Boeing touts fighter jet to rival F-35 — at half the price

Super Hornet less stealthy, but has lower sticker price and operational costs.F-35 is not suited for blue water ops................one engine...........................................just me.

A quote from the chief test pilot for the Super Hornet.

'Twin engines, dual redundant hydraulics … those are the things I don't want to give up in flying to remote places or even in combat, because those are the things that'll bring you home.'—Super Hornet chief test pilot Ricardo Traven

 Something to think about??????????????? I do believe so. It is the best aircraft we have available that is in full rate production. Capable and with the right avionics package an excellent fit.........................just me. Keep in mind I am an old Navy Air Airframer.........................

Hit the link and read for yourselves....................................

http://desertf16apg.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/boeing-touts-fighter-jet-to-rival-f-35-at-half-the-price/  

I have become a fan of the Super Hornet over the last few years. The Legacy Hornet was not the best platform due to payload and combat radius issues.  

Navy admiral hints at jettisoning F-35 fighter - Washington Times

 

Washington Times from July. With the arresting hook being a bit short and other such problems, one does have to wonder.
But keep in mind that it is from July and the Aide has his take on the situation as well.
As always, make up your own mind.

Navy admiral hints at jettisoning F-35 fighter - Washington Times

F-35 Lightning II News

U.S. Navy and U.K. Royal Navy F-35 unable to get aboard ship.

We have the F-16C and D blocks 52 and 60 in production but those are for other countries. We are not buying any Fighting Falcons for the US Air Force.

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E & F are in full rate production for the Navy and soon the Marine Corps and will fit the bill nicely in the multi role capacity. It is constantly being improved to be more competitive in the world market.......But perhaps we should think about it for our Forces. The F-16s in service have been through multiple overhauls and some almost complete rebuilds. It was initially designed as a light weight fighter for air to air only and it was to be, essentially, a throw away airplane.

Gonna be interesting to say the least.

http://www.f-16.net/news_article4494.html

NAS Lemoore Air Show

Actually it is called the Central Valley Air Show. It is a good one. The show has been absent for seven years. This being the Centennial of Naval Aviation, it was almost a priority. I have fond memories of this place as we were there from June of 1985 to March of 1989. I started in the A-7 Fleet Replacement Squadron, VA-122 now VFA-122 operating the various versions of the F/A-18 Hornet. That is the legacy jets A/B/C/D and the Super Hornets, the E and F.
Saw the Super Hornet fly. I am impressed. My friend who was an F-15 Crew Chief during his hitch in the regular Air Force was impressed with the Super Hornet. Said it was a better jet than the F-16s we currently crew at Edwards. Says a lot from an Air Force guy.
So for your enjoyment, here we go! And Buck there is one in here just for you, my friend!!!!!!

In front of the Argonaut Maintenance Spaces. Back some twenty six  years ago or so,  it was VA-147. A long time past. Yeah, sometimes I miss it, still. Sometimes terribly.

Thought you all would like these. Unfortunately, The Argonauts did not have a booth for stuff. I did get a VFA-122 CONA T shirt and a Carrier Air Wing Two Ball Cap along with a couple of pins, a T-2 Buckeye and an A-7 Corsair II. Memories and during a most  significant year...........that being Our Centennial. I will always address Naval Aviation related things in the We. Navy Air for Life.

A mix of the old and the new. Of interest are the REAL Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", the F8F Bearcat, the F-16N from the Strike Air Warfare Center at Fallon with Navy and Marine on it. There is the jets, old and new and the California Air National Guard F-16 from Fresno.
I saw the F/A-18 Super Hornet fly.....I had never seen one before, just the Legacy Hornets as they were around while I was in from mid career to the end.
When I arrived at NAS Lemoore that summer of 1985, there were only three Hornet Squadrons, VFA-25, VFA-113 and the FRS VFA-125. By the time I left in March of 1989, the A-7s were gone.......all replaced by the Hornet.................
And now the Super Hornet is replacing the Legacy Hornet(A/B/C/D) as well as the new EA-18G slowly replacing the Venerable and Most Reliable Grumman EA-6B Prowler as the Electronic Attack Platform. I will never use the "N" word as is the new corporate name due to that merger. Just can't do it........too many years in the A-6E Intruder, the finest attack aircraft ever to serve.