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U.S. Refuses to Hand Over Fighter Source Code to UK
orbitalia writes "The UK is heavily involved in the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter program) but has recently considered abandoning the project because the US refuses to share the source code. The UK had intended to purchase $120 billion dollars worth of aircraft to operate on two new aircraft carriers, but is now seriously considering Plan 'B'. This is likely to be further investments in the Eurofighter Typhoon project." From the article: "It appeared that Tony Blair and George Bush had solved the impasse in May, when they announced an agreement in principle that the UK would be given access to the classified details on conditions of strict secrecy. The news was widely seen as evidence that the Prime Minister's close alliance with the American President did have benefits for Britain ... 'If the UK does not obtain the assurances it needs from the US then it should not sign the Memorandum of Understanding covering production, sustainment and follow-on development,' the MPs insisted."
Right, like the SU-27 is any match for the Raptor. Get a grip. And besides, even if the Russians had a competitive air superiority fighter, they don't have the most critical piece of air superiority - airborne command and control. Russians might be able to defend their airspace for a few days, but as for bieng able to project air power outside of Russia? No way.
The American military machine, touted as the strongest, most efficient, lethal, modern and advanced, has just got a beating from AK-47 wielding thugs of IRAQ. The sad thing is that it has takes three years and almost 3,000 coalition deaths for the military authorities to acknowledge this.
As opposed to how many terrorist/insurgents bagged? We take them out 10 to 1 or more. We're not getting our asses handed to us in Iraq, we're getting our asses handed to us by the American news media and the general impatience and lack of fortitude of the average American.
An urban insurgency nullifies some of the technological advantage of some weapons systems, but by no means does that mean weapons systems like the JSF and Raptor are worthless.
right and thats how you won against the vietcong. oh wait, they fucked you up remmeber?
If you mod me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine....
Air superiority, I dunno! One thing I know is that the Russians do not advertise themselves that much as compared to the Americans. Even when they were the *only* link to the ISS after the shuttle disasters, they were cool about everything. If Americans were in their place, they (Americans) would be "blowing their own trumpet." Look, just this evening, it was all over the news about the shuttle launch, but Russians do their thing quietly and without much fanfare.
When it comes to projecting power abroad, let's examine what the US is getting in terms of results:
- Veitnam? Heck, the US was whipped hands down! Talk to any American.
Americans have a problem. They think that if a country does not do things the conventional way, they that country is "not worth much." That's why they've been surprised in IRAQ. Mind you, IRAQ's command and control infrastructure was "destroyed" in the first two weeks of the war. So half of the mission was complete. Despite all the technology, IEDs are still hitting them hard. By the way, IEDs are 1940s technology.So you tell me how this power is really useful when widows and widowers are being created in IRAQ every single day. Tell me.
When I balance up the "equation", Americans do not have much to show for the almost 3,000 coalition lives lost so far.
We DON'T have a new tyranny. That's something.
Do we have a strong, stable ally? No. Are we going to do something about that? Yes. Will whatever comes out of the rubble respect the US military? Only if they don't want to fall as quickly as Saddam.
Fine you go into a fire fight with your dominant eye covered and hop on one leg. Lets see anyone in that position win a gun fight.
You mad
But the thing that puts Americans over the edge is the deaths of their troops?
Their invading troops. It's not like they were home on a leave.
Can someone be so kind as to explain that?
If you've ever heard a speech by any american politician, especially in the period right after 9/11, you're probably familiar with the term "american lives". Some lives are apparently worth more than others, and the american ones are at the top.
I think you are being culturally insensitive.
Maybe people from the UK are really fond of sheep.
Yeah. One American life is worth more than 20 non-American lives.
meh