F-35 news roundup

[MarkW]

Bur wait, there's more!

This article is hilariously schizophrenic.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/f-35-ejection-seat-woes-2016-6

What all the articles are getting wrong is this is a known problem from 2010, not last year. That's my beef.

[TaiidanTomcat]

Bur wait, there's more!

This article is hilariously schizophrenic.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/f-35-ejection-seat-woes-2016-6

What all the articles are getting wrong is this is a known problem from 2010, not last year. That's my beef.

FTFA:

The risk of fatal whiplash was previously thought to be caused by a combination of the way in which the ejection seats rolled forwards combined with the weight of the F-35’s helmet.

During simulated low-speed ejections, the heavy forces at play during the acceleration or deceleration of the advanced fighter jet would snap the neck of lightweight dummies. The problem was initially thought to have been caused by the ejection seats rotating too far forward.

Hey guys do you think they have examined anything about the seats going forward causing the problem?

[TaiidanTomcat]

Opinion: Hating the F-35 Has Become a Fad

Source

Rekt

[Ken Cartwright]

Marine Corps Will Get Its Second F-35B Squadron This Week

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2016/06/28/marine-corps-will-get-its-second-f-35b-squadron-this-week/

[Don]

Thanks for the link above ^^^. I find the comment sections at the bottom of these articles to be highly entertaining.

[Jonathan_Lotton]

Thanks for the link above ^^^. I find the comment sections at the bottom of these articles to be highly entertaining.

:cheers:/>

They always are.

It's from people that fancy themselves as "experts" because they read a lot of Foxtrot Alpha/Rogoway's bullcrap and read the "secret report" of F-35A AF2 vs the F-16 that just exploded everywhere last year.

The fact is the people who have flown the aircraft, and recent combat exercises, are very, very, very impressed with it and find it to be exceptionally lethal.

If you really want some entertainment..on Facebook there is a group called "Save the A-10" which basically consists of Warthog humpers and F-35 bashers.

[TaiidanTomcat]

They always are.

It's from people that fancy themselves as "experts" because they read a lot of Foxtrot Alpha/Rogoway's bullcrap and read the "secret report" of F-35A AF2 vs the F-16 that just exploded everywhere last year.

The fact is the people who have flown the aircraft, and recent combat exercises, are very, very, very impressed with it and find it to be exceptionally lethal.

If you really want some entertainment..on Facebook there is a group called "Save the A-10" which basically consists of Warthog humpers and F-35 bashers.

Be warned though people you can't "unsee" that page

[Tony Stark]

Be warned though people you can't "unsee" that page

[TaiidanTomcat]

Hey speaking of the A-10!:

Even as the highly emotional debate over the fate of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Warthog rages on, the United States Army is signaling that it does not care how the U.S. Air Force provides close air support so long as that service gets the job done.

“The only thing I care about is the effect on the target, I don’t give a rat’s fool what platform brings it in,” Army chief of staff Gen. Mark Milley told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., on June 23. “I could care less if it’s a B-52, if it’s a B-1 bomber, if it’s an F-16, an F-15, an A-10. I don’t care if the thing was delivered by carrier pigeon. I want the enemy taken care of.”

Clearly he is the archetype "Air Force Brass"

[Jonathan_Lotton]

Hey speaking of the A-10!:

Even as the highly emotional debate over the fate of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Warthog rages on, the United States Army is signaling that it does not care how the U.S. Air Force provides close air support so long as that service gets the job done.

Clearly he is the archetype "Air Force Brass"

He simply has been bought off and doesn't care about the soldier on the ground and how the A-10 is the most amazing plane in the history of eternity.

[TaiidanTomcat]

http://breakingdefense.com/2016/06/eye-candy-f-35b-flies-to-uk-for-riat-farnborough/

[Tony Stark]

VMA-211 is now VMFA-211

June 28, 2016

Marine Attack Squadron-211 will be officially redesignated as the Marine Corps' second Joint Strike Fighter operational squadron on Thursday, the service announced this week.

