Well sure, but that's why we don't want to give the social welfare spenders everything they ask for either. Heck, you don't want to give ME everything I'd ask for.

Regarding ground attack capabilities against conventional forces - there's the A-10 Thunderbolt, right? From what I understand, although it's not at all stealthy it's quite effective if you need to provide support against infantry, armor and bunkers. And it's very reliable and relatively inexpensive. Is there any need to replace it, for its role?

Another situation is taking out weapons and radar emplacements in fortified areas. Seems like something stealthy is best suited for that. The F-117 is a great example, but of course with it out of service now there needs to be a replacement. And we don't have anything right now (well, anything that they're letting us know about.) The B2 is overkill for the role, but perhaps the F-35 could do it quite well. Or even better, UAVs and cruise missiles?

A third role is air superiority - what the F-22 was designed for. For its additional cost, how much advantage does it have over F-35? What are we up against now, and what might we need to worry about for the next 20 years? What, for example, could China or Russia cook up if the stuff hits the fan? Seems like the only time we'd really ever need F-22 capabilities is a full-out WWIII.

 

Yes to all of that- and despite the A-10 only coming online in the mid-70's, the Air Force began deeming it "obsolete" less than 20 years later...right after Desert Storm, actually.

The JSF will continue to provide something that the Air Force does a pretty good job at - CAS (Close Air Support). Having two birds with ordnance on station within five minutes of the first call gives the word "support" a whole new and very welcome meaning.

Wish they'd keep the A-10, but other than the Air National Guard (I believe), they're already gone.

 

A-10s are still in service.. well, at least I see the 103rd Airlift Wing in CT flying them around every couple of months.

 

US needs only protect its interests. Right now the US is fighting a war against an enemy whose most powerful weapon is an IED. Whats the point of having the F22?
US should spend money on creating and supporting an ideology that the people in those countries can believe in and fight for. Thats the best weapon right now for the US.

 

Haha obviously you don't know my line of work. Thats ok I don't know yours either so we can agree to disagree as I would consider close air support something far different than ground pounding. Furthermore if we are so concerned w/ air-ground warfare a carrier capable aircraft would be far more useful. And I believe we have somewhat deviated from the intent of the thread.

 

lets save Lockheed too

 

I would much rather save Lockheed than GM.