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

[Air Force Brat]

LOL I'll turn 94 in 2065

I'll be a pleasant memory for you Bub! I'll be reigning with the King!

 

[Jura The idiot]

Yesterday at 7:57 PM

Yesterday at 9:14 PMand
Marines Prepared to Use F-35Bs in Middle East Combat If Needed; No Other Naval Aviation Nearby

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

while
F-35 operational testing delayed until latest software delivers

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

fighter jet was slated to fly into operational testing this month, but that entry date will be pushed back a couple months as the Pentagon’s independent weapons tester waits for the

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

.

Robert Behler, the Pentagon’s director of operational test and evaluation, has delayed the start of the F-35’s initial operational test and evaluation, or IOT&E, until his office gets the newest software release — a version of the jet’s 3F software known as 30R02 — according to an Aug. 24 memorandum obtained by the

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

.

Earlier this year, the DOT&E office began some testing of the F-35 prior to the official start of IOT&E using the stealth fighter’s 30R00 software, which is currently operational on the newest Joint Strike Fighters.

That version was sufficient for those initial tests, which involved two-ship missions taking on low-end threats, Behler stated.

“Software version 30R02, which is fielding in the next two months, provides the latest instantiation of operationally relevant and production representative aircraft software that will better support the required testing to adequately address the remaining mission areas,” including air interdiction, offensive counter air, suppression of enemy air defenses and electronic attack, according to Behler.

If the software is delivered by October, as Behler seems to predict in his memo, IOT&E could potentially start around the November time frame. The Pentagon is expected to make a decision on whether to move the F-35 into full-rate production by October 2019, the Government Accountability Office

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

.

Behler goes on to say that the 30R00 contains deficiencies with regard to the Air-to-Air Range Infrastructure system — which allows for range-based testing and training — that are fixed in 30R02.

“AARI must be functioning adequately to ensure test results are accurate, understandable and defensible. Changing AARI software versions in the midst of IOT&E could potentially result in inconsistencies in data collection and affect the validity and adequacy of the test and evaluation," Behler noted.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Yesterday at 7:57 PM
while
F-35 operational testing delayed until latest software delivers

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Those B models are ready to rock and roll, they are "deployed" and "operational" read your first post, if there is a need, they WILL FLY, just shows to go ya that the Marines have "jumped" on this airplane, they really don't care about paperwork? They have been flying the British rejected, "phased out" Harrier for so long that the B model as is, is a heck uv an an upgrade.

They will "fight this airplane" if a threat arises, bad boys shouldn't take any comfort in your second post, if they launch against this bird, they gonna add to its already awesome reputation... in fact I will guarantee you that those Marines want to "get their feet wet"!

it ain't no Raptor, but its hell on S-400's and anything else the Russians, Syrians, Iranians might want to fly! that goes for ANY other crew on the planet as well!

 

[Jura The idiot]

Those B models are ready to rock and roll, they are "deployed" and "operational" read your first post, if there is a need, they WILL FLY, just shows to go ya that the Marines have "jumped" on this airplane, they really don't care about paperwork?

from what I figured, the Pentagon+LockMart now would care about "paperwork" = an independent testing before the block buy worth several hundred billion

They have been flying the British rejected, "phased out" Harrier for so long that the B model as is, is a heck uv an an upgrade.

They will "fight this airplane" if a threat arises, bad boys shouldn't take any comfort in your second post, if they launch against this bird, they gonna add to its already awesome reputation... in fact I will guarantee you that those Marines want to "get their feet wet"!

it ain't no Raptor, but its hell on S-400's and anything else the Russians, Syrians, Iranians might want to fly! that goes for ANY other crew on the planet as well!

LOL you "kill" with words

 

[Air Force Brat]

from what I figured, the Pentagon+LockMart now would care about "paperwork" = an independent testing before the block buy worth several hundred billion

LOL you "kill" with words

Naw, I'm just telling you how it is, this airplane is ready to "go to work", bad people, real bad people need a strong incentive NOT to do anything stooped, this airplane will do the do, and I'm very happy about that....

If you're mean and ready to fight, bad folks don't wanta get cut do they?? crazy ones don't care, you're gonna have to give them a "dose of medicine"!