Up until now, VMA-211 had been an AV-8B Harrier squadron. The short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing F-35B is slated to replace the Marine Corps' aging Harrier fleet. The AV-8B Harrier was designed to attack and destroy surface and air targets, escort helicopters, engage in air-to-air defense, provide reconnaissance and apply offensive and defensive support with its arsenal of missiles, bombs and an onboard 25 mm cannon.

"The squadron flew its final flights with the AV-8B Harrier May 6 and received its first two F-35B aircraft May 9," a June 28 Marine Corps statement reads. "The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a supersonic, multi-role, multi-service aircraft that represents a quantum leap in air dominance capability. It combines next-generation fighter characteristics of radar evading stealth, supersonic speed, fighter agility and advanced logistical support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history to provide unprecedented lethality and survivability."

Video posted to Twitter

[Gordon Shumway]

Today up here in Canada the Defence Minister is calling all 'jet' fighter makers to offer up their proposals and spin offs and now do it quickly as he says we 'now' only a 50% readiness of our venerable CF-18's and the RCAF would not be able to fulfill any serious NORAD and NATO operations at the same time. I wont go more political as to both parties handling of our next combat jet purchase, but in reality it's going to be F-18E/F (and only if Canada decides quickly) or F-35A. Eurofighter as good as it is, is too costly and will not likely give the best spinoffs. Rafale is a nice combat jet but is too uniformly French especially in things like armaments and Gripen has too shaky of a long term future.

F-35 is really showing itself now and is the best long term choice regardless pro or con of lifetime costs. As TT replied to me here it will probably have an attrition replacement part of the contact to make sure RCAF keeps 65 in service for the next what 30+ years. Boeing may even be cheaper up front but will probably be a fly what you buy once production is ended. Only parts replacement and service. Attrition or crashed air frames will not likely be replaced.

But for me for now I say eff it, get of your hands government and make a decision and get this going. I'm now more into the F-35 camp but I'm also rather tired of this multi-year dragged out issue.

Edited July 7, 2016 by Gordon Shumway

[TaiidanTomcat]

Today up here in Canada the Defence Minister is calling all 'jet' fighter makers to offer up their proposals and spin offs and now do it quickly as he says we 'now' only a 50% readiness of our venerable CF-18's and the RCAF would not be able to fulfill any serious NORAD and NATO operations at the same time. I wont go more political as to both parties handling of our next combat jet purchase, but in reality it's going to be F-18E/F (and only if Canada decides quickly) or F-35A. Eurofighter as good as it is, is too costly and will not likely give the best spinoffs. Rafale is a nice combat jet but is too uniformly French especially in things like armaments and Gripen has too shaky of a long term future.

F-35 is really showing itself now and is the best long term choice regardless pro or con of lifetime costs. As TT replied to me here it will probably have an attrition replacement part of the contact to make sure RCAF keeps 65 in service for the next what 30+ years. Boeing may even be cheaper up front but will probably be a fly what you buy once production is ended. Only parts replacement and service. Attrition or crashed air frames will not likely be replaced.

But for me for now I say eff it, get of your hands government and make a decision and get this going. I'm now more into the F-35 camp but I'm also rather tired of this multi-year dragged out issue.

The whole purpose of today's presser was to reclarify that they still haven't decided, and won't for sometime.

Yay!!

An Aussie recently wrote an article that pointed out it took them 5.5 years to get their super hornets "up" at that rate you might as well go F-35 even for speed need.

As for this "out of nowhere" readiness problem. Well...

speak of NATO and NORAD while talking about purchasing an aircraft that wont be as interoperable with either. All of NATO that can afford to do so are going F-35 including Denmark who specifically picked it over the super hornet, and of course the us is going to use F-35s and F-22s up north. Canada driving up the costs for the F-35 buyers should canada pick the super hornet. Much friendly, super alliance, very commitment.

Nice charade

Edited July 7, 2016 by TaiidanTomcat

[Don]

...speak of NATO and NORAD while talking about purchasing an aircraft that wont be as interoperable with either. All of NATO that can afford to do so are going F-35 including Denmark who specifically picked it over the super hornet, and of course the US is going to use F-35s and F-22s up north...

TT common sense is not allowed when writing about the F-35 and Canada. Didn't you get the memo... :D.

[TaiidanTomcat]

TT common sense is not allowed when writing about the F-35 and Canada. Didn't you get the memo... :D/>.

