The F-35 Is Still the Worst Military Investment Ever

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a38448/f-35-worst-military-investment/



The F-35 Is Still the Worst Military Investment Ever
Oct 1, 2015 @ 11:53 AM
By Charles P. Pierce

It's been a while since we checked in on the F-35, the Flying Swiss Army Knife, which may be a floor wax or a dessert topping, but which sure as hell isn't an viable aircraft, but is one of the epic money pits of all time, even by Pentagon standards, which are higher than the plane thus far has been able to get off the ground. How are things going, anyway?

~snip~

So a the next generation of American combat aircraft performs spectacularly as long as it isn't armed with anything and as long as it has, say, the vacated Bonneville Salt Flats on which to land. Is it unpatriotic to suggest that they ought simply to paint a big red nose on the front of each one of these lemons and rent them out to Hollywood disaster movies and kids parties? At least then the Pentagon might get back some of the $1 trillion goddamn dollars that the GAO says building this turkey is going to cost us, assuming this project ever ends.

~snip~

The Warthog is a truly beloved and useful aircraft. The F-35 is a jobs program, and a contractor's grand EBT card, and a costly one at that. (Among its other distinctions, it was one of the last things that drove Barney Frank up the wall before he left Congress.) Pilots have their doubts, as well.​

~snip~

So, any of you fat guys out there dreaming of being fighter jocks, have we got a plane for you. Seriously, does anything on this plane actually work? They should sell each one of them on a lot with "$185 million. No Money Down." soaped on the canopy windows.​