Pentagon ground all F-35s a month after USMC F-35B VSTOL crash

[UCFBS]

So, I'm probably one of the most critical people of the USAF itself, along with the F-35A push, and the reduction in capabilities -- from EW to CAS (even OV-10s are being pulled out storage to backfill the A-10 low readiness) to space (don't get me started). I cannot stand Pentagon scope creep and kitchen sink after-market engineering as well. Plus I've been extremely critical of the F-35C for the USN, including the USMC now buying some. And even if the USMC F-35B VSTOL serves a purpose, I have also been critical of the price/performance of the solution.

But as the Pentagon starts grounding F-35 planes, and the US media -- even right-leaning -- 'jumps on' military spending and alleged mis-management by contractors and the military alike, I do want to objectively point out several things.

1. The F-35 program, to date, has been the safest, single engine jet fighter to date
2. The F-35B VSTOL configuration was the configuration that crashed, the most accident-prone version, as the USMC A/V-8A VTOL and, later, A/V-8B VSTOL versions of the Hawker Harrier et al. lineage had the highest crash rates as well
3. Unlike the F-16, where the USAF, Pentagon, General Dynamics, et al. covered things up, continued to fly the F-16 while slowing fixing them, even blaming the pilots for multiple, "lawn dart in afterburner" type crashes, the Pentagon and all branches grounded the F-35 upon first review

So, as the US media, left and right, says various things ... I have to objectively give the Pentagon credit for "doing the right thing" here. It's an 180 degree change from what they did with the last, single engine fighter program ... the F-16.

 

[UCFWayne]

we should throw more money at that project.*