tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post8414074504635956415..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Not Dead YetGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-34074352175209291682009-06-18T11:43:20.765-04:002009-06-18T11:43:20.765-04:00The original ATF proposal was around 750 aircraft....The original ATF proposal was around 750 aircraft. The continued reductions in procurement inevitably drove the cost up and provided fuel for further cuts as the outrageous numbers put forth meant less funding for ACORN. <br /><br />A total buy of 187 aircraft is ludicruous in terms of supportability. With OT&E aircraft, training coded birds, periodic maintenance schedules and normal (much improved from developmental) in-commission rates, you wind up with something life four deployable squadrons. That is a tactical force for a third world country. <br /><br />Having a force multiplier is one thing, expecting exponential multiples is something much different.Ed Rasimushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13667325554289268659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-122793298321093782009-06-18T04:39:56.785-04:002009-06-18T04:39:56.785-04:00I hope the do build additional F-22 aircraft. With...I hope the do build additional F-22 aircraft. With the announced early retirement of F-15 A-D Eagles and F-16’s we do not need to disarm the tactical Air Force any more than it already has been in some cases because of the F-22’s cost.<br />The F-35 is still someone dream, at least the Raptor seems to working out even though the FMC rates according to one of General Schwartz’s speeches early this year are very similar to the early days of the F-15 even with the LO maintenance factored out.<br />An additional 75-to 100 airframes would represent a more credible Air-to-Air deterrence over the next twenty years than a 186-plane fleet.billmillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01935148113752374830noreply@blogger.com