F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread

[FORBIN]

More news here. The first two "combat-coded" F-35A had their maiden flight. Does the term mean the software version of the IOC capable aircraft?

USAF F-35A IOC planned with the Block 3i, for me not yet ready but remains a year and after it's just a download on the fighters, fast, definitely yet hard points wired.

USN in 2018 will have F-35C with the block 3F but F-35 get almost all her weapons only with block 4 normaly ready for 2021.

 

[Jeff Head]

JPALS is only for F-35C ? Or is there an "auto landing mode" for the B as well ?

Raytheon receives US Navy contract to continue F-35C JPALS test and analysis program

JPALS is a system that is for all US Navy aircraftr landing on carriers.

Intiial development was completed in 2013. Engineering development for version 1A complete in 2014. They are now working on version 1B I believe.

Here's an article in 2013 from USNI:

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...and the first landing of an F/A-18 using JPALS.

 

[FORBIN]

Very close views, nice

Hot Refueling always more dangerous.

 

[navyreco]

@ Jeff

So no auto landing system for the "B" STOVL variant ?

 

[Jeff Head]

@ Jeff

So no auto landing system for the "B" STOVL variant ?

I cannot say for sure.

Perhaps at some point they will...but it would be a very special case for the carrier because it has no arrestor hook.

I would guess not.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Traditionally In the Harrier Landings are Manual but that's mostly due to the state of Avionics in the Harrier which is well....
The Russians when they built the Yak Vtol fighter series included a Auto landing system that lined the jet on the deck.
F35B uses a Flyby wire system so including one.
The British are really pushing the Vtol system ( Ironic as they more or less developed the CATBAR) and they are pushing more of a rolling landing.
The thing to watch is the Shipborne rolling vertical landing program.

 

[FORBIN]

Turkish AF first F-35A Sqn, the 172 Sqn/Filo based to Malatya, F-35A replace in first F-4E Terminator 2020, 47, 2 combat Sqns equiped.


Scramble



Italian AF first F-35A Sqn ( unit ? ) based to Amendola receive in 2016 the first, have right now two AMX Sqns and one on MQ-1/9.

 

[FORBIN]

US Navy considers reduced annual F-35C buy from 20 by year to btw 12/20 in 2020's

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Yet USN have ordered about 30% less than expected only 4 annualy/by LRIP this last years, initialy planned 6.

No 12 but 10 by combat Sqns then if USN buy a minimum of 15 can equip 3 Sqns in 2 years. Remains also 2 FRS to equiped each request 30 fighters possible one only 20 cause mixed with 10 USMC F-35C.

But the more interesting 260 right now planned but annouced final target 369 for replace about 420 F-18 ( 286 C, 47 D, 74 A/A+ and 14 B in more 530 F/A-18E/F a very big fleet ! ) is a very good number but USN could prefer to stop at 260 and see for 6th gen fighter mainly if he is not too expensive, very possible, to see...

 

[FORBIN]

F-35B External Weapons Give Marines 4th, 5th Generation Capabilities in One Plane

Long article

“No other airplane can go from fifth to fourth and back to fifth again. I’m buying pylons for the airplane. I get the pylons in 3F software, which comes in 2017. [With the pylons] I can load up an F-35B with about 3,000 pounds more ordnance than I can put on an F-18 right now,”

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[Air Force Brat]

F-35B External Weapons Give Marines 4th, 5th Generation Capabilities in One Plane

Long article

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WELL, Megan Eckstein is a bright and gorgeous lady, and no doubt General Davis is the consummate fighter pilot, but the article title and the statement are inherently in-accurate, and sell the F-35 short.

"The Fifth Generation F-35 Will Haul a Heavier Load Than the Fourth Gen F-18, while compromising only the Low Observables of its Fifth Gen Capabilities!" is a much more accurate statement, as the F-35 will retain ALL of its fifth gen capabilities other than its L/O, it will still be jamming, and AWACing, and retain, its full sensor suit, dumping its ordinance and pylons will immediately put it back in the NINJA mode! POOF! sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!