Fun huh? for everybody but the bad guys.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread
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Fun huh? for everybody but the bad guys.
Miragedriver
Brigadier
F-35 Jet's Manufacturing Base Still Too Small for Demand
Program ChiefNew troubles face the problem-plagued Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter-bomber as manufacturing facilities will not be able to keep up with projected demand and promised production headlines, Defense News reported on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Lieutenant Colonel Chris Bogdan, head of the F-35 Joint Procurement Office (JPO), has expressed concern that the F-35 manufacturing base will not be able to keep up with its requirement to produce at least 120 of the aircraft per year in 2017, 2018 and 2019 for the US Army, Navy and Air Force, the report stated.
"[In] tripling production of the next-generation fighter jet, F-35 program leaders are bracing for an uphill climb," the report added.
In 2016, Lockheed Martin is scheduled to hand more than 43 of the aircraft to the three armed service branches.
"Acquisition rule of thumb says we probably, year-to-year, don't want to do more than about 50 percent what you did the year before," Bogdan told the ComDef conference on September 9, Defense News said.
"If you do the math and you are going to triple in three years, you are not on a 50-percent-per-year slope," Bogdan warned. "That gives me some pause."
Already, 126 of the problem-plagued F-35s are operating around the world, and Italy has received its first aircraft with Norway due to be next to receive one, the report noted.
"[W]e have to create a global sustainment enterprise that can sustain an airplane no matter where it is, no matter which partner has, it no matter what [Foreign Military Sales] customer has it, in a way that's effective for the warfighter," Defense News quoted Bogdan as saying.
"So when we have those 493 airplanes out in the field in 2019, guess how many will be in what I consider to be the right configuration? Not one," Bogdan said.
"Every airplane coming off the line now and coming off in the next two and a half years, plus all the airplanes we've built already, will need some form of modification to get them up to the full capability that we promised the war fighter," he warned.
The F-35 program has previously suffered from massive schedule delays and cost overruns, the report recalled.
There have also been specific major technical issues with its engine, helmet, tail hook and more, Bogdan acknowledged.
Link:
Back to bottling my Grenache
Program ChiefNew troubles face the problem-plagued Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter-bomber as manufacturing facilities will not be able to keep up with projected demand and promised production headlines, Defense News reported on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Lieutenant Colonel Chris Bogdan, head of the F-35 Joint Procurement Office (JPO), has expressed concern that the F-35 manufacturing base will not be able to keep up with its requirement to produce at least 120 of the aircraft per year in 2017, 2018 and 2019 for the US Army, Navy and Air Force, the report stated.
"[In] tripling production of the next-generation fighter jet, F-35 program leaders are bracing for an uphill climb," the report added.
In 2016, Lockheed Martin is scheduled to hand more than 43 of the aircraft to the three armed service branches.
"Acquisition rule of thumb says we probably, year-to-year, don't want to do more than about 50 percent what you did the year before," Bogdan told the ComDef conference on September 9, Defense News said.
"If you do the math and you are going to triple in three years, you are not on a 50-percent-per-year slope," Bogdan warned. "That gives me some pause."
Already, 126 of the problem-plagued F-35s are operating around the world, and Italy has received its first aircraft with Norway due to be next to receive one, the report noted.
"[W]e have to create a global sustainment enterprise that can sustain an airplane no matter where it is, no matter which partner has, it no matter what [Foreign Military Sales] customer has it, in a way that's effective for the warfighter," Defense News quoted Bogdan as saying.
"So when we have those 493 airplanes out in the field in 2019, guess how many will be in what I consider to be the right configuration? Not one," Bogdan said.
"Every airplane coming off the line now and coming off in the next two and a half years, plus all the airplanes we've built already, will need some form of modification to get them up to the full capability that we promised the war fighter," he warned.
The F-35 program has previously suffered from massive schedule delays and cost overruns, the report recalled.
There have also been specific major technical issues with its engine, helmet, tail hook and more, Bogdan acknowledged.
