Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)

[Abraham Gubler]

So that's around 200 aircraft delivered or contracted? Mmm death spiral... ;D

 

[Arjen]

Via Defensenews, Inspector General's report (pdf): Quality Assurance Assessment of the F-35 Lightning II Program

　 Findings

The F-35 Program did not sufficiently implement or flow down technical and quality management system requirements to prevent the fielding of nonconforming hardware and software. This could adversely affect aircraft performance, reliability, maintainability, and ultimately program cost. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (Lockheed Martin) and its subcontractors did not follow disciplined AS9100 Quality Management System practices, as evidenced by 363 findings, which contained 719 issues. ​

The Joint Program Office did not:

• Ensure that Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors were applying rigor to design, manufacturing, and quality assurance processes.

• Flow down critical safety item requirements.

• Ensure that Lockheed Martin flowed down quality assurance and technical requirements to subcontractors.

• Establish an effective quality assurance organization.

• Ensure that the Defense Contract Management Agency perform adequate quality assurance oversight.

In addition, the Defense Contract Management Agency did not:

• Sufficiently perform Government quality assurance oversight of F-35 contractors.

　
Recommendations

The Joint Program Office should:

• Ensure compliance with AS9100 throughout the F-35 supply chain.
• Ensure that Lockheed Martin approves all design and material review board changes and variances with Government concurrence.
• Perform process proofing of all critical processes to include first article inspections.
• Modify its contracts to include a quality escape* clause to ensure the Government does not pay for nonconforming product.
• Assess the impacts and risks to all delivered aircraft for all findings.
• Implement an aviation critical safety item program that meets the requirements of Public Law and DoD policy, which would include flow down of requirements for a critical safety item program to Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors.
• Assess the impacts and risks to all delivered aircraft for critical safety item deficiencies.
• Perform technical and quality assurance require-ment flow down and verification throughout the F-35 supply chain.
• Establish an independent quality assurance organiza-tion, which has the authority and resources to enforce the AS9100 standard and F-35 product quality.
• Revise the Defense Contract Management Agency memorandum of agreement to include explicit quality assurance oversight requirements.
• Ensure that Defense Contract Management Agency is performing quality assurance oversight commensurate with product criticality.

The Defense Contract Management Agency should:

• Provide a comprehensive quality assurance oversight plan for Joint Program Office approval to be included in the memorandum of agreement.
• Audit the execution of the quality assurance oversight plan throughout the F-35 supply chain.

* A quality escape is nonconforming material that has entered the product, supply chain, or proceeded beyond the acceptance process.​

　

Management Comments and Our Response

On August 23, 2013, the Joint Program Office and the Defense Contract Management Agency responded to the findings and recommendations in the report. The Joint Program Office agreed with eight recommendations, partially agreed with two, and disagreed with one. The Joint Program Office stated that it does not have the resources to perform process proofing of all critical processes nor has the responsibility or resources to perform requirement flow down verification throughout the F-35 supply chain. However, we disagree because it is the Joint Program Office’s responsibility to ensure contractual compliance to prevent nonconformances. It is also the responsibility of the Joint Program Office to update the contract if the requirements are deficient.
It was also our recommendation that Joint Program Office establish an independent quality assurance organization reporting to the Program Manager. The Joint Program Office disagreed stating that the Defense Contract Management Agency performs the role of the independent quality assurance organization for the F-35. We disagree because the Defense Contract Management Agency is not accountable for program quality assurance goals. An independent quality assurance organization reporting directly to the Program Manager would ensure that performance and reliability objectives are met.
The Defense Contract Management Agency agreed with one recommendation and partially agreed with the second. The Defense Contract Management Agency stated that it would update the memorandum of agreement between the Defense Contract Management Agency and the Joint Program Office, regarding surveillance; however, we disagree and desire specifics on the level of oversight at contractor facilities.

 

[GTX]

UPDATE 2-Lockheed, Pentagon cite improved F-35 quality work since end 2012
Mon, Sep 30 2013

* Pentagon says 78 percent of issues raised already addressed
* "Scrap and rework" rate said to be coming down
* Inspector general cites nearly 900 quality issues on every jet built

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp has resolved many quality problems on the $392 billion F-35 fighter jet program since a troubling audit by the Pentagon inspector general's office last year, top U.S. government and industry officials said on Monday.

The officials were commenting on a report on the year-long in depth assessment by the inspector general, which was completed in December 2012, but not released until Monday.

The report said each radar-evading fighter jet built had over 800 quality issues on average, and faulted both the Pentagon's F-35 program office and the Defense Contracts Management Agency for "inadequate" and "ineffective" oversight of the Pentagon's costliest weapons program.

The report said the issues could lead to "nonconforming hardware, less reliable aircraft and increased cost," but said the F-35 program office was implementing corrective actions.

Additional assessments of the program were being planned, the report added.

The F-35 program is running years behind schedule and 70 percent over initial cost estimates, but Pentagon officials say it has made progress on flight testing, production and long-term operating costs. They have also vowed to protect the program from across-the-board budget cuts to ensure it stays on track.

Lockheed is building three variants of the new jet for the U.S. military and eight countries that funded its development: Britain, Canada, Australia, Norway, Italy, Turkey, Denmark and the Netherlands. Israel and Japan have also ordered jets.

The Pentagon's deputy F-35 program director and Lockheed executives cited significant improvements since the inspector general's assessment concluded last year. The study was the first of its kind ever done on a major weapons program, they said.

