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Point of order - the F-22 was the Raptor, the JSF is the F-35. I say "was" for the F-22 because there is not currently any funded production. In any case, I assume you are talking about the JSF.
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Yep, I stand corrected.
I read an article about a year and a bit ago that was talking about the "buy American" clause, and how the cost of aluminum (boxite ore specifically) from Canada was significantly cheaper and it would drive up the cost of military aviation by about 30% (IIRC) if contractors had to exclusively buy US-made Aluminum.
If the F-22 and Comanche helicopter had stayed in manufacture, the point would have been further underscored.
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Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Friend Griff
And any miitary spending should be 98% American manufactured. That means every step of the way should be american manufactured from raw materials to finished product. We should not rely on any potential enemy for our military needs (and yes Canada is a potential enemy).
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I understand your point, but a few caveats:
- Buying exclusively US-made materials would increase costs astronomically.
- Increasing costs for available items would cripple future development.
- It would drink your available oil supply dry.
- It would further drive up costs for civil purposes as resources dry up.
Titanium, Magnesium, Aluminum (Boxite), Manganese, Tungsten, Iridium, Tin, Platinum.... these are all major components of military use metals. Most of them are not available in sufficient quantity or quality within the USA or its protectorates and territories. Sorry man, that 98% mark is unrealistic.
Point of fact: the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft's airframe and fuselage plating is made from Titanium sourced 100% from the USSR at the height of the cold war. No other metal easily found in the US could make the grade, so it was sourced at pretty hefty expense.
The only 2 tangible benefits you could glean from the 98% mark would be that lower reserves of X resource would force innovation, and recycling of metal would improve efficiency in manufacture/re-manufacture.
Canada Exempt from "Buy American" policy
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