habu2 Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Like a rock..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Anyone else think that vid looks an awful lot like the pilot hit the brakes when he realized the jet wasn't accelerating nearly as much as it should? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Cartwright Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 It's been recovered: Wreckage of £100million F-35 jet which crashed in Mediterranean on take-off has been recovered (the-sun.com) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 On 12/2/2021 at 3:53 PM, Raceaddict said: Anyone else think that vid looks an awful lot like the pilot hit the brakes when he realized the jet wasn't accelerating nearly as much as it should? No idea but I'm impressed as hell that the pilot was able to avoid getting run over by his ship. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Tyler Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 GE's XA100 Adaptive Cycle Engine is being evaluated for the F-35 in a possible reengine. The powerplant, meant for the forthcoming 6th Gen USAF NGAD, would "enables a 30 percent increase in range, 20 percent increase in acceleration, and doubles the engine’s thermal-management capacity. The engine’s advanced materials provide increased durability and readiness in harsh operating environments." As a huge F-35 fan, I am curious as to how an adaptive cycle engine could improve the platform. https://www.airforcemag.com/re-engining-f-35-ge-aetp-boost-speed-payload-range/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dafixer Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 3 hours ago, 11bee said: No idea but I'm impressed as hell that the pilot was able to avoid getting run over by his ship. According to reports his parachute became entangled with the ski ramp. You can see it in the video at the very end. I'm guessing he was recovered hanging off the bow of the ship. Sounds pretty terrifying but maybe not as much as getting run over by the ship. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Brown Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 10 hours ago, Captain Tyler said: GE's XA100 Adaptive Cycle Engine is being evaluated for the F-35 in a possible reengine. The powerplant, meant for the forthcoming 6th Gen USAF NGAD, would "enables a 30 percent increase in range, 20 percent increase in acceleration, and doubles the engine’s thermal-management capacity. The engine’s advanced materials provide increased durability and readiness in harsh operating environments." As a huge F-35 fan, I am curious as to how an adaptive cycle engine could improve the platform. https://www.airforcemag.com/re-engining-f-35-ge-aetp-boost-speed-payload-range/ That's fascinating! An engine that can switch itself from high-bypass to low bypass on the fly. Looks like they're also looking at upgrading the F-15, F-16, and F-22 with it, too. Ben Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 18 hours ago, Dafixer said: According to reports his parachute became entangled with the ski ramp. You can see it in the video at the very end. I'm guessing he was recovered hanging off the bow of the ship. Sounds pretty terrifying but maybe not as much as getting run over by the ship. Yeah I doubt he even got wet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Raceaddict said: Yeah I doubt he even got wet. oh I bet he did - but it wasn't from sea water...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 On 12/8/2021 at 7:02 PM, Dafixer said: According to reports his parachute became entangled with the ski ramp. You can see it in the video at the very end. I'm guessing he was recovered hanging off the bow of the ship. Sounds pretty terrifying but maybe not as much as getting run over by the ship. Lucky guy, a bit more forward and it would have been grim. Wonder if the seat could be programed with a "deck launch" mode that if actuated right at take-off, would put the seat on a trajectory to the left to avoid the ship's path? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 (edited) So, even though I personally had different favorites along the six year long very thorough program, I guess this was the AF generals' choice from the start. I've of course followed the process from the beginning and since the HX program has been labeled probably the most rigorous fighter procurement program one can imagine where every possible aspect of the contenders' abilities have been evaluated against the demands of the Finnish AF, I'm inclined to believe they made the right choice. I mean there was only one candidate that fully represents the future while one of the planes, Gripen, was already in the last race in the early nineties where it was beaten by F/A-18. Despite of the development done since then I think it would have been rather ironic if it had been chosen now. It was a political favorite, after all. Luckily, the process here is rather straightforward - if quite long - and the AF gets what it wants. In contrast with some other countries, one can be 100% sure the decision remains even if there was a government chance. So unanimous is the support for new fighters among the citizens and the politicians. The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is Finland’s next multi-role fighter Air Force 10.12.2021 14.37 PRESS RELEASE The Government of Finland has 10 December 2021 authorised the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to sign a procurement contract with