The F-35 is a state-of-the-art fighter aircraft designed to replace many of the older US aircrafts.
It was the most expensive program of the country’s defense industry. The aircraft is ‘invisible’ and has state-of-the-art technology. The price of each unit is around 100 million US dollars. Another disadvantage is that it is heavy since it reaches 25 tons. Still, its advanced technology needs maintenance, which costs time and a lot of money. And it also has reliability issues.
Experts say the F-35 is like a Ferrari. It is expensive, requires maintenance and is not practical for everyday use. So they analyze that the US Air Force needs a fighter that is simple and light in order to be used for simpler missions as it used to be the F-16.
But the issue with the F-16, although it is an excellent and light aircraft, is not invisible and can not be upgraded with new technology.
Experts simply believe that the US Air Force needs a simple, cheap and light aircraft for ‘hard’ work.
[Source: http://www.forbes.com]