:cheers:/>

In defense/defence circles that are aware of the implications, canada is looking ridiculous, and canadians that are aware are highly embarrassed. It's REALLY BAD. And I don't think people realize the true extent of it

[Gordon Shumway]

TT common sense is not allowed when writing about the F-35 and Canada. Didn't you get the memo... :D/>.

:cheers:/>

I agree :D But Canada's government has for much of my life been nutty with the military and no I'm not being political as IMO neither major party has been very wise and both have often stalled, delayed and made ill-prepared decisions. It has cost us tax payers more, most often and left our good military service people out on a hook too often, too long.

This should be a concern as we are first a part of NORAD and I'm sure Washington and the US services get peeved at our political silliness, even if they won't and rightfully so get directly involved in these policy decisions.

As to the point of inter-operability for NATO well F-35 will be a better fit. Look I think Super Hornet is a fine combat jet and yes I have been a big fan of legacy Hornets, but time has and is passing by and F-35 is now proving based on what I'm now seeing/reading to be a better and better machine and long term fit. It is the smarter choice but regardless F-35 vs F-18E/F DAMMIT GET AN ORDER FOR THE RCAF! I'm sick of governments sitting on hands and opening up more studies. Ottawa with Industry Canada and DnD probably have THOUSAND OF PAGES AND HUNDRED OF CD/DVD/MEMORY STICKS/VIDEOS to bloody well know all we need to, to make a damn choice. I say go F-35 as my first choice though.

[TaiidanTomcat]

I agree :D/>/> But Canada's government has for much of my life been nutty with the military and no I'm not being political as IMO neither major party has been very wise and both have often stalled, delayed and made ill-prepared decisions. It has cost us tax payers more, most often and left our good military service people out on a hook too often, too long.

This should be a concern as we are first a part of NORAD and I'm sure Washington and the US services get peeved at our political silliness, even if they won't and rightfully so get directly involved in these policy decisions.

As to the point of inter-operability for NATO well F-35 will be a better fit. Look I think Super Hornet is a fine combat jet and yes I have been a big fan of legacy Hornets, but time has and is passing by and F-35 is now proving based on what I'm now seeing/reading to be a better and better machine and long term fit. It is the smarter choice but regardless F-35 vs F-18E/F DAMMIT GET AN ORDER FOR THE RCAF! I'm sick of governments sitting on hands and opening up more studies. Ottawa with Industry Canada and DnD probably have THOUSAND OF PAGES AND HUNDRED OF CD/DVD/MEMORY STICKS/VIDEOS to bloody well know all we need to, to make a damn choice. I say go F-35 as my first choice though.

Every study or evaluation that canada has done has always come up with the F-35 as the answer. The only people trying to say otherwise are those delibratly ignoring the facts. As ALF said if not for political interference the choice would be F-35. Pure and simple.

Now one could say "haha! But those studies over the years conducted by canada and a dozen other nations could all be wrong!"

Ok, but why bother doing then if you are just going to ignore them? The KPMG report was 2 million dollars. Upgrading the CF-18s to the tune of 500 million to make it to 2025, all so we can suddenly claim that they can't make it? They are trying to screw you

Edited July 7, 2016 by TaiidanTomcat

[DutyCat]

In defense/defence circles that are aware of the implications, canada is looking ridiculous, and canadians that are aware are highly embarrassed. It's REALLY BAD. And I don't think people realize the true extent of it

They should be. Things are starting to happen rapidly now with the program. It was always assumed that the stealth/radar/avionics/software would be worked out in time, and now that there is new video of the aircraft sporting around with obvious energy in airshows, there is less and less to complain about except the cost.

[Don]

Honestly, the only people surprised by Canada edging closer and closer to buying the SH are the Boeing reps. Why? Because they, in all likelihood, have finally found someone dumb enough to go against all the studies done in F-35 vs SH and actually select the loser in the SH :blink: . It hurts the head :wacko: . Yes the Cf-18's need to be replaced and a replacement should have been selected already. But this is nothing new. As another ARC'er posted, this sudden urgency to buy now is just a ruse to save a certain someone's six before the SH can no longer be considered due to production ceasing. I would bet Boeing has been incessant about reminding Canada that it's now or never for the SH...hence the "buy it now" frenzy. Scandalous really. If the RCAF is forced (which is what it will be) to take on the SH it will be because of face saving and nothing more. The losers will be the RCAF and the Canadian tax payers. But hey, he-that-can-not-be-named won't be around when the real fallout starts. He knows that will be someone else's headache a la EH-101.