"This was a wake-up call that we had to be more rigorous," Eric Branyan, Lockheed's F-35 vice president of program management, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"We take this very seriously," he said, adding that Lockheed had implemented a host of specific initiatives to focus on quality company-wide and had also set up a global quality council with 10 key suppliers.

Branyan said about 13 percent of the work on any F-35 fighter jet centered on resolving quality issues, down from around 18 percent during the first low-rate production batch.

He said Lockheed expected to drive that "scrap and rework" rate down to around 6 percent in several years when production reaches between 500 and 600 jets. The company's popular F-16 fighter jet only hit that 6 percent rate after production of four times as many jets - around 2,600 planes, he added.

The IG's report acknowledged some improvement in work on the F-35 program, but said further gains were needed since repair and rework rates continued to add significant cost.

It said there were an average of 859 "quality action requests" per aircraft in the fourth lot of low-rate production jets, down from over 900 on each of the three earlier sets.

The IG report said Lockheed's scrap, rework and repair rate fell to 13.11 percent in fiscal year 2013, which ends Monday, from 13.82 percent a year earlier, showing only "moderate" change.

"Although it would be unrealistic to expect first production to be issue free, our contractor assessments indicate that greater emphasis on quality assurance, requirement flow down and process discipline is necessary, if the government is to attain lower program costs," the report said.

Lockheed said it had also reduced the number of hours associated with quality issues on each jet to around 80,000, down from around 190,000 hours seen during production of the first batch of low-rate production jets.

Navy Rear Admiral Randy Mahr, the No. 2 official in charge of the F-35 program, said Lockheed and its suppliers were making progress in addressing issues raised by the inspector general's assessment. He said his office was also working closely with the Defense Contract Management Agency to ensure improved oversight.

Of 343 quality problems identified by the IG assessment, some 269 - or 78 percent - had been addressed and closed through specific action plans, and remedies were under way for all but 10 items, where specific plans still needed approval, said Kyra Hawn, spokeswoman for the Pentagon's F-35 program office.

Mahr said a majority of the findings were consistent with weaknesses previously identified by the DCMA and the F-35 Joint Program Office, and did not present new or critical issues that affect the health of the program. But he stressed that the IG assessment was professional and helpful.

"We're intentionally leveraging the lessons learned," Mahr told a small group of reporters. "You can't inspect yourself. We understand that. That's why the (inspector general) is there. We need people to come in and look and point out areas where we aren't paying enough attention."

The inspector general's office looked specifically at work done by Lockheed, the prime contractor on the F-35 program, and five suppliers: Northrop Grumman Corp ; Britain's BAE Systems Plc ; L-3 Communications Holdings Inc, Honeywell International Inc and the United Technologies Corp unit that makes the plane's landing gears.

F-35 program officials said the inspector general's office initially planned to look at Pratt & Whitney, another United Technologies unit that builds the plane's engine under a separate contract with the government, but later skipped that part of the assessment due to funding constraints.

Two engine-related groundings last year occurred after the inspector general's office completed its assessment, Mahr said.

 

[GTX]

Gov't inks 1st deals with domestic firms for F-35 fighter production

The Japanese government signed on Monday its first set of contracts with domestic defense-related manufacturers for join production of U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets from fiscal 2013, the Defense Ministry said.

The ministry identified the firms as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., which will be in charge of conducting the final assembly, IHI Corp., which will make engine parts, and Mitsubishi Electric Corp., which will manufacture radar parts.

Under the deals with the three companies worth about 87.7 billion yen in total, the contract with Mitsubishi Heavy is roughly 63.9 billion yen and those with IHI and Mitsubishi Electric about 18.2 billion yen and 5.6 billion yen, respectively, the ministry said.

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force will introduce the jets as Japan's next-generation mainstay fighter. The country plans to acquire a total of 42 F-35s.

The Defense Ministry also said Japan has concluded negotiations with the United States to buy under the state budget for fiscal 2013 two F-35 jets at an estimated amount of 23 billion yen as part of the total contract worth 45.5 billion yen. They are expected to be delivered to Japan in March 2018.

Being developed by a U.S.-led international consortium, the fighter jet is equipped with cutting-edge technology to evade radar detection.

The agreements with the domestic manufacturers came after Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga issued a statement in March saying Japan will uphold its long-standing ban on arms exports but allow domestic companies to join in making parts for the F-35 on the grounds the United States will strictly control shipments.

Concerns have been raised that such parts exports could run counter to Japan's policy of avoiding possible aggravation of international conflicts, since Israel, which has military tensions with some of its neighbors, is on the list of countries expected to acquire the F-35s.

==Kyodo
Copyright 2013 Kyodo News International.

 

[GTX]

Israel to seek second F-35 squadron
By: ARIE EGOZI TEL AVIV
4 hours ago

The "new situation" between the USA and Iran may result in some immediate procurement decisions by Israel, including the purchase of additional Lockheed Martin F-35s.

Israel is worried about a so-called "smiles campaign" recently initiated by Tehran, which according to Israeli sources has all but removed the option of any future US military action in response to Iran's nuclear programme.

According to Israeli sources, the nation will follow an initial deal for 19 conventional take-off and landing F-35As with a request for at least another 20 of the stealthy combat aircraft, in a move which would give it sufficient volume to equip two squadrons. They add that they believe the US administration will take some steps to facilitate the additional procurement.