 

[Jura The idiot]

now noticed (dated September 10, 2018)
European F-35 fighter jet users push to drive down operating costs

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

I guess soon they'll hear about "upgrades", though, as in Today at 9:35 AM

now skimmed over, actually jumped to Costs part hahaha,

HCDC HC 326 ‘UNCLEAR FOR TAKE-OFF – F-35 PROCUREMENT’ – FIRST SIX-MONTHLY UPDATE FROM THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

to see

"The LRIP Lot10 price ($122.3million) ...",

over 1b already needed for what LockMart calls upgrades,

etc.

plus they might think of the second question from May 27, 2018

how many aircraft is in Lot 11? asking because now noticed
Contracts

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

also curious how that half of a bil until 2023 is related to one bil and a half until next May May 1, 2018


it sure looks like several mil per aircraft per year for 'support' LOL
EDIT to be included into the flying cost per hour, yes? no?

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Most of the Birds needing the upgrade are USAF delivered. With a few units in early trails abroad. So the massive upgrade cost is primarily a US issue. Well units being delivered to foreign buyers are of the more complete version.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Most of the Birds needing the upgrade are USAF delivered. With a few units in early trails abroad. So the massive upgrade cost is primarily a US issue. Well units being delivered to foreign buyers are of the more complete version.

Very true, and the US used those early F-22s as they were for training and other minutia, now many of them will be brought back in an "SLEPed" and brought up to full mil-spec, and even the late birds will need to be brought up to that latest standard...

We've been doing aircraft rebuilds/mods as long as I've been alive, its just business as usual, yes its expensive, but its cheaper than buying new, and with these birds, they are part of the cost of having "capability now",,, just watch the hand-wringing and threats when we move these aircraft East or West as a show of force??

So those early F-35s will be kept in serviceable condition, and used for test and training until an "opportune time" to bring them up to full spec... its not hard, its just bidnez!

 

[Jura The idiot]

Most of the Birds needing the upgrade are USAF delivered. With a few units in early trails abroad. So the massive upgrade cost is primarily a US issue. Well units being delivered to foreign buyers are of the more complete version.

had you clicked
May 1, 2018
linked inside what I posted 34 minutes ago
you would've seen

LOL! right after the above comment noticed Lockheed gets $1.4B contract for F-35 sustainment

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

"Lockheed Martin on Monday won a $1.4 billion contract to

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

for the

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

and international customers.

According to Lockheed, the contract provides for “air system maintenance; pilot and maintainer training; depot activation; sustaining engineering; Automatic Logistics Information System (ALIS) support, data analytics and predictive health management; supply chain logistics” for all U.S. and international F-35s through April 30, 2019.

Of the $1.4 billion sum, about 73 percent will be paid by the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy, while the other 27 percent will be covered by international customers."

etc., but that's OK, the show is only beginning:

as of now, there's just around 50 European F-35s so they may kid themselves how they
push to drive down operating costs


surprises are ahead LOL

 

[Jura The idiot]

talking to myself
RAAF combat squadron receives first F-35A

• 19 September, 2018
  Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 3 squadron has received its first Lockheed Martin F-35A, the first RAAF aircraft not earmarked for the Luke AFB International Pilot Training Centre.

This is the RAAF’s ninth F-35A, with the others being used to training at Luke, says Australia’s Department of Defence.

"It is an exciting time for Air Combat Group as we transition to F-35A operations over the next few years,” says Air Commodore Michael Kitcher. “While there are challenges ahead, particularly as we prepare for the conduct of Australian-based operations next year, I am confident we are well placed to manage the transition."

The RAAF accepted the jet, A35-009, at Luke AFB in early September. No. 3 Squadron operates the Boeing F/A-18 A/B “Classic” Hornet, which the RAAF will retire.

It follows the first dropping of ordinance from another RAAF F-35A, A35-006, on 20 July. The activity took place at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona, and saw the F-35 drop two inert GBU-31v3 JDAM GPS-guided bomb which scored direct hits on their targets.

The RAAF aims to achieve initial operating capability with the type in December 2020. IOC will include weapons such as the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missile, AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, JDAMs, small diameter bombs, and the internal 25mm cannon.

Australia operates 55 single seat F/A-18As and 16 two-seat F/A-18Bs that were acquired in the 1980s. This fleet will be retired by 2022 in favour of the F-35A, of which Canberra has committed to acquiring 72 examples.

Canada will obtain up to 25 surplus RAAF F/A-18 A/Bs, of which 18 will be used to fill a capability gap while Ottawa decides on its next fighter aircraft. Seven will be used for non-flying activities such as software testing, static training, and spares.