What do we name the Lockheed-Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)?
Given the tragedy our country experienced on 9/11 and the ongoing effort to resurrect ourselves and conduct the Global War on Terrorism I thought naming it, The Phoenix, would be appropriate. Moreover there are significant societal, figurative and physical similarities that make the name a good candidate.
Societal. The Phoenix is a mythical bird that periodically burned itself to death and emerged from the ashes as a new Phoenix. According to most stories, the rebirth of the Phoenix happened every five hundred years. Only one Phoenix at a time. To "rise Phoenix-like from the ashes" is to overcome a seemingly insurmountable setback. Seems our country is in the process of doing this. I would think that all those families, friends, firefighters and police officers that suffered directly at the hands of the terrorists might appreciate an airplane acknowledging America's enduring spirit in the face of adversity.
Figurative. Another similarity is related to the plot of the movie, "The Flight of The Phoenix". In the movie a cargo plane crashes in the Libyan Desert. When it becomes apparent to the survivors that they are beyond any hope of rescue and have no other choice, they go ahead with a bold idea to construct a new plane by cannibalizing parts of the old one – a race against the elements and interpersonal conflicts. The F-35 will be built for the specifications of three services as well as the British (note), using commonality and interchangeable elements to the extent possible. It also requires extensive cooperation between several major DoD contracting teams.
Physical. The Short-Takeoff-Vertical-Landing version virtually "rises" during its takeoff and landing. The image of an F-35 rising up in its takeoff phase or landing creates a compelling similarity to the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Scott "Stoney" Jackson
Ex-F-4 Phantom weenie
Freelance Writer/Photojournalist
Former Forum Administrator Military.com
Mindlace
May 26, 2002