wrote in message
ups.com...

Diamond Jim wrote:

No why should they have ramps. They Navy doesn't have ramps on the
Amphibs
when the Marines deploy the Harriers on them. The F-35B's deployed on
the
carrier would most likely be used as air to ground attack aircraft with
the
Navy F-35C's doing the air to air/ fleet protection mission. Besides
they
may still put some kind of catapult launch system on the F-35B (bridle
?).

I cannot agree with the opinion that F-35C is going to be the
air-to-air aircraft, and F-35B air-to-ground aircraft. Right, Marine
squadrons are better specialized in CAS for their troops on the ground,
but this is also the the mission usually performed by Navy aircraft
nowadays (though sometimes called in a bit different way).

After the Cold War ended, and considering the fact most attack aircraft
of nowadays are strikefighters, the need for air-to-air seems to be
decreasing. Also such a division like you told about would deny current
TACAIR integration concept of mission-commonality.

Kind regards,
Jacek


Oh really! When did the need for a CAP over the fleet disappear? Don't you
still need a BARCAP to protect the attack aircraft, no matter how unlikely
opposition from air to air is? Just because an aircraft such as the F-35 can
perform both missions, doesn't mean that it can do both at the same time,
with 100% effectiveness. If the aggressor can make you jettison all or part
of your bomb load, why that defeats the attack doesn't it?

Remember such pearls of wisdom from the past as these and many others;

Lord Cardigan the Russian battery at the end of the valley is the object of
attack. The reply of Lord Cardigan was, "Very good, sir." To the Light
Brigade he then gave the word of command, "The Brigade will advance."

General Custer said "Leave the gatlin guns with the supply wagons; they are
just slowing us down".

OK lads. Over the top and lets go get them Turks! (Gallipoli)

Well if the radios are out because of static, send the warning to Pearl
Harbor by Western Union.

We don't need guns on fighters; missiles will do the job now.

"The foam coming off the tanks isn't a problem for the shuttle".