In addition to increasing its planned F-35 acquisition, Israel is expected to gain the ability to integrate more nationally-developed systems with the Lockheed type. Following Israeli pressure over several years, Washington agreed to allow its air force to enhance the electronic warfare (EW) system capabilities of its F-35s, which are due to be delivered from late 2017.

While Israel will not be able to advance an earlier plan to also make changes to the F-35's radar, sources say that an approval for a second batch of the aircraft would enable additional EW and weapon systems to again be on the table.

 

[seruriermarshal]

First part made for the first Norwegian F-35, with serial number AM-1. This part is unique for the norwegian F-35, as it is modified for use with a brake chute.

 

[Triton]

F-35 test pilot Elliott Clemence clears up the most common misconceptions he hears about the F-35

http://youtu.be/2cjvx5DsGqo

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131001/DEFREG/310010028

Talk of 6th Gen engine power needs in same story;

...The latter is particularly interesting, given the likelihood that a next-generation fighter would contain some form of directed energy weaponry...

 

[GTX]

Strike Fighter Squadron 101 Hosts F-35C Lightning II Rollout Ceremony
(Source: U.S Navy; issued October 2, 2013)

SAN DIEGO --- The Navy's first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft squadron, the "Grim Reapers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, hosted a rollout ceremony for their new aircraft at the squadron's home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct.1.

The rollout ceremony commemorated the long, storied history of the "Grim Reapers" and the establishment of VFA-101 as the Navy's first F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron.

Retired and active duty service members from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force attended the ceremony, as well as industry partners from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Pratt and Whitney, and BAE Systems.

Several local community leaders also attended, including Niceville, Fla., Mayor Randall Wise; Mary Ester, Fla., Mayor William Creekmore; and Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Mayor Michael Anderson.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Adm. Bill Gortney; Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. David H. Buss; and Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President and General Manager, F-35 Lightning II Program, Lorraine M. Martin provided remarks about the Navy's new aircraft and the legacy of the "Grim Reapers."

Gortney recognized the significance of the rollout ceremony and spoke about the future importance of the fifth-generation fighter in enhancing the flexibility, power projection, and strike capabilities of future carrier air wings and joint task forces.

"Today, we formally recognize the next generation of Naval Aviation - the F-35C," said Gortney. "The most important revolution is fusing these weapons systems with the rest of the weapon system. Our cruisers, destroyers, P-8s, Tritons, and operational and tactical headquarters - the decision makers."

Buss spoke about how the Navy's stealth fighter will ensure that future carrier air wings are capable of fulfilling two important missions - assure access and project power.

"Our Navy needs aircraft capable of overcoming a variety of threats - surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, and tactical aircraft," said Buss. "The F-35C brings stealth capability to the ultimate sea base - the flight deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier - for the first time in our history."

"The F-35C mixed with the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeye, MH-60R/S helicopters will provide carrier-based Naval Aviation the ability to fulfill these requirements well into the future," said Buss, regarding the Navy's ability to combat future threats.

Martin spoke about the unique design and capabilities of the F-35C, which complements the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Navy's current premier strike fighter.

"With its rugged structure to withstand the tough environments aboard our carriers, advanced avionics, high resolution sensors, fused targeting and combat information networks linked directly into the grid, the F-35C will become a critical, lethal node in the strike group network," said Martin.

Vice Commander, 33rd Fighter Wing, Capt. Paul Haas provided a brief overview of the history of the "Grim Reapers," a nickname that has served three difference squadrons - Fighter Squadron (VF) 10, VF-101 and now Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 - since June 1942.

VFA-101 Sailors and officers then paid tribute to the "Grim Reapers" legacy by honoring the first two commanding officers of the original "Grim Reapers" of VF-10, Vice Adm. James H. Flatley, Jr., and Capt. William R. Kane, who both received the Navy Cross for their service during World War II. Flatley was represented by his son, retired Rear Adm. James H. Flatley, III, and Kane was represented by his daughter, Chris Kane Andrews.

Throughout the years, the "Grim Reapers" have fought in various aircraft, including the F4F Wildcat, the FG1-D Corsair, the F-4 Phantom, the F-14 Tomcat and currently the F-35C. The "Grim Reapers" flew combat missions in the Battle of Guadalcanal and the Korean War and at various times since World War II, served as trainers for future Naval Aviators joining the fleet.

"The legacy of the Grim Reapers is one, quite literally, for the history books. Not only for its past legacy, but also of the expectations of the future," said Martin. "With the F-35C under this squadrons command, VFA-101 will once again have the opportunity to fly their flag and leave their mark on aviation history."
"Today's grim reapers are picking up where VF-101 left off almost a decade ago, laying a new foundation for training our nation's premier carrier-based strike fighter aviators and maintainers," said Haas.

VFA-101 received the Navy's first F-35C June 22, 2013, from Lockheed Martin, becoming the Navy's first F-35C squadron, and completed its first check flight in the squadron's new aircraft Aug. 14, a milestone that reinforced the Navy-industry partnership and represented a step forward in the development of the Navy's next generation fighter. As the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, VFA-101 trains Navy aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the F-35C. (ends)

Navy Stands Up F-35C Squadron At Eglin
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued October 2, 2013)

FORT WORTH, Texas --- Tuesday, the U.S. Navy and the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., officially reconstituted the highly decorated VFA-101 Grim Reapers Squadron during ceremonies held on the Emerald Coast.