the Government of the United States on Finland’s next multi-role fighter. The fighter replacing the Hornet fleet’s capability is the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The procurement contains 64 F-35A Block 4 multi-role fighters, substantial and versatile weaponry tailored for the operating circumstances, required training and sustainment solutions, other related systems as well as sustainment and maintenance services until the end of 2030. In the HX Fighter Programme evaluation of the tenderers’ offers, the F-35 fulfilled the security of supply, industrial participation and affordability requirements of the decision-making areas. In the military capability assessment, the F-35 comprehensive system was the best. The F-35 combat, reconnaissance and survival capabilities were the best suited of the HX candidates. The F-35 operating and sustainment costs fit the allocated cost frame, and the aircraft development during the life cycle will be feasible with the normal resources of the Finnish Defence Forces. Within the procurement process, several essential security of supply requirements and significant industrial participation have been agreed upon. The essential security of supply requirements relate specifically to independent ability to operate in exceptional circumstances. The F-35 programme is multinational and its user community large. The system is in service in many European nations including Norway and Denmark. The current Hornet fleet will be phased out as planned from the year 2025. The first Finnish F-35 fighters will begin service with the Finnish Air Force in 2025 as part of the training of Finnish personnel in the United States. The first F-35s will be delivered to Finland in 2026. In Finland the F-35 system will replace the Hornet fleet in the fighter wings between 2028 and 2030. HX Programme Bidding Competition The HX programme replacing the Hornet capability was launched in 2015 by the decision of the Minister of Defence and subsequent Request for Information (RFI) phase. The HX bidding competition began in 2018 with the initial Requests for Quotation (RFQ) sent to the governments of France, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The aim of the competitive bidding was to build with each tenderer a comprehensive solution fulfilling the requirements and producing the best possible capability to replace the Hornet fleet for the Finnish defence system in the operational environment of the 2030s as well as within the HX system’s lifespan. The offered solutions in the HX programme were set up around the following fighter aircraft systems: Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 and Saab Gripen. Evaluation of Offers The Defence Forces Logistics Command received the final and binding offers from all five HX tenderers by the end of April 2021 deadline. The offers were assessed in accordance with the HX Request for Quotation, decision-making model and Evaluation Handbook to reach the procurement proposal. The tendering was based on four decision-making areas: Military Capability, Security of Supply, Industrial Participation and Affordability. When a tenderer passed the Security of Supply, Industrial Participation and Affordability considerations, it proceeded to the final phase of the Military Capability evaluation in which the offered solutions were placed in order. The Defence Forces evaluated the offered comprehensive solutions’ capability in three phases based on performance demonstrated in testing events. In the final phase, the military capability effectiveness of each candidate’s HX system was evaluated via a thorough and long-run war game supported by simulation. The Defence Forces’ proposal for the system to be selected was based on the results of the war games and estimated future development potential. Success of F-35 System In the HX bidding competition, the F-35 passed the security of supply, industrial participation and affordability decision-making areas. The F-35 solution achieved the highest operational effectiveness and future growth potential in the capability assessment. Security of Supply The F-35 solution fulfils the national security of supply requirements of Finland. The sustainment of the system is based on the F-35 global sustainment solution tailored to meet the domestic security of supply requirements. The critical maintenance capacity will be created in the Defence Forces and domestic industrial organisations. The solution encompasses the maintenance capabilities to be built in Finland as well as spare components and replaceable assemblies for exceptional circumstances that are under the sole national control of Finland as well as participation in the multinational maintenance network. Affordability The F-35 solution fitted to the allocated funding frame was the most cost-effective. The F-35 had the lowest procurement cost when considering all aspects of the offer. The operating and sustainment costs of the system will fall below the 254 million euro yearly budget. F-35 operations and lifespan development will be feasible with the Defence Forces’ resources. No offer was significantly less expensive than others in operating and sustainment costs. Industrial Participation The F-35 industrial participation offer met the requirements in quality and content. The main focus of the offered industrial participation is in direct industrial cooperation that will create significant independent maintenance capabilities. The industrial participation solution