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

[Jeff Head]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Outright cancellation of F-35 program is almost impossible , too much money already spent and other countries involved . But , scaling back numbers is much more realistic .

I have no doubts that there will be efforts to reduce the overall numbers. But, as prices continue to drop (latest prices represent a 8% drop) on a per plane basis, this effort will also be mitigated to some extent.

The government's present intent was clearly projected when it just approoved the entire purchase of 71 aircraft for the next phase of LRIP.

 

[navyreco]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Ready For Sea Trials; F-35B Completes 500th Vertical Landing

The Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft completed its 500th vertical landing August 3. BF-1, the aircraft which completed this achievement, also accomplished the variant’s first vertical landing in March 2010 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

Next week, Sea Trials, known as Developmental Test 2 (DT-2) are scheduled to begin for the F-35B variant onboard the USS WASP. DT-2 is the second of three planned tests aimed at defining and expanding the F-35B’s shipboard operating envelope for the U.S. Marine Corps. The first shipboard testing phase was successfully completed in October 2011. The successful completion of the upcoming Sea Trials is key to declaring F-35 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the U.S. Marine Corps in 2015.

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[navyreco]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

PATUXENT RVIER Md. (Aug. 1, 2013) Test pilot Capt. Michael Kingen flies BF-1, an F-35B Lightning II, during a 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided weapon separation test. BF-1 dropped the GBU-12 over the Atlantic Test Ranges from an internal weapons bay. The F-35B is the variant of the Lightning II designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Dane Wiedmann/Released)

 

[Air Force Brat]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Awesome picture reco, thanks for sharing it with us, looks like shes just tooling along about 300 knts, maybe less, she's carrying a little alpha, happy as a duck in a puddle! brat

 

[bd popeye]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Fresh photos dated for August 2013. Hi-res versions of course..not sure when they were taken because the USMC is taking delivery of Lightning II.

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PATUXENT RVIER Md. (Aug. 1, 2013) Test pilot Capt. Michael Kingen flies BF-1, an F-35B Lightning II, during a 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided weapon separation test. BF-1 dropped the GBU-12 over the Atlantic Test Ranges from an internal weapons bay. The F-35B is the variant of the Lightning II designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Dane Wiedmann/Released)

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PATUXENT RVIER Md. (Aug. 3, 2013) Test pilot Capt. Michael "Mikey" Kingen flies BF-1, an F-35B Lightning II, on a short take off and vertical landing. The F-35B is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Layne Laughter/Released)

 

[thunderchief]

Re: Japan Military News Thread

Wasp-class needs several modification to be able to operate F-35B (details below) . I doubt that Izumo-class would ever operate those planes , but if they do :

............
Additionally, the Navy says, “The unique heat signature of the F-35 has required reinforcement of the flight deck to alleviate stresses from the heat of the jet, as well as modifying the flight deck coating to reduce erosion caused by jet exhaust associated with increased thrust. Specific system modifications that are unique to F-35 will also require the installation of new voltage regulators and rectifiers. Expanded mission capabilities of the F-35 have also required enhanced munitions throughput and systems capabilities to facilitate increased ordnance delivery and aircraft associated support equipment.”
..........
The changes confirm that Lockheed Martin and the Marine Corps issued erroneous statements in early 2010 regarding the environmental effects of the F-35B’s exhaust. At that time, a company spokesman said that “extensive tests” had shown that “the difference between F-35B main-engine exhaust temperature and that of the AV-8B is very small, and is not anticipated to require any significant CONOPS changes for F-35B.”

...........

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[Jeff Head]

Re: Japan Military News Thread

Wasp-class needs several modification to be able to operate F-35B (details below) . I doubt that Izumo-class would ever operate those planes , but if they do :

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Reinforcing the flight deck to account for the jet blast and modifying the heat coating to the deck are relatively minor alterations, not "major" changes at all.

Making changes to the ordinance handling system to be able to handle the new ordinance that the F-35B can handle that the AV-8B could not is no surprise at all. It is something we all knew going in because you have to do it no matter what because one of the main reasons for going to a F-35B was precisely to be able to get to that ordinance capability.

The F-35B will operate off of all of the Wasp Class, and all of the America Class LHD and LHAs.

The Japanese, in buiilding the Izumo, had the advantage of knowing all of this (as the US did with the USS America) before they built the vessel. My bet is that they have already accounted for it.

We shall see. Clearly, the Japanese will never operate them off of the Izumo or any other Japanese vessel unless and until they purchase them...and they have not done that yet so, until they do, it is really a moot point.

 

[thunderchief]

Re: Japan Military News Thread

Well , according to the article , required modifications are neither trivial nor cheap . In fact , looks like just one ship of Wasp-class was modified so far and some may not be modified at all :

At the same time, the Navy has slowed its planned F-35B/C production rate by 20%, according to the latest Pentagon Selected Acquisition Report, resulting in a longer planned lifetime for the AV-8B. According to a Boeing briefing last week, “a majority” of the 134-strong Marine Corps Harrier force will be in service in 2027, and the type will not be retired before 2030. Radar and other upgrades are being studied to keep the aircraft combat-worthy and avoid obsolescence

 

[Air Force Brat]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Fresh photos dated for August 2013. Hi-res versions of course..not sure when they were taken because the USMC is taking delivery of Lightning II.

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[Air Force Brat]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Fresh photos dated for August 2013. Hi-res versions of course..not sure when they were taken because the USMC is taking delivery of Lightning II.

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