Navy endorses single-engine F-35 fighter

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 9:24 PM Share

Uh-oh. This reeks of desperation. When was the last time the Navy bought a single engine aircraft for its carriers? Was it the F-4 Corsair? (Actually those things had a great range, durable too: One Marine pilot famously knocked down a Japanese plane after his guns jammed by flying his big propeller into the enemy aircraft's tail and chopping off. Then he flew home.)

According to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead recently pronounced, "I'm in the one engine camp."

I hope the planes carry good life jackets.

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BRETT

9:30 PM ET

July 29, 2009

That's what happens when you

That's what happens when you put all your fighter hopes for the future into one single basket (especially one that's still got Development Hell in its future).

TOM RICKS

1:00 AM ET

July 30, 2009

A comment from Navy Lt. Jonas Akins

Sir,

Hello from Baghdad again. I tried to register and login to leave a comment on your piece on the "single-engine" F-35, but the software didn't recognize my login attempts. The F-35 has been the single-engine since it was designed, this isn't a new "capability." What the CNO is lobbying against is the introduction of a second manufacturer of that single-engine, which, may, as I understand it, be a politically-motivated maneuver to ensure that more federal defense dollars go to more defense contractors. The current variant is powered by a Pratt and Whitney, but I believe a GE/Rolls Royce consortium is trying to continue the development and eventual purchase of a second
(single-engine) engine.

Incidentally, the Navy does currently operate a single-engine aircraft on carriers, during quite a significant phase of the aviation training pipeline. The T-45 GOSHAWK is used for initial carrier qualifications by Student Naval Aviators.

v/r,
JPA

WALKING WOUNDED

2:27 PM ET

July 30, 2009

'First we take Manhattan'

by killing the F22.

Then we drive up the USAF cost on the F35 JSF by forcing carrier capability, which is what pushed the last joint fighter (F-18) into a poor performance corner. This time we make the silk scarves purchase first.

Then we Beat Army.

Seriously, Best Defense has been whining for carrier UAV. I'm guessing the JSF has skynet terminator capabilities, able to pull more G's, loiter or carry another JDAM if the pilot flies his probe from a CIC annex.

That would leave fewer John McCains behind for son of Rambo and son of Bragg to go looking for.

JBMOORE61

10:18 PM ET

July 29, 2009

last single engine naval fighter

The Vought F-8 Crusader may have been the last single engine naval aircraft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-8_Crusader#Specifications_.28F-8E.29). You are right about the F4U incident. The pilot's name was Marine Lieutenant Robert R. Klingman of the VMF-312 Checkerboards.

RUBBER DUCKY

10:25 PM ET

July 29, 2009

Single-engine tail-hook

Single-engine tail-hook aircraft since the first Corsair? Try the A-1 Skyraider. Or the A-4 Skyhawk. Or the A-7 Corsair II. Or the F-8 Crusader. Or the first version of the SH-2 Seasprite. C'mon Tom, this is pretty basic.

And tell me a whole lot more about the mechanics, electronics, propulsion, and operational characteristics of the proposed F-35 before we write it off because it has only as many engines as your car. (Oh wait! Is that a problem too?)

You've put this submariner in the position of backing up a surface skimmer (Gary Roughhead) on a naval aviation issue. Oh the humanity!

TOM RICKS

10:54 PM ET

July 29, 2009

Thanks

Just checking if you were awake out there. Seriously, that is why I asked. It has been years since I really covered anything in the Navy or Air Force. Six, to be precise.

MIYAF

8:04 AM ET

August 1, 2009

Our defense team maintains

Our defense team maintains security and freedom. However, defense spending is known to need major cuts, especially now, when one of a new military pet project is called brain optimization. Brain optimization would literally mean affecting brain activity in order to enhance memory capabilities to recall key information at appropriate times – in other words, mind control. This is a project of DARPA, the Pentagon's far out research arm, who aim to equip troops with devices that will synch up brain waves. Defense spending, including projects like brain optimization, is responsible for the bulk of the national debt of the US, perhaps our Congress should start cutting these sorts of programs when Americans need no fax payday loans for basic medical care, housing, or in some cases, even food.