will develop credible knowhow in the domestic industry from the security of supply perspective and become significant in the national economy. The key industrial participation projects include large-scale production of the F-35 front fuselage in Finland also for other users, production of structural components as well as equipment testing and maintenance capability. In addition, Finland has been offered an engine final assembly project for the Air Force aircraft. The industrial participation’s domestic employment impact will be 4500 and indirect impact 1500 person-workyears. The industrial participation contract will be signed by the Ministry of Defence as well as Lockheed Martin and the engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. Military Capability The F-35 system’s capability was best suited for the Finnish operating environment and HX requirements. The comprehensive system and aircraft’s capabilities in combat, reconnaissance and survival are unsurpassed. The F-35 came first in the assessment or shared the top score in all mission areas and achieved the highest total score. The proposed F-35 package will meet the defined tasks with sufficient efficacy in respect to the requirements of the future operating environment. The quantity of aircraft and weaponry included in the quotation had an impact in the result. The Finnish F-35 fleet can achieve operational capability within the scheduled timeframe. The F-35 solution will produce a significant addition to the entire defence system and enhance preventive capability of defence. The F-35A is capable of initiating action in counter-air operations as well as generating and sharing the necessary situational awareness and target data, enabling the F-35 to best support land and maritime operations. The F-35 multi-domain effectiveness across air, land and sea received the highest rating in the assessment. The stealth and other unique features, such as sensors and networks, support the F-35’s survival in combat. The F-35 multi-role fighter has the highest internal fuel capacity and all sensors incorporated negating the need for an external targeting system or fuel tank. The F-35 system’s technological solution is sustainable and its future growth potential the best of the offered solutions. The development has been guaranteed for the entire life cycle until the 2060s. Procurement Package The procurement object is 64 F-35A multi-role fighters in the newest Block 4 configuration. The procurement encompasses multi-role fighter weaponry. The offered F-35 package includes the following weapon types: AMRAAM, Sidewinder, SDB I and II, JDAM-family weaponry, JSM and JASSM-ER. The weaponry is to be procured within the programme funding availability by the end of the year 2035. The weapons package will be optimised during the procurement process, taking into account availability of the newest weapon types and changes in the operating environment. With optimised weapons procurement, the system’s capability will be maximised in the Finnish operating environment and the F-35 system’s life-cycle guaranteed for the longest feasible time. A remarkable number of additional products and services to be acquired concurrently are related to the procurement of the fighter system and its use. These comprise the sustainment system including test equipment, tools, replaceable assembly and spare part services, as well as information systems, training systems and services, mission support systems and related services as well as the US Government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procurement process related administrative services to be used. The procurement package also includes the fleet sustainment costs for the years 2025-2030. Procurement Funding The funding for the HX programme totals 10 billion euros. The Parliament has granted the fighter programme a procurement authorisation of 9.4 billion euro for the acquisition of the Hornet replacement system and 579 million euros of a five-year transferable allocation. The transferable allocation is to ensure that the procured entity will be obtained into service as part of the Finnish defence system. Twenty-one million euros have thus far been spent in prepar-ing for the procurement. Procurement Costs The acquisition equals approximately 8.378 billion euros. The cost of multi-role fighters is 4.703 billion euros and air-to-air missiles AMRAAM and Sidewinder 754,6 million euros. Service equipment, spare and exchange parts, training and sustainment solutions, other related systems as well as sustainment and maintenance services until the end of 2030 cost 2,920 billion euros. Operational facilities, aircraft hangars and storages as well as runway structures and infrastructure for the procured system will be constructed in Finland. This is based on national and international safety and security requirements. Construction costs, costs of industrial participation, personnel costs and other project costs amount to 777 million euros. Additionally 823,8 million euros is reserved for the final optimised weapons package and to control future contract amendments. Part of the weaponry will be obtained at a later date as per the aircraft delivery schedule. HX Programme Implementation The defence system research in the Defence Forces strategic planning has concluded that multi-role fighters have a key role and responsibility in the defence system of the 2030s’ operating environment. The HX programme was established to find a replacement