October 29,2008:  While the new American F-35 fighter-bomber is superior in many ways to the aircraft it is replacing (F-16s and F-15s). But in one area it is inferior, and this may turn into  major political and legal problems.

The F-35 is twice as loud on takeoff, and even louder when landing. Civilians living around F-35 bases will complain, as that much additional noise will be noticed when the new aircraft replace F-15s and F-16s over the next decade. There will be lawsuits, and headaches  for air force commanders. There might even be bans and groundings.