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

[Air Force Brat]

Very nice pictures Bub, you will all notice that the ThunderHoggeII is carrying about 7 to 10 degrees more positive Alpha than the F-16. The F-16 is a much lighter aircraft, not sure what airspeed they would be carrying here? 200 knts maybe plus or minus 50??? but the F-35 has a much higher wing loading, as evidenced by this photo.

as you read the articles on software and hardware issues being resolved, remember this is "ALL" exactly as Master Jeff predicted, EXACTLY!

I would also note that AFB has been to Wake Island exactly twice, I recall looking for the wreck that used to sit just off the end of the runway, Where a sunken vessels prow protruded through the surface of the water. Just loved that, my Father in Law who has passed, was in on the assault on Okinawa, and I believe Wake?? as well.

Strange to think that my Father in Law was in on the invasion, and I was there as a child 15 years later, in fact I celebrated my 5th birthday on Okinawa, my brother missed his 4th birthday, as we crossed the International Dateline, on a DC-6, back in the day when "Men were Men", and Women, well they haven't really changed as much as guys??

Celebrated "Boys Day" on Okie, Nok, Nok! Loved it, had a Fish Flag on a pole!

I talked to an Air Force officer who was a C-130 pilot in Idaho, (prolly at Mt. Home AFB), and later transitioned into the A-10, which he really enjoyed. I said I think the F-35 will be a very fine aircraft once the few kinks are worked out, and he whole heartedly agreed and said you're right, but don't tell any A-10 pilots I said so. He stated we don't like the F-35 on principle,

 

[FORBIN]

Kool pix, but note the F-35s additional 7 to 10 degrees of Alpha, its NOT real happy at that airspeed, another 50 knots would be appreciated. The F-35 will haul a load internally, and it is a heavy aircraft much like the Raptor.
I was flying my little brothers C-150 a month or so ago on a night check-out, taching the little 100 HP Continental at 2300 RPM, I had lots of fuel and my brother and I are each 200 lbs, we were "grossed out", and it was dragging its ax. Climb out was much slower than normal, and the airplane was just "doggy", and I was having to fight it to maintain altitude once we got to 3500 ft. This is an aircraft with a Horton STOL kit and a climb prop. I pointed out how "doggy" it was and Dan said increase the RPM to 2400, which I did. Totally different airplane, cruised jumped 5 mph and the tail came up and trimmed out beautifully, lots of drag went away, so having an airplane in its "element" is sometimes a matter of trim, or weight and balance, or a little more horsepower.

Visible and justly think you with new Blocks/Softawere upgrades agility can be again increased according datas i get despite many annoncements, scandals ... her instantaneous turn rate is correct same as a F-16C, 26 deg/s but the problem is clealy for sustained turn rate 11 deg/s F-16C, 18 and F-35A also good as F-16 for Climb Rate m/sec 255/260 both.

So if i understand well F-35 is still nervous as 4th Gen fighter but it turns less dry, yes, no

I precise, necessary, a gap with 4++/5th Gen, Rafale, Typhoon, F-22... sust/inst turn rates in general about up to 28/36 ; 300/350 m/sec ; J-20 ofc... ??? but with her systems DAOS ... normaly F-35 pilot look more fast, detect also more fast and can also fired AAM without look ennemy ( ofc mainly usefull for combat to SR or dogfight ) and that compensates the rest.

Also, important matter logicaly for Stealth Airstrikes missions F-35 or F-22/B-2 can't be used with others " normal " fighters in combined air strikes coz others attract attention, same for Tankers or need refueling far of SAM same things for FT with F-22 need dropped far several hundreds of kms of the target.

 

[FORBIN]

Other thing, F-35 as F-22, B-2 also ? use a special system to cool the exhaust gases worck with the fuel completely unusual and more difficult, complex for decrease IR signature, exist some datas it is really much better as others system ( normaly ) with air and mainly why this change exactly ?

Maybe reactor hiden less efficient with air intakes shaped in S with other reasons.