for the current multi-role fighters and since 2015 it has been working to obtain the best HX solution for Finland. In various phases of the HX programme, preparation and evaluation work has involved the best national and international expertise of 100-200 personnel with wide skills profiles. The Defence Command oversees the progress and quality control of the development programme projects. The HX procurement process’ quality has been assured with an internal and external quality verification. The external quality verification provider was Deloitte Inc. The task of the external quality verification was to gain confirmation for the impartial, systematical and traceable procurement process from an independent provider outside defence administration. Moreover, the National Audit Office of Finland has assessed the programme in accordance with its auditing plan and presented the necessary recommendations. Edited December 12, 2021 by janman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Cartwright Posted January 24, 2022 Share Posted January 24, 2022 Another F-35 carrier incident, this time a F-35C, and fortunately no one was killed, but at least 7 were injured. https://www.businessinsider.com/f-35-landing-mishap-aircraft-carrier-south-china-sea-2022-1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Tyler Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 4 hours ago, Ken Cartwright said: Another F-35 carrier incident, this time a F-35C, and fortunately no one was killed, but at least 7 were injured. https://www.businessinsider.com/f-35-landing-mishap-aircraft-carrier-south-china-sea-2022-1 I really hope they have the aircraft on the deck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Tyler Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 An F-35C from VX-9, along with an F-117A, has been spotted with a new coating. This follows a few months following an F-22 with this shiny finish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 25 minutes ago, Captain Tyler said: I really hope they have the aircraft on the deck. I would go with a failed arrester cable, and a jet over the side. Hopefully it hung up, but doubtful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arg Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 1 hour ago, Captain Tyler said: An F-35C from VX-9, along with an F-117A, has been spotted with a new coating. Notice how the wing 'star-and-bar' marking disappears in the second photo, and reappears in a lighter shade in the third photo!! Very interesting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 11 hours ago, Captain Tyler said: An F-35C from VX-9, along with an F-117A, has been spotted with a new coating. This follows a few months following an F-22 with this shiny finish. I didn't know they had resumed flying thru Rainbow Canyon. That's on my photography bucket list... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/25/2022 at 1:12 AM, arg said: Notice how the wing 'star-and-bar' marking disappears in the second photo, and reappears in a lighter shade in the third photo!! Very interesting! How's a modeler supposed to keep up with all this madness! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Tyler Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/24/2022 at 9:41 PM, Da SWO said: I would go with a failed arrester cable, and a jet over the side. Hopefully it hung up, but doubtful. Its reported that it did go over the edge. It's imperative that they recover the aircraft. On 1/24/2022 at 11:12 PM, arg said: Notice how the wing 'star-and-bar' marking disappears in the second photo, and reappears in a lighter shade in the third photo!! Very interesting! I love that effect! I really gotta say, the F-35 looks great with a bit of camo. 2 hours ago, Scott Smith said: How's a modeler supposed to keep up with all this madness! I really wish Hasegawa could make an F-35C kit already. Id love to make CF-01 and a VX-9 unit myself Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 I want the B model. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Cartwright Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 It did go overboard, and the navy is beginning plans to recover it: https://www.yahoo.com/news/navy-salvage-stealth-fighter-crashed-161331545.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 2 hours ago, GW8345 said: 2nd clip. You can see the pilot eject as the jet is spinning, about 1/2 way down the deck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Cartwright Posted April 28, 2022 Share Posted April 28, 2022 Resurrecting this thread for this article. This pilot seems like a real F-35 cheerleader, but I still think some of the insights are interesting, and more detail about some things than I was expecting. https://theaviationist.com/2022/04/07/f-35-interview-with-billie-flynn/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted April 28, 2022 Share Posted April 28, 2022 4 hours ago, Ken Cartwright said: Resurrecting this thread for this article. This pilot seems like a real F-35 cheerleader, but I still think some of the insights are interesting, and more detail about some things than I was expecting. https://theaviationist.com/2022/04/07/f-35-interview-with-billie-flynn/ I believe this guy also did a detailed interview on the Fighter Pilot Podcast. Very much a cheerleader, we’ll never know if the info is accurate or just marketing propaganda. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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