Naming Day . . .

[CaptnKirk]

The Official name is the:

Lightning II
(Check out the poster with the picture)

For the F-35 (JSF)

Well, tomorrow marks the official inaugration of the JSF Program, marking the naming of the F-35 Fighter.

ZAP - 'Lightning' is the name most think will be used for the christening, but there have been suprises before.
For example - the F-22 'Raptor' was rumored to be the 'Lightning' just before it was named.

Obvious reference to the 'Ol Reliable' P-38 Lightning of WWII fame from the history books of Lockheed Aircraft.

This in itself would break the longstanding tradition of the USAF for naming their aircraft after birds of prey, & returning to ambiguous references.

I was holding out for 'The Bluebird of Happiness' - complete with all it's devastating armament and weapons systems.

as in . . .

"May the Bluebird of Happiness fly up your nose"

 

[Lazy8s]

They should name it Freedom and get it over with

 

[CitizenKain]

F-35 Sleepy Weasel

 

[Termagant]

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
They should name it Freedom and get it over with

Maybe it will be Freedom Fighter II....

I think I would puke.

 

[Meuge]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
For the F-35 (JSF)

Well, tomorrow marks the official inaugration of the JSF Program, marking the naming of the F-35 Fighter.

ZAP - 'Lightning' is the name most think will be used for the christening, but there have been suprises before.
For example - the F-22 'Raptor' was rumored to be the 'Lightning' just before it was named.

Obvious reference to the 'Ol Reliable' P-38 Lightning of WWII fame from the history books of Lockheed Aircraft.

This in itself would break the longstanding tradition of the USAF for naming their aircraft after birds of prey, & returning to ambiguous references.

I was holding out for 'The Bluebird of Happiness' - complete with all it's devastating armament and weapons systems.

as in . . .

"May the Bluebird of Happiness fly up your nose"

They can name it "Already outdated waste of tens of billions of dollars" and be done with it.

 

[ayabe]

I think this whole program is a waste of money, they are trying to make an aircraft that does a lot of things but doesn't excel at any of them. This aircraft will eventually replace the A-10 in the close support role, which I'm sure to Marines and Army guys on the ground isn't something to be excited about.

 

[thraashman]

Just name it the "Better than Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and the Incredible Hulk put together"

 

[OrByte]

F-35 Ninja!!
so all the popular kid$ will want to own one!1!!

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: OrByte
F-35 Ninja!!
so all the popular kid$ will want to own one!1!!

LOL, they could seriously name it the Hayabusa...that's a bird of prey, right?

 

[Lazy8s]

Taepodong-3?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Taepodong-3?

Flight time/range is too long for such a label

 

[CaptnKirk]

The F-35 (JSF) is 'Officially' the:

Lightning II
(Check out the poster with the picture)

Inagurational Ceremony, Fort Worth, TX - 11:38 AM, July 7, 2006

 

[CycloWizard]

I think a lot of the nay-sayers are missing the point of these planes. No one will ever deal with us in an air-to-air battle again. Our superiority there is mind-boggling. We need versatility, which is exactly what these planes give us. We will still have all of the older planes if we really need them, but the bottom line is that the way combat will likely play out in the future, the utility of the aging aircraft will dwindle.

 

[ayabe]

Russia is developing new planes which will eventually be sold to the Chinese and pretty much any other country that hates us. The Russians also have an edge on us in missle technology. So I don't think it's a forgone conclusion that noone will ever challenge us in the air.

 

[DealMonkey]

Will that puppy fit in my garage? And what kinda MPG will I get?

 

[OrByte]

sure is a pretty plane

 

[SirStev0]

should have named it a blue-footed boobie

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
The F-35 (JSF) is 'Officially' the:

Lightning II
(Check out the poster with the picture)

Inagurational Ceremony, Fort Worth, TX - 11:38 AM, July 7, 2006

oops didnt read OP

 

[CitizenKain]

The Lightning II? What a stupid name.

 

[palehorse]

a damn nice jet...

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: ayabe
Russia is developing new planes which will eventually be sold to the Chinese and pretty much any other country that hates us. The Russians also have an edge on us in missle technology. So I don't think it's a forgone conclusion that noone will ever challenge us in the air.

Our air superiority has less to do with our fighter technology than it does with our ability to organize and manage air engagements. And so far, no other country has made a lot of progress in that area. Of course technology an important factor in combat, but it doesn't matter how many gizmos you've got if I sneak up behind you and bash your head in with a rock.

In any case, while Russia has certainly shown themselves to be good aircraft developers, I'm not sure how many of the countries that hate us have the money to buy a lot of shiny new airplanes or the ability to use them wisely. China is certainly an exception, but as a rule, the reason we have such a superior airforce is we're able to put the time, money and skill into running it. Simply having access to new technology isn't going to magically transform the crappy North Korean airforce into a great military power.