Link:
Back to bottling my Grenache
But the F-35 is not a "rule of Thumb," aircraft...never has been.
These decisions were made some time ago...this is not anything new...and they knew it would not be "easy" when they made them.
A procurement officer, particularly if he is knew and was not in the decision matrix when those decisions were made, wants things safe and easily attainable.
I do not be the Lt Colonel is necessary down on or against the aircraft. he's just being careful and there are editors and reporters and organizations that will pounce on any comment to make the aircraft look bad if they can.
The editor/writer of this article lets his/her bias slip and show right here.Article said:
Identifying the aircraft as "problem plagued," says all you need to know. It's a negative hit piece from the get-go.
EVERY major aircraft procurement has problems. Every one of them could be called "problem plagued." Yet most of them end up getting the job done. It goes with the terrirory, particularly when you are pushing the envelope.
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What warning? This is not new news. The decisions to test the aircraft the way is has been tested (and it is the most tested aircraft in history) decided this long ago.Article said:
Like I said, the article is looking for problems.
But the fact is 126 aircraft are out there, and another 43+ will be added this year says the program is moving forward.
The fact that the "Bravo" is IOC means it is moving forward.
The fact that the "Charlie" has had such successful at-sea trials means it is moving forward.
The fact that Italy is not producing aircraft means that it is moving forward.
The F-35 is going to be the most prolific 5th generation stealth aircraft on earth, and it will be a huge success before all is said and done.
You do not bring an aircraft with these capabilities, and with as large a customer base as is planned without there being issues. Some hope that by focusing on the "issues," they can delay or negatively impact it. it has happened before.
I do not think they are going to be able to accomplish that here...but that will not stop them from continuing to try...no matter how successful the F-35 becomes. They are already fully invested in the negativity.
Miragedriver
Brigadier
I guess you could say the Russian News agencies are bias…..The real question could be how many Su-30 did Russian manufacture last year? probable less than 20.....
Back to bottling my Grenache
Back to bottling my Grenache
I do not know how many the Russians produced.
But I do expect that once the plant in Ft. Worth, TX, and the plant in Italy go into full production mode, that we will see well over 100 F-35s produced each and every year for some time to come.
Brumby
Major
I think the head of the F-35 program is a Lt. General not a Lt. Colonel as reported - not a good start on a simple fact by the reporting news agency.
I am reminded sometime earlier (can't remember exactly when) in an article that the only proven institution in the world that can mass produce 5th gen. aircraft is the U.S. There is the F-22 and now the F-35's. There are significant leap of requirements in manufacturing capabilities, supply chain infrastructure, and resourcing skills (a point often lost) between hand made prototype and mass production models. Whilst Russia might have their T-50's, their ability to mass produce 5th gen. aircraft is unproven and may well be for a considerable time.
The F-35 is a highly complex piece of machinery and that is probably an understatement. History is yet to be written on how it will perform operationally. I am sure that there will be a whole host of problems ahead but it will be matched by its unprecedented capabilities. It will change the way future air warfare will be conducted especially in spectrum domination. Its usefulness in my view will be its multiplier effect on the eco system in enhancing the cross services in war fighting capabilities.
Christopher Bogdan is a Lt. Gen. he is priming the pump with a little "reality therapy"?? you have to "crawl", before you can walk???
F-35 delivered :
144 :
A : 78
B : 44
C : 22 including CF-19/USMC, the second CF-24 soon, VFA-101 mixed OCU have 16C right now on 40 when it is complete which 10 USMC and go for Lemoore after.
Actually about 2/3A delivered by month, B 1 in 2 months and C every quarter.
144 :
A : 78
B : 44
C : 22 including CF-19/USMC, the second CF-24 soon, VFA-101 mixed OCU have 16C right now on 40 when it is complete which 10 USMC and go for Lemoore after.
Actually about 2/3A delivered by month, B 1 in 2 months and C every quarter.