VFA-101 will fly the Navy’s newest aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II carrier variant, to perform the mission of training pilots and sailors to fly and service the aircraft fleet. The speakers challenged the Grim Reapers to prepare sailors to fly and maintain the F-35C safely at sea, where its stealth, sensors and communication systems will make the entire carrier strike group more effective. The U.S. Navy’s F-35C Initial Operating Capability is scheduled for 2019.

“The F-35C brings a broad range of force packages to the Navy fleet – capitalizing on the integration of advanced mission systems, stealth technology and supersonic capabilities,” said Lorraine Martin, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Program “The F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and rapid response of carrier air wings and joint task forces for decades to come.”


Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion

-ends-

 

[Triton]

Published on Oct 3, 2013

The VFA-101 Grim Reapers are the Navy's first F-35C carrier variant training squadron, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Hear from one of the original Grim Reapers and current F-35 pilots about how the F-35C will continue the squadron's legacy.

http://youtu.be/_TLx2lQaXxU

 

[Triton]

Published on Oct 3, 2013

Northrop Grumman delivered the center fuselage for Australia's first F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Lockheed Martin on Sept. 23. This center fuselage will be integrated into the first of 100 center fuselages that will be manufactured at Palmdale for the Royal Australian Air Force.

http://youtu.be/a-HnD8IJXZY

 

[GTX]

Media Release associated with above:

Northrop Grumman Delivers Center Fuselage For Australia's First F-35 Lightning II
(Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation; issued October 3, 2013)

PALMDALE, Calif. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the center fuselage for Australia's first F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Lockheed Martin on Sept. 23. This center fuselage will be integrated into a conventional takeoff and landing variant of the F-35 and represents the first of 100 center fuselages that will be manufactured at Palmdale for the Royal Australian Air Force.

"This center fuselage will be incorporated into the first F-35 for the Royal Australian Air Force and will be delivered in 2014 for pilot training," said Brian Chappel, vice president of the F-35 program for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "The first Australian center fuselage was inducted into our Integrated Assembly Line (IAL) at Palmdale last October and now we've delivered it, marking yet another milestone achievement for the F-35 program."

As one of eight international partners on the program, Australia joined the F-35 program in 2002 and has made significant contributions to the design and development phases of the program.

Northrop Grumman's IAL maximizes robotics and automation, providing additional assembly capability while meeting engineering tolerances that are not easily achieved using manual methods. The IAL is central to producing the F-35's center fuselage as well as increasing the program's affordability, quality and efficiency. Currently, there are 35 center fuselages in flow on the IAL, including another center fuselage for Australia.

As a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry team, Northrop Grumman performs a significant share of the work required to develop and produce the aircraft. In addition to manufacturing the F-35 center fuselage, Northrop Grumman designed and produces the aircraft's radar and other key avionics including electro-optical, communications, navigation and identification subsystems.

Northrop Grumman also develops mission systems and mission planning software, leads the team's development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware and manages the team's use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies. In 2012, the company delivered 32 center fuselages and is on track to exceed delivery quantities in 2013.

Northrop Grumman's Palmdale site is a world-class facility that provides assembly, integration, testing and long-term maintenance capabilities for the F-35 and some of the world's other most advanced aircraft, including the B-2 Spirit and RQ-4 Global Hawk.


Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.

-ends-

 

[Arjen]

Aviation Week's Amy Butler: Pentagon Withholds 5% of Pratt's F135 Earnings

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) informed Pratt on Sept. 30 that it will withhold 5% -- the maximum amount allowable under federal regulations -- of all of its billings for the next three lots of F135 engines and a Navy contract related to finding fuel savings for the F-35's propulsion system. The reason is the company's inability to comply with the Earned Value Management System (EVMS), a set of protocols used for the Pentagon to oversee the cost, schedule and performance of a contractor's progress on various programs. DCMA audited Pratt in April and has since pulled back the company's certification with the system.
[...]
F-35 Program Executive Officer USAF Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan met with Pratt executives Oct. 4 to discuss the plan to get the company back into compliance, says Joe Dellavedova, a spokesman for the program office. The program office supports the DCMA's withhold as EVMS is "meant to protect taxpayers from over-billing and focuses on the business systems defense companies use to estimate costs for bids; purchase goods from subcontractors; manage property and materials; and track for cost and schedule progress," Dellavedova says.
[...]
Pratt is working on four areas to improve its EVMS compliance: updating documentation to better align with process, improving how scheduling tools are managed and integrated, better cost estimating and forecasting and improving planning for work packages. The company has submitted corrective action plans for each to DCMA for approval.
[...]
Lockheed was decertified for falling short in roughly half of the 32 EVMS guidelines reviewed by DCMA, and DCMA decertified the company after trying for three years to right the problems. They first came to light in 2007. Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter were the only two defense contractors to be decertifed for EVMS compliance in the last decade.

Full article here: Pentagon Withholding 5% Of Pratt & Whitney F135 Billings

 

[Arjen]

From Jane's: F-35 project seeks to overcome EW obsolescence

Anika Torruella, Washington DC - IHS Jane's International Defence Review

07 October 2013

The United States has embarked on a technology refresh development track for the electronic warfare (EW) module of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to overcome obsolescence issues before the system has even made it into service.

