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

[Air Force Brat]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Now 100 produced, 44 are F-35A, 42 are F-35B and 14 are F-35C, with F-35 UK and NL.

87 F-35s have been delivered to the Department of Defense, in more 3 B for UK and 2 A for NL. This number this included 20 pre-series F-35.

Units

USN/USMC :
Yuma VMFA-121 the first F-35 frontline unit completeness, 16 B. Combat ready end 2015 planned. After the VM(F)A-211 will be equipped.
Eglin VMFAT-501 OCU use 11 F-35B ( full staffing 20 ) with in more 3 UK. VFA-101 OCU use 2 F-35B, full staffing 15.
PAX River VX-23 OEU use five F-35B and 4 F-35C
Edwards AFB VX-23 OEU detached 2 F-35B, and 1 F-35C.

USAF
Eglin 33è FW 58 FS, OCU, 16 A + 2 NL, full staffing 24 US.
Edwards 53 Wing(-) 31 TES, 5 F-35A
Nellis 57 W 422 TES use 4 F-35A, weapons test.

Next base very possible Shaw then Kadena, McEntire/ANG.

The F-35 is now sporting some additional fairings, covering devices to "enhance" the ability of ATC to "see" the F-35 for traffic separation, this seems to indicate the F-35 is very stealthy, these are similar to the same devices flown on the F-22 for traffic separation, as well as during "Red Flag" type exercises to enhance the primary "radar return". I am assuming these are "electronic"???, does someone have any additional information on how these function?

 

[thunderchief]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

The F-35 is now sporting some additional fairings, covering devices to "enhance" the ability of ATC to "see" the F-35 for traffic separation, this seems to indicate the F-35 is very stealthy, these are similar to the same devices flown on the F-22 for traffic separation, as well as during "Red Flag" type exercises to enhance the primary "radar return". I am assuming these are "electronic"???, does someone have any additional information on how these function?

Pictures please

Btw , there are two basic ways for ATC to detect stealth aircraft , one is transponder emitting position & identification code (like any other aircraft) , other is radar reflector - simple device to increase radar return :

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[Air Force Brat]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Pictures please

Btw , there are two basic ways for ATC to detect stealth aircraft , one is transponder emitting position & identification code (like any other aircraft) , other is radar reflector - simple device to increase radar return :

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There is a very small picture on todays AFM Daily Report, these must be like the corner reflectors as there are two on the dorsal, two on the ventral and two on the vertical stabs, I imagine they found that on flight global????? I will check that out, but I am trying to get ready for church now, but the Air Force Magazine has the daily report online sight...

 

[asif iqbal]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

does anyone have figures on the take off weight in vertical poistion of F35B as opposed to taking off ski jump?

 

[thunderchief]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

does anyone have figures on the take off weight in vertical poistion of F35B as opposed to taking off ski jump?

No idea , but it cannot be greater then full engine thrust , for obvious reasons . Therefore , if you take full power for vertical takeoff at 186 kN (data from Wikipedia) , max weight could not exceed 18960 kg .

The STOVL variant, F135-PW-600, delivers the same 43,000 lbf (191 kN) of wet thrust as the other types in its conventional configuration. In STOVL configuration, the engine produces 18,000 lbf (80.1 kN) of lift thrust. Combined with thrust from the LiftFan (20,000 lbf or 89.0 kN) and two roll posts (1,950 lbf or 8.67 kN each), the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem produces a total of 41,900 lbf (186 kN) of thrust, almost the same vertical lifting force for slow speed flight as the same engine produces at maximum afterburner, without the extreme fuel use or exhaust heat as wet thrust

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[Air Force Brat]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

There is a very small picture on todays AFM Daily Report, these must be like the corner reflectors as there are two on the dorsal, two on the ventral and two on the vertical stabs, I imagine they found that on flight global????? I will check that out, but I am trying to get ready for church now, but the Air Force Magazine has the daily report online sight...

Dave Mujundar has an article in USNI that the F-35 will begin tail-hook certification early in 2014, the Nimitz is the go to girl at present, he has another article dated 12/2613 that the Navy will begin serious consideration of AF/XX to replace the Super Hornet, that time frame will hopefully bring us an airplane in 2030, the begin replacing the Super Hornets as they approach their 9,000 hr service lives. brat

 

[asif iqbal]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

The UK and the F35 I had this sent to me so I am just posting it as a picture rather than rewriting the whole thing

 

[navyreco]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

F-35. Chinese parts are in it. via War News Updates.

(Reuters) - The Pentagon repeatedly waived laws banning Chinese-built components on U.S. weapons in order to keep the $392 billion Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter program on track in 2012 and 2013, even as U.S. officials were voicing concern about China's espionage and military buildup.
According to Pentagon documents reviewed by Reuters, chief U.S. arms buyer Frank Kendall allowed two F-35 suppliers, Northrop Grumman Corp and Honeywell International Inc, to use Chinese magnets for the new warplane's radar system, landing gears and other hardware. Without the waivers, both companies could have faced sanctions for violating federal law and the F-35 program could have faced further delays.
"It was a pretty big deal and an unusual situation because there's a prohibition on doing defense work in China, even if it's inadvertent," said Frank Kenlon, who recently retired as a senior Pentagon procurement official and now teaches at American University. "I'd never seen this happen before."

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[thunderchief]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

F-35. Chinese parts are in it. via War News Updates.


read the rest at

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More detailed report at :

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[Pointblank]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Kind of hard to sabotage magnets without anyone noticing. Also kind of hard to get neodymium anywhere else.