[TaiidanTomcat]

They should be. Things are starting to happen rapidly now with the program. It was always assumed that the stealth/radar/avionics/software would be worked out in time, and now that there is new video of the aircraft sporting around with obvious energy in airshows, there is less and less to complain about except the cost.

Indeed, and the cost of the F-35 and super hornet is moving in opposite directions

[TaiidanTomcat]

In Todays post, The F-35 thrills at RIAT, The British may opt for F-35As and Bs. Canada continues to Canada, Eurofighter butt hurt, and the US Marines deploy Velociraptors.

Lightning Gives Striking Debut Display at Air Tattoo

Published: 08 Jul 2016

Aviation history has been made today when the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II took to the skies above RAF Fairford in its highly-anticipated international airshow debut at the Air Tattoo.

Visitors witnessed the Joint Strike Fighter's first major airshow appearance outside the US, which demonstrated its Harrier-like 'hover' capability required for operations from austere land bases and aircraft carriers.

The display by the F-35B, the short take-off/vertical landing version, was the latest in a long list of legendary military aircraft that have made their UK debut at the Air Tattoo, including the Typhoon in 1995 and the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Kawasaki P1 in 2015.

Jim Turner from Bolton said: "What can I say! The F-35 demonstration has completely blown me away. I have come all the way here especially to see it for the first time in the air and I am not disappointed. Thank you RIAT for an amazing display. To see the new F-35's with the two Typhoons and the Red Arrows doing a flypast made me cry."

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong added: "Undoubtedly, the highly advanced aircraft's debut appearance was a huge highlight of today's flying programme. The stealthy combat aircraft's display was much anticipated this year, with so many people wanting to witness this piece of aviation history. This fifth generation aircraft is the future of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy air power and it certainly didn't disappoint today."

Earlier this year Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he planned to speed up the purchase of 24 of the multi-role combat aircraft, a decision that will see two front-line squadrons operating from the UK's two new aircraft carriers by 2023.

http://www.airtattoo.com/airshow/visiting/latest-news/n/2016/jul/08/lightning-gives-striking-debut-display-at-air-tattoo

RAF hints that UK could still opt for mixed F-35 fleet

08 Jul 2016 Beth Stevenson

"A Royal Air Force official [howbout occifer?] has revealed that the UK has not ruled out acquiring a mixed fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35s, as the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B that is currently contracted carries out its first display to the British public.

Speaking at the Royal International Air Tattoo on 8 July, where a British F-35B flew, along with US Marine Corps aircraft and US Air Force F-35As, Air Cdre [Commodore] Linc Taylor, assistant chief of staff for capability delivery, combat air said the UK’s commitment to a full acquisition of 138 aircraft may leave room for discussions on also operating the conventional take-off and landing variant.

The UK committed to the acquisition of all planned F-35s in its Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) released in November 2015, although this raised questions about whether it might consider acquiring a mixed fleet of the type.

“What we will do as we go forward into the next SDSR – we have reaffirmed our intent to buy the 138 in the last SDSR – we will look at air force mix,” Taylor told journalists at RIAT. “There is an absolute benefit to maximising combat air power with interoperability with [Eurofighter] Typhoons and the capability from the [Royal Navy's future aircraft] carrier.

“We will look at all of those options as we go forward into the next SDSR.”..."

Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... le-427136/

Harjit Sajjan going back to drawing board on fighter jets, launching consultations

06 Jul 2016 Lee Berthiaume

"The long road to replacing the Air Force's aging fighter jets took another turn Wednesday, as the Liberal government announced it will consult with industry to determine the best new aircraft for Canada.

The move, announced by Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan in a speech to industry representatives, comes after reports last month that the Liberals were considering buying Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets without a competition.

Sajjan said no decision on a new fighter has been made. Rather, officials from National Defence and other federal departments will sit down with fighter jet manufacturers through the summer to determine what they can offer.