This has seen the US Naval Air Systems Command place a USD149 million contract to Lockheed Martin, as a modification to a previous advanced acquisition deal and covers the "redesign and qualification of replacement F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Electronic Warfare system components due to current diminishing manufacturing sources".

Principal components of the fifth-generation multi-mission F-35's integrated avionics suite are the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS), the Lockheed Martin AAQ-40 Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), a VSI (joint venture between Elbit Systems and Rockwell Collins) Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS), and BAE Systems' digital AN/ASQ-239 (Barracuda) system derived from the F-22 Raptor's AN/ALR-94 EW suite.

 

[seruriermarshal]

;D

First F-35 For Australia Takes Shape In Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 8, 2013 – Lockheed Martin and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the beginnings of the first F-35 Lightning II for Australia yesterday. The aircraft, designated as AU-1, officially began the mate process, where major components of the aircraft are joined together to form the aircraft’s structure. AU-1 will then make its way down the assembly line and roll out of the factory for delivery to the RAAF in the summer of 2014.

Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin Vice President and Deputy Program Manager for F-35, highlighted the ongoing partnership between Lockheed Martin and Australia. “Today marks a new beginning for tactical aviation for Australia,” said Babione. “Lockheed Martin is proud of our long and storied relationship with Australian aviation, and now, the F-35 will ensure that the relationship with the RAAF and Australian Industry remains strong for decades to come.”

The global supply chain for the F-35 currently has 14 Australian companies under contract and building parts for the F-35. Australian industry is expected to gain up to $6.3 billion USD in industry opportunities over the life of the F-35 program. Every F-35 built will have some Australian parts and components.

The occasion also marked a longstanding history between Lockheed Martin and Australia’s Defence Forces, beginning with the Lockheed Vega, F-111 and continuing with the F-35. Australia’s first two F-35s, now in production, will be delivered to the RAAF next year.

 

[GTX]

F-35 Lightning II Program Surpasses 10,000 Flight Hours
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Oct. 9, 2013)

FORT WORTH, Texas --- The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program continues its operational maturation, surpassing 10,000 flight hours in September. More than half of the total hours were accumulated in just the past 11 months. Through September, F-35s flew 6,492 times for a total of 10,077 flight hours. The new milestone effectively doubles the safe flight operations of the F-35 in a year, compared to reaching 5,000 flight hours in six years.

This milestone was achieved by operational production aircraft operating at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., where F-35 pilots and aircraft maintainers conduct training and the combined F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and Operational Test (OT) aircraft operating at Edwards AFB, Calif., Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and Nellis AFB, Nev. All three variants: the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL), the F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL), and the F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) participated in the program milestone.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.


Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 Billion.

-ends-

 

[FighterJock]

F-35 Lightning II Program Surpasses 10,000 Flight Hours
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Oct. 9, 2013)

FORT WORTH, Texas --- The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program continues its operational maturation, surpassing 10,000 flight hours in September. More than half of the total hours were accumulated in just the past 11 months. Through September, F-35s flew 6,492 times for a total of 10,077 flight hours. The new milestone effectively doubles the safe flight operations of the F-35 in a year, compared to reaching 5,000 flight hours in six years.

This milestone was achieved by operational production aircraft operating at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., where F-35 pilots and aircraft maintainers conduct training and the combined F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and Operational Test (OT) aircraft operating at Edwards AFB, Calif., Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and Nellis AFB, Nev. All three variants: the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL), the F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL), and the F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) participated in the program milestone.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.


Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 Billion.

-ends-

Well done Lockheed Martin, lets hope for more good news for the F-35.

 

[seruriermarshal]

F-35 Program Halts Development Of Alternate Helmet

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 10, 2013 – The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) today informed Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] that it decided to halt development of the alternate F-35 helmet and focus exclusively on maturing the Rockwell Collins Elbit Systems of America Vision Systems Generation 2 (Gen 2) helmet currently used in training and testing. The program will recoup approximately $45 million in funds it had originally allocated for the development of the alternate helmet.

In 2011, program and industry officials acknowledged that there were technical issues facing the principle helmet system. To ensure viable combat capability was available when needed, the program began a dual-path development plan as a risk-management strategy in the event maturity issues facing the Gen 2 helmet could not be resolved. BAE Systems began developing the alternate helmet in September 2011.

“The government's decision to proceed exclusively with the principle helmet is indicative of their confidence in the helmet's performance and the successful resolution of previously identified technical challenges,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “To date, more than 100 F-35 pilots have flown more than 6,000 flights and 10,000 hours with the helmet, and their feedback has been very positive. Lockheed Martin and its suppliers will continue to focus on developing and delivering the helmet's unprecedented capabilities to the warfighter in support of the services’ declaration of Initial Operating Capability.”

The F-35’s Helmet Mounted Display Systems provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness; all the information pilots need to complete their missions – through all weather, day or night – is projected on the helmet’s visor. Additionally, the F-35’s Distributed Aperture System streams real-time imagery from six infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft to the helmet, allowing pilots to “look through” the airframe.

Beginning with aircraft in Low Rate Initial Production lot 7, the program will introduce a Gen 3 helmet that features an improved night vision camera, new liquid crystal displays, automated alignment and software enhancements.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2013/october/131010ae_f-35-halts-alternate-helmet.html

 

[seruriermarshal]

F-35A AF-35 First Flight

Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti was at the controls for the first flight of F-35A AF-35 (US Air Force serial number 11-5024). The flight occurred on 7 October 2013 with takeoff and landing at NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas.

