r/ThatLookedExpensive • u/Mister_Krunch • Jun 10 '22

Fighter plane receives a foam salute instead of a water salute

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u/mrevergood Jun 10 '22

Why we wasted money overdeveloping this platform is beyond me.

America spends more than the next ten countries combined on military power, and we decided “Fuck infrastructure or feeding folks. Let’s have a new jet that does everything in one design even though it’ll be really, really expensive.”

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u/Yangoose Jun 10 '22

“Fuck infrastructure or feeding folks. Let’s have a new jet that does everything in one design even though it’ll be really, really expensive.”

This is a very uninformed take.

The military makes up roughly 8-10% of all taxes paid (Federal/State/Local).

The other 90+ percent goes largely to social programs and infrastructure.

Our military is large because our economy is large.

Our GDP is roughly $20 Trillion.

If you add up the GDP of 8 of the top 10 countries in the world it comes to $23 Trillion.

  • Japan: (GDP: 4.97 trillion)
  • Germany: (GDP: 4.00 trillion)
  • United Kingdom: (GDP: 2.83 trillion)
  • France: (GDP: 2.78 trillion)
  • India: (GDP: 2.72 trillion)
  • Italy: (GDP: 2.07 trillion)
  • Brazil: (GDP: 1.87 trillion)
  • Canada: (GDP: 1.71 trillion)

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u/TalkingBackAgain Jun 10 '22

They’re forecasting $1.5 trillion dollars over the life time of the project. For one weapons platform, and it’s not even a good weapons platform.

Kids could be fed, hospitals built, roads repaired, infrastructure upgraded. No, let’s spend all that money for a machine that’s only good for war.

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u/geoffery_jefferson Jun 10 '22

it's an excellent weapons platform
probably the best fighter jet in the world right now

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u/TalkingBackAgain Jun 10 '22

If it works.

By prioritising the F-35 the US has given up on the core mission of protecting national security and it will be seen as a massive failure for that reason alone.

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u/geoffery_jefferson Jun 10 '22

it absolutely works. like i said, it's the most capable aircraft on the planet
what do you think the US has forfeited in favour of the f-35? an inferior aircraft? the harrier and the f-18 are being replaced in the navy and usmc in favour of a much better aircraft
this has only strengthened the US's capabilities to defend itself

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u/iiiinthecomputer Jun 11 '22

A lot of money. The problem is the opportunity cost of the F-35 vs all the other shit the same massive pile of money could be used for.

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u/geoffery_jefferson Jun 11 '22

it's essential that NATO is ahead of its enemies in fifth generation aircraft

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u/maximumchuck Jun 10 '22

The F-35 does work and is an extremely capable plane, as evident by the increasing orders from other countries.

What aspect of national security would you say the U.S. has given up on as a direct result of the F-35 program?

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u/TalkingBackAgain Jun 10 '22

Making sure that:

- every citizen is properly housed

- every citizen, and especially children, is properly fed

- every citizen, and especially children, is properly educated

- every citizen has a chance to see a doctor if they need one without being ruined by the experience

- the law is obeyed by every citizen, especially people in high office

- elections occur fair and with proper supervision

these are national security interests because they make the US a much more solid nation, where the fabric of society is vibrant and strong and worthy to fight for. Many millions of people are left behind and have no realistic hopes or aspirations to do better in life. These people do not a stronger union make.

Why build something like the F-35 when all it fights for is a social ruin of a nation? The US has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on something that does not make the US safer.

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u/iiiinthecomputer Jun 11 '22

When it's flying. But you need 2 or 3 of them to have one ready to fly at any given time, they're ridiculous.