"Officials will seek up-to-date information from leading manufacturers on key issues, including cost, economic benefits for Canada, and their ability to deliver planes quickly," he said. "That information will inform a decision on a procurement path in the coming months."

Independent oversight unknown

The government also intends to consult with allies about their experiences using various aircraft.... [bLATHER at URL]

...The Liberals promised during last year's election that they would hold an open competition to replace the CF-18s. But they also promised not to buy the F-35. This created a potential legal situation if the government was seen to discriminate against the stealth fighter.

The F-35 has previously won competitions in South Korea, Japan and Denmark."

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sajjan- ... -1.3666625

I think the 100th government review is always the luckiest.

Saab mounted a fierce defence of its Gripen NG when the Norwegian government and defence ministry used a capability modelling exercise to reject the type in favour of the F-35A in 2008, labelling the analysis “incomplete, or even faulty”. Its decision to withdraw the single-engined type from contention in a Danish contest recently appeared vindicated, when a self-picked panel of experts ranked the Lightning II as superior to the Super Hornet and Typhoon in all categories.

Airbus Defence & Space is now seeking clarification from Copenhagen, with head of military aircraft Fernando Alonso unhappy about the result – which should lead to a 27-aircraft buy. “We totally disagree with how the technical evaluation was done,” he says. Referring to claims about the projected cost, performance and risks associated with a selection of the Typhoon, he adds: “We will fight, and we will demonstrate that they are not true.”

The defeated firm has submitted a list of about 40 questions to the Danish government, but responses had yet to be received by late June.

“The F-35 is a fantastic machine – but not fantastic enough to equip all European air forces,” contends Jean-Pierre Talamoni, Airbus Defence & Space’s head of sales and marketing....

...So, while the F-35’s Farnborough debut will grab many headlines during the show, Lockheed will by no means be having the fighter market of the future all to itself.

Flight Global^

Clever girl: 3-star general compares F-35 to 'Jurassic Park' velociraptor

Saying an advanced military aircraft is like a dinosaur usually isn’t a good thing, but Marine Lt. Gen. Jon Davis meant it as the highest compliment.

The Marine Corps recently put the F-35B Lightning II through its paces in a highly-contested airspace combat scenario. The result? The joint strike fighters were able to destroy all 24 enemy targets without taking any losses.

“It was like 'Jurassic Park,' watching a velociraptor,” Davis said. “It kills everything. It does really well.”

Speaking before the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness Wednesday, Davis said that fourth-generation aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet and EA-6B Prowler would get shot down by their pseudo aggressors when running similar training scenarios.

“We just ran a normal scenario we would have with our legacy aircraft," he said. "Generally about half to a third of the airplanes don’t make it through.”

But the advanced stealth and electronic warfare capabilities of the F-35 are impressing military leaders with their high mission success rates and advanced capabilities, said Davis, the Corps’ deputy commandant for aviation.

“We’re very excited about the airplane," he said. "What we’re seeing right now in the F-35 is exceptional capability. We can’t get that airplane fast enough into the fleet.”

Davis has two sons who are also pilots in the Marine Corps, and he said his oldest is gearing up to fly the F-35.

“[My] youngest one would like to do it, too,” he added.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2016/07/06/clever-girl-3-star-general-compares-f-35-jurassic-park-velociraptor/86774970/

[Emvar]

So the question remains......should I get the kittyhawk kit?

[11bee]

AWS&T is doing a series of articles on stealth. In one, they discuss the attributes of the F-22 and F-35. Obviously their info is based on open source data and RCS is an incredibly complex subject. All that being said, they state that the F-22 has a reduced RCS compared to the F-35 (specifically from the front, although the F-22 also is significantly better from side and rear aspects). I found that interesting because for some reason, I was under the assumption that as a later design, the F-35 was superior to the F-22 in this area.

[82Whitey51]

So the question remains......should I get the kittyhawk kit?

I've heard mumblings of a 1/48 Hasegawa line...seems plausible.

I do have a KH "C" model that I may jump into next. I already know that joining the fuselage halves is problematic, but I have seen one built up in person. So, I know it can be done!