 

[seruriermarshal]

AF-34 11-5023/EG first flight 1 October.

F-35A AF-34 First Flight

Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti was at the controls for the first flight of F-35A AF-34 (US Air Force serial number 11-5023). The flight occurred on 1 October 2013 with takeoff and landing at NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas.

 

[seruriermarshal]

Lockheed Martin test pilot Paul Hattendorf was at the controls for the first flight of F-35C CF-10 (US Navy Bureau Number 168841). The flight occurred on 26 September 2013 with takeoff and landing at NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas.

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://defensetech.org/2013/10/10/pentagon-scraps-alternative-f-35-helmet/

 

[GTX]

Defense Minister: F-35 'a Cornerstone' for IAF
By Gil Ronen
First Publish: 10/10/2013, 10:45 PM

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon visited Thursday at the assembly line where F-35 stealth jets are being built, at the Lockheed Martin factory in Texas.

The minister was hosted by Lockheed Martin's president, Marillyn Hewson. In the course of the tour, he was briefed by senior officials in Lockheed Martin about the firm and about the progress of the F-35 project.

At the assembly line, he received detailed explanations about the different components of the F-35.

"As someone who used to jump so many times from Lockheed Martin Hercules planes in paratroop exercises, and after two days of meetings in the US, I wanted to see the real thing,” Yaalon said. “The F-35 is a cornerstone in building the force of the IAF and IDF.”

"This is a meaningful event for us,” he added. “Unfortunately, we are experienced at military operations because we have no choice but to defend ourselves, and that is why I think we are lucky to have an ally like the United States and to enjoy the capabilities of Lockheed Martin.

"We have enjoyed the F-16 over the years, and I think there is a great future for the Israeli Air Force with the unique capabilities that the F-35 brings with it,” he added. “We are impatiently expecting to receive this jet, which was designed with knowledge and spirit, and will give the IAF great operative abilities.”

 

[GTX]

Dutch to commence F-35 training
Nicholas Fiorenza, Brussels - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
13 October 2013

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is to shortly begin training air and ground personnel on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the country's Defence Minister disclosed on 9 October.

Speaking to parliament in the Hague, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said that RNLAF pilots and technicians will begin training at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida at the end of October. The disclosure comes weeks after she announced that the Netherlands will procure a total of 37 JSFs to replace the RNLAF's Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons.

The pilots will start off with theoretical training and begin flying with the JSF in December. The training aims to prepare pilots and maintenance personnel for the operational test phase beginning in 2015.

The Netherlands will participate in both parts of this phase, testing the JSF's Block 2 software starting in 2015, followed by the testing of Block 3 software in 2017-2018. Dutch participation in the first part of the operational test phase was made possible by a delay in the start of the operational test phase and the extension of its duration, Hennis-Plasschaert told parliament. Dutch personnel will join their US and UK counterparts who have already completed a year of the initial two-year operational test phase.

The two Dutch F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft (AN-1, delivered in April 2012, and AN-2 delivered in March 2013) are currently at Eglin AFB. The two aircraft, along with the Dutch personnel, will move to Edwards AFB in California for the second part of the operational test phase.

Hennis-Plasschaert described the beginning of Dutch training at the end of October as an "irreversible step" in the Netherlands' JSF programme.

Participation in the operational test phase will cost the Netherlands EUR21.6 million (USD29.3 million) at current prices, and operating the two Dutch JSFs between 2013 and 2018 will cost EUR52.6 million (USD71.3 million), excluding munition usage.

 

[Arjen]

The Inquisitr: The F-35 Fighter Jet: Norway Wants 6 More

Norway wants six more of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet.

The Scandinavian nation had already ordered six of the jets this year, but it wants six more. If approved by the Norwegian Parliament, the deal would be worth 7.38 billion kroner, roughly $1.23 billion.

The Norwegian government announced its intentions to procure 52 of the F-35 fighter jets in 2008 for a $64 billion price tag. Norway had already purchased four F-35 fighters in 2011. The fighter jets would be delivered by 2018 with the six already approved.

Monday’s proposal came as part of the outgoing parliament’s 2014 budget. The current government is stepping down after losing last month’s parliamentary elections with the Conservative Party’s Erna Solberg defeat of the Labour Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

According to reports, leaders of the incoming government intend to continue with the procurement of the 52 F-35 fighters.
[...]

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/cracks-discovered-on-f-35b-bulkheads-391647/?cmpid=NLC|FGFG|FGFDN-2013-1016-GLOB|news&sfid=70120000000taAm

 

[GTX]

First Ship Set of Magellan Aerospace F-35A Horizontal Tail Assemblies Installed
Source: Magellan Aerospace Corp.; issued Oct. 16, 2013

TORONTO --- Magellan Aerospace announced today, that the first complete ship set of F-35A Lightning II horizontal tail assemblies produced at its Winnipeg manufacturing division was successfully installed onto the aircraft at Lockheed Martin's final assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas.

This successful installation of Magellan's horizontal tail assemblies is a key program milestone for the Corporation and demonstrates the many contributions being made by Canadian aerospace companies in the early stages of the F-35 program.

Magellan is under contract with BAE Systems, a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry team, to produce horizontal tail assemblies for the Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant of F-35. Magellan is expected to produce more than 1,000 sets of the components for the program over, approximately, a 20-year period.

