PHOTO: The 4,500th (four-thousand-five-hundredth) F-16...

[stratofreighter]

...should be delivered this Tuesday...

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/01 ... ivery.html

Please do check the photos in the link above as well!

[stratofreighter]

Photos now at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedma ... 897188588/
and
http://www.key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=50 ... n=military

[regi]

the obvious question is now why to put so much money in the F-35.
While most of the job against Lybia was done by F-16's.

[smokejumper]

the obvious question is now why to put so much money in the F-35.
While most of the job against Lybia was done by F-16's.

why develop the F-35? New threats, increased electronics capabillity, stealth, etc.

Yes the F-16, F-18, etc. all have a lot of useful life remaining, but newer capabilities can not be fitted to the airframe. That said, I don't beleive anyone forsaw the painnful and costly growing pains the F-35 has encountered.

[regi]

the obvious question is now why to put so much money in the F-35.
While most of the job against Lybia was done by F-16's.

why develop the F-35? New threats, increased electronics capabillity, stealth, etc.

Yes the F-16, F-18, etc. all have a lot of useful life remaining, but newer capabilities can not be fitted to the airframe. That said, I don't beleive anyone forsaw the painnful and costly growing pains the F-35 has encountered.

The Polish did

[earthman]

And over 3000 still flying.