F/A-18E/F vs. F-35

Boeing F/A-18E/F:
Total program cost: $48.09 billion
Flyaway cost: $60.9 million

Max range: 1,800 Nautical miles
Max cruise altitude: 50K feet
Cruise spped (nominal): 1,034 knots
Cruise speed (long range): 1,034 knots

Engines: GE F414-GE-400 Twin Turbofans, 88,000 lbf maximum thrust
Weight: 32,081 lbs empty, 66,000 lbs max
Payload capacity: 34,000 lbs
Fuel volume: 4,467 gal

Armements: 1 AIM-120 AMRAAM, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, 1 20mm cannon, external detachable fuel tank



Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Total program cost: $1.0165 trillion (projected over 55 years)
Flyaway cost: $124.8 mil to $156.8 mil

Max range: 1,200 Nautical miles
Max cruise altitude: 60K feet
Cruise spped (nominal): N/A*
Cruise speed (long range): N/A*

*Current issues with development stem from engine problems, no data available

Engines: Pratt & Whitney F135 Single turbfan
Avionics package: CATbird (AN/PG-81 AESA-radar, EOTS)
Weight: 29,300 lbs empty, 70,000 lbs max
Payload capacity: 18,000 lbs
Fuel volume: 18,480 lbs

Armements: 2 internal modular weapon bays, 4 underwing hardpoints, 2 near wingtip hardpoints, capabilities of mounting AIM-120 AMRAAM BVR AAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-132 ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles , Storm Shadow cruise missile, AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) cruise missile, and guided bombs.




All in all, you have what was considered a transitional generation fighter turning out to be an airforce staple, and a masterpiece of mankinds ingenuity that turned out to be the proverbial wings of Icarus. In my opinion, as great of an idea as the F35 may be, it seems the F/A18 is the better option for now. The F35 seemed like it tried going to far ahead of it's time without realize it was already years behind. Some military experts say we'll see mass produced low-orbit military craft before the F35 program is ready.

Attachment 11999
i like this idea better , one of my fav jets of all time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjNA1d7Q0a0

If only the Americans didn't shut it down, the current generation of Arrows would be far superior to the current model of MiG used by most enemy nations. Plus, it would be nice for us Canadians to have something like that to be proud about. Sure we have amazing training, but all the innovation in military arms is coming from European countries.

we sold to many F/A 18's for them to hold any weight at this point as we sell to whoever has the biggest wallet. Plus the US needed something to closer match the EuroFighter, hence where the F22 Raptors come to play. Problem with the F22's is they are extremely expensive to maintain due to materials used as well as poorly built as most pilots are scared of the F22 due to the horror stories they've experienced or had with them.

Sent from my outdated junk to your outdated junk

The only problem with the F-22 is the oxygen supply. Fix that and they're golden.

The issue with the F-35 is that they want it to do everything under the sun. Every branch wants their own variant and that takes time to develop and work the kinks out of.