in April 2014. The first test aircraft was rolled out in May 2016. So, sorry, sir, but you have proven yourself not worth debating. Anything from you will be ignored by me from here on in.
The F-35 is a horrendously overpriced and problematic flying piece of junk. The most expensive weapons system in U.S. history and this is what we get. People might want to read the link below, or any dozens of others telling the truth about this egregious jet.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3430571/From-ejector-seats-kill-computer-pilots-t-log-Pentagon-F-35-fighter-jet-report-reveals-massive-problems-facing-expensive-weapon-history.html
Re: “A Civilian Pilot Test-Drives the F-35”
One final link, for those interest, showcasing the F-35's continued woes from September 9th of 2016....
F-35 May Never Be Ready for Combat
Testing Report Contradicts Air Force Leaderships Rosy Pronouncements
http://www.pogo.org/straus/issues/weapons/2016/f-35-may-never-be-ready-for-combat.html