"The reports we have received from Lockheed and BAES indicate that the product we delivered to the assembly line was installed without complication," said Mr. James Butyniec, President and Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Aerospace. "We are pleased to see another of our F-35 assemblies preparing to take flight for the first time." In addition to the horizontal tail, Magellan has produced the vane box assemblies and transition ducts for all of the F-35B Short Take Off and Landing variants flying today.

Magellan's proactive investment in facilities, equipment, and processes in support of the F-35 Lightning II program has positioned Magellan to realize sales approaching $2.0B Cdn over the life of the F-35 program. Magellan's revenues to date on the F-35 program exceed $100M Cdn.

Since the inception of Canada's participation in the F-35 program in 1997, Canadian companies like Magellan Aerospace have been invited to compete for significant opportunities in support of this international program. This program milestone validates that companies such as Magellan can be successful and competitive in todays globalized aerospace supply chain.


Magellan Aerospace is a global, integrated aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, and defence and space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets, advanced products for military and space markets, industrial power generation, and specialty products. Magellan is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with operating units throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Poland.

-ends-

 

[seruriermarshal]

First flight for AF-39 (11-5028) in primer took place Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

[Radical]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/23/us-korea-fighter-lockheed-idUSBRE99M0ZL20131023

 

[GTX]

[/size]Navy F-35C Completes First Weapons Separation Test
(Source: F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office; issued Oct. 25, 2013)

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- The Navy variant of the F-35 executed the first airborne separation test of an inert weapon on 21 October.

Marine Corps test pilot Capt Justin Carlson flew the F-35C test aircraft known as CF-2 over an Atlantic test range when he released the 500-pound inert Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) Paveway II laser-guided weapon from an internal weapons bay. With Monday's weapons separation, all three F-35 variants have released ordnance from their weapons bays.

The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2014.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.

-ends-

 

[bobbymike]

Luke Stands Up F-35A Training Squadron

Officials at Luke AFB, Ariz., activated the 61st Fighter Squadron, the first of six such units at the base that will train pilots to fly the F-35A strike fighter. The activation ceremony took place on Oct. 25, reported the Arizona Republic. The unit, dubbed the "Top Dogs," is expected to receive its first F-35A in January; at full strength in about two years, it will have 24 F-35As, according to the newspaper. Initially, the squadron will train the pilots who will serve as instructors at Luke. By 2015, the instructors are expected to begin training pilots who will go on to serve in F-35A combat-ready units. Overall, the Air Force plans to station up to 144 F-35As at Luke for the pilot training. The 61st FS traces its heritage back to 1941. From April 1994 to August 2010, the unit trained F-16 pilots at Luke before the Air Force inactivated it when the service retired some older F-16s in the inventory. 10/29/2013

 

[seruriermarshal]

;D

F-35B strikes tank with guided bomb in test

A Lockheed Martin F-35B has completed its first guided weapons delivery test, striking a tank with a GBU-12 Paveway II weapon, according to Lockheed Martin.

The test happened 29 October at the Edwards Air Force Base Precision Impact Range Area in California, Lockheed says in a media release.

The GBU-12, which integrates a 227kg (500lb) general-purpose bomb with a nose-mounted laser seeker and flight guidance fins, did not contain an explosive charge.

The F-35B, the short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the joint strike fighter, released the weapon from 25,000ft and the bomb fell for 35s, Lockheed says.

The pilot, Marine Corps Maj Richard Rusnok, identified, designated and tracked the target using the F-35’s electro-optical targeting system, which Lockheed says is the first sensor to combine forward-looking infrared, infrared search and tracking capabilities and a laser designator.

"This guided-weapons delivery test of a GBU-12 marks the first time the F-35 truly became a weapon system," says Rusnok in the release. "It represents another step forward in the development of this vital program."

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-35b-strikes-tank-with-guided-bomb-in-test-392372/

 

[TaiidanTomcat]

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/467412/f-35a-conducts-first-live-fire-with-amraam.aspx

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) --
The F-35 Lightning II executed its first live-fire launch of a guided air-to-air missile over a military test range off the California coast on Oct. 30.

The AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) was fired from an F-35A (AF-6) conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant fighter operating from the F-35 Integrated Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The test pilot, Air Force Captain Capt. Logan Lamping employed the AIM-120 radar-seeking missile from the F-35's internal weapons bay against an aerial drone target in restricted military sea test range airspace. Test data and observers confirmed the F-35 identified and targeted the drone with its mission systems sensors, passed the target "track" information to the missile, and launched the AIM-120 from the aircraft to engage the target drone. After launch, the missile successfully acquired the target and followed an intercept flight profile. Moments before the missile was about to destroy the target, a self-destruct signal was sent to the AIM-120 in order to preserve the aerial drone for use in future tests.

"This successful missile launch marks the first live-fire weapons test and is an initial demonstration of the air-to-air combat capability the F-35 will bring to the U.S. Military and our international partners" said Charlie Wagner, weapons team lead for the F-35 Joint Program Office. "This test represents the culmination of many years of careful planning by combined government and contractor teams. It is one test, with many more to come, to ensure operators will receive the combat capability they need to execute their mission and return home safely."

The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a radar-guided air-to-air missile and is the U.S. military's standard air intercept missile carried on tactical fighter aircraft. The AIM-120 is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) capable of all-weather, day-and-night operations, and is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor.

