Game-changing JSF deserves showcasing at Farnborough - Air Force Community - Air Force Times

Game-changing JSF deserves showcasing at Farnborough

The U.S. is not taking the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to England’s Farnborough International Air Show, one of the two biggest trade shows in the world for the air defense industry.

It’s a decision the Pentagon will come to regret.

The JSF is the Defense Department’s most expensive weapons system — as much as $382.4 billion — and quite possibly will become its only fighter in production in the next five years.

Admittedly, the F-35 is over budget and behind schedule, but it also will change the way air forces do business once the program is back on track.

No other aircraft does all of what the single-engine, stealth F-35 is designed to do: close-air support, tactical bombing, air defense.

When all is said and done, the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will own just shy of 2,500 JSFs. And nine friendly nations — most notably the United Kingdom, the host country of Farnborough — have a stake in the F-35.

The other JSF partners will be at the air show, making it all the more important that the U.S. attend. Why should others have confidence in the F-35 if the Pentagon doesn’t?

Could something go wrong? Sure. From a glitch to a crash, there’s risk every time any plane takes off.

On June 3, 1977, an A-10 Thunderbolt II crashed at the Paris Air Show, killing Fairchild chief test pilot Howard “Sam” Nelson. The A-10 was newer than the F-35 is today. Still, the crash had no effect on the A-10 program.

The F-35 needs to have a debut like the F-22 did two years ago at Farnborough. The Raptor flew a flawless performance, signaling to the world that it was ready to fly.

Critics dismiss Farnborough and Paris, which alternate years, as crass showcases for arms merchants.

They are trade shows, to be sure. They exist so manufacturers can demonstrate military and civilian aircraft to potential buyers.

But Farnborough and Paris are also stages where influential people can see the accomplishments of America’s military men and women.

When a new Air Force jet appears, it carries the U.S. flag for all of our airmen.

Not flying the F-35 at Farnborough does a disservice to American ingenuity and the steadfastness of the U.S. military, particularly the airmen who are helping set up the first F-35 squadrons at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Opportunities to show off the world’s greatest air power don’t come along often. Defense officials missed an easy one when they bypassed Farnborough. Let’s hope they don’t make the same mistake next year with Paris.

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Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, last attended the Farnborough air show in 1996. His new book, “Mission to Berlin,” will be published by Zenith Press in March. Readers can write Dorr at robert.f.dorr@cox.net.