Lockheed F-35 will go into full production as a multirole combat aircraft. The F-35 has had its problems. Different from the air superiority fighter F-22, which will end the production at 187 aircraft, it will perform air and ground attack. It is lighter and less powerful but may prove to use less fuel. The one issue that still besets the F-35 is noise and there are communities suing the Air Force for that reason alone.
Air Force, Fla. city do battle over F-35 (click here)
By Travis Griggs - Pensacola News-Journal via Gannett News ServicePosted : Monday Apr 6, 2009 13:23:27 EDT
All is not quiet in when it comes to putting the F-35 Lightning II fighter at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
The nearby city of Valparaiso has filed its second lawsuit trying to stop Eglin from becoming the home of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training program for Air Force, Navy and Marine Lightning II pilots and maintainers.
Air Force officials broke ground March 20 on a $250 million training complex, expected to bring 113 aircraft and more than 10,000 military members and dependents to the region when fully operational in 2016....
Secretary Robert Gates' new Defense Budget shows 'good will' in demonstrating the de-escalation of the USA's military might. How much military does the USA need in a world that is now framing itself on non-proliferation and peace? It might sound naive to the Neocons of the USA, but, having an effective military is all a nation needs if 'aggression' is taken out of the formula.
The new Defense budget demonstrates a better approach to Homeland Security in commissioning Littoral Combat Ships more capable of 'near shore' maneuvers. In other words, these smaller ships can patrol the region of 'near shore' for issues of security than any aspect of Navy Operations today. It has the capacity to deploy small craft as well as helicopters.
The new Presidential Helicopter has been cancelled.It isn't as though the Defense budget is puny, it is still a whooping $654.1 billion for the fiscal year 2009, however, it shows a clear path that downsizes elaborate programs that only cause 'escalation' in the international venues of weapon development.
If we are to be 'at peace,' it can be defined with a strong defense, HOWEVER, it does not mean the USA has to have a daughting military compared to none that only escalates concerns and mistrust between countries.
When military spending is trimmed in any country, the funding can be used for domestic purposes and improving the quality of life. If the USA is ALWAYS pushing the envelope for the simple reason of 'pushing the envelope' is causes other nations to do the same. If we are to believe in Non-Proliferation, we need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Cutting the USA military budget is a beginning to demonstrate our intent on de-escalating nation's military estates.
The 'lobbyists' are hard at work to scare Congressional members to demand the re-instatement of military spending. Write your Congressional Representatives to back Secretary Gates new budget.
Transformational Communications Satellite System (click here) removed from any budget allotment.
The TSAT program is 'reviewed' as being feasible, but, at what point do we stop being hideous about the ability of our military as compared to the abilities of the rest of the world?
I really think we'll be fine, especially in a project such as this that is still 'in concept' and not 'in use.'
I really don't want to hear how this is going to cost jobs. The decrease in military spending will enhance our national debt and allow for domestic spending on issues such as high speed magnetic rail. I am not going to argue the beleagured idea of sacrificing 'sane' transportation for the USA public that doesn't emit CO2. It's over. We need to go there. Perhaps we need to thank the military for finding ways to enhance the CIVILIAN life they protect.