I have see for IR signature really better two reactors less powerful as one more powerful gas
are better diluted.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Visible and justly think you with new Blocks/Softawere upgrades agility can be again increased according datas i get despite many annoncements, scandals ... her instantaneous turn rate is correct same as a F-16C, 26 deg/s but the problem is clealy for sustained turn rate 11 deg/s F-16C, 18 and F-35A also good as F-16 for Climb Rate m/sec 255/260 both.

So if i understand well F-35 is still nervous as 4th Gen fighter but it turns less dry, yes, no

I precise, necessary, a gap with 4++/5th Gen, Rafale, Typhoon, F-22... sust/inst turn rates in general about up to 28/36 ; 300/350 m/sec ; J-20 ofc... ??? but with her systems DAOS ... normaly F-35 pilot look more fast, detect also more fast and can also fired AAM without look ennemy ( ofc mainly usefull for combat to SR or dogfight ) and that compensates the rest.

Also, important matter logicaly for Stealth Airstrikes missions F-35 or F-22/B-2 can't be used with others " normal " fighters in combined air strikes coz others attract attention, same for Tankers or need refueling far of SAM same things for FT with F-22 need dropped far several hundreds of kms of the target.

Right, this is a "static equation", the F-35 is just a heavier aircraft than the F-16, but truth is when you go to fight you will be at least 450 knts indicated at low level. The F-35 makes lots of lift, but it takes speed to generate that lift, what happens in every airplane is that once you begin to pull aft stick and turn? you make lift, and lift "always" generates drag, and drag quickly causes energy to dissipate.

In the second generation or so, the Air Force and other began to use the 360 overhead, right down runway, and a hard break to the left for a left hand pattern, airspeed begins to "bleed off" flaps and gear are popped further increasing drag, as the aircraft slows to 200 or so knots and the turn continues to bleed airspeed the power comes back in to "stabilize the approach at 150-160 knots right down final approach, and power off over the numbers.

I pointed the higher alpha out to acknowledge that I am aware that the F-35 is in a different weight class than the F-16

 

[FORBIN]

Sometimes with your comments I really have the impression of being in a simulator

 

[FORBIN]

No new i think but nice, F-35C

 

[Jeff Head]

No new i think but nice, F-35C
View attachment 27549

All of the F-35s are going to be game changers.

But I love to see the Charlie. she's going to do great things for the US Navy and the carrier force.

 

[Air Force Brat]

All of the F-35s are going to be game changers.

But I love to see the Charlie. she's going to do great things for the US Navy and the carrier force.

Yep, I love the Charlie due to its larger wing and stabilators, I would have probably put those on each of the F-35s just because the "Wing is the thing". The F-22 has lots of wing, but, at low altitudes that can give you bumpy ride, as it will be more "affected" by turbulence as you "run in to the target", and as I said, they will keep the throttle in and the speed UP when then go to fight.

Hope you're doing good today Jeff, praying for you brother!

 

[Jeff Head]

Hope you're doing good today Jeff, praying for you brother!

Thank you my friend and brother.

The have gotten the med problems under control...now it is down to Houston week after next for them to look at the new tumors and tell me what options I have for them.

It is all in the good Lord's Hands and I have complete faith in Him whatever the results may be...to do my best, and count on His grace and mercy.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Thank you my friend and brother.

The have gotten the med problems under control...now it is down to Houston week after next for them to look at the new tumors and tell me what options I have for them.

It is all in the good Lord's Hands and I have complete faith in Him whatever the results may be...to do my best, and count on His grace and mercy.

It's always nice to get a little good news, seed for Faith, we will all be praying for you and your family, and for the Lord's Healing touch as well as wisdom for your Dr's, Nurses, an Medical team, maybe you could run by LockMart while you are in Texas. LOL feel free to let us know

Now, back to the F-35, the A-10 pilot I talked to was confident the F-35 is going to be a very effective aircraft, though he did confide that no self respecting A-10 pilot can actually say that in public, they love that bird. I am anxious to see USAF stand up their first operational squadron this year, and am excited to hear that they are profiling "combat missions", flying four-ships which will be the "optimal configuration for the F-35, just as the two-ship is for the F-22.