The F-35's fire control system programs the missile's internal guidance unit and provides mid-course updates from the aircraft via a data link to guide the AMRAAM toward its target. The AMRAAM's control section controls the missile in flight using four movable tail fins. As soon as the target is within range,
the AMRAAM activates its active radar seeker for autonomous terminal homing.

The F-35A air-to-air missile test occurred the day after an F-35B variant demonstrated a successful air-to-ground weapons test of a 500-pound Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) Paveway II laser-guided bomb over a test range at Edwards Air Force Base on Oct 29.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.

 

[seruriermarshal]

A PIC

;D

 

[GTX]

Australia's F-35 Buy Unaffected by US Sequestration
Aircraft Begins 'Mate' Process With Lockheed
Oct. 31, 2013 - 03:45AM | By NIGEL PITTAWAY

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Australia’s F-35A program is on track despite recent delays to flight tests caused by budget sequestration in the United States, according to the country’s head of New Air Combat Capability (NACC).

However, Air Vice Marshal Kym Osley said the NACC Project Office estimates there may be up to seven months of risk remaining in the development of the war-fighting capability software, known as Block 3F (Final). While this isn’t likely to affect Australian operational capability, which is not due until the end of 2020, it could affect US Marine Corps and Air Force plans.

The first Australian F-35A, known as AU-1, began the “mate” process on the Lockheed Martin production line in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 7 and is due to roll out July 1, 2014. During the process, the aircraft’s structure is formed as major components are joined.

The Australian government reaffirmed its commitment to acquiring 72 F-35A fighters to replace its older F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet in May and has a potential requirement for 28 more, depending on future decisions involving its Super Hornets. The initial program of record for 72 aircraft is valued at AUS $3.2 billion (US $3.08 billion), based on 2009 figures.

Fourteen F-35As are approved. But so far only two have been ordered, with the second aircraft set to roll out in Fort Worth on Aug. 1. The first two will be used to train Australian F-35 pilots at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., before being delivered to Australia in 2018.

Speaking on his return to Australia, Osley said progress on the international Joint Strike Fighter program was also on track for US Marine Corps initial operating capability (IOC) in 2015 and the US Air Force in late 2016.

Stealth and flight performance are meeting expectations, he said, but flight testing is running behind schedule due to the effects of sequestration.

“Flight testing is behind schedule by around three weeks, due in part because of the furloughs imposed by sequestration,” Osley said. “A lot of the flight testing is done using US defense civilians, and they are trying to catch that back up but may not get that completed by the end of the year.

“There are some delays in the acceptance of airplanes, caused by the processes they are using,” he added. “It is not a significant delay, but aircraft are sitting around for a few tens of days before they are accepted and inducted by their various owners. The JPO [Joint Program Office] is currently looking at how they might streamline those procedures.”

Osley noted that testing of the F-35A variant is 40 percent to 45 percent complete and he saw no “showstoppers.”

He said the system’s design and development phase was fully funded and that the principal executive officer, Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, had briefed international partners at the recent JSF Executive Steering Board that funding was adequate.

Osley said Bogdan had also briefed the board that the US remains committed to purchasing 2,443 F-35s.
“The F-35 buy that was in progress at the time of sequestration, [low-rate initial production] 7, took around an 8 [percent] to 10 percent hit, but the US managed to negotiate a price with Lockheed Martin whereby all aircraft were procured within the cost cap, so it was quite a remarkable outcome that they didn’t reduce their number of aircraft at all,” he said. “As far as aircraft costs go, it was good news this year that LRIP 6 came out about 4 percent below LRIP 5, which was in turn below the estimated cost, and LRIP 7 was a further 4 percent below LRIP 6. Essentially, the costs of the airplane are coming in just under the congressionally estimated cost.

“From a hardware point of view, the airplane is developing very well, so I’m not laying awake at night worrying about hardware technical risks,” he said. “There is software risk; all software presents a risk and this is the most complex software ever, but I’m very pleased that the metrics are indicating it’s all heading in a very positive direction.”

Andrew Davies, a senior analyst from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the program is “showing signs of being much more tightly managed” than in years past.

“The cost reductions evident in LRIP 6 and 7 batches is very welcome and reflects a maturity of the production processes and design stability,” he said. “Software remains the potential Achilles’ heel of the program and is probably the area of most concern. In a platform as dependent on its computer processing power as the F-35, capability is tightly tied to the performance of its software suite and delays or underperformance will impact on capability — at least in the aircraft’s early days. That said, the management of the software program seems to have been tightened up and the recent critical design review of Block 3F software should have provided management with a clearer picture on its status.”

Bogdan has briefed international partners that the advanced training software, Block 2B, is on track to support US Marine Corps IOC in July 2015, but the Marines have a fallback plan of late 2015 if required.
The next software version is Block 3I (Initial), which has the same capabilities as Block 2B (the initial war fighter) but can be used outside the continental US by other nations, and Osley said it is on track for the end of 2015.

With Australian confidence high for on-time delivery of its F-35As, Osley said he is now focusing on ensuring local infrastructure and training will be in place to stand up the first operational squadron, representing IOC, in late 2020.

 

[GTX]

Labour MPs Back Purchase of Joint Strike Fighter
(Source: Dutch News; published Nov. 7, 2013)

The Labour party on Wednesday evening gave the green light to the purchase of the [F-35] JSF jet fighter, although it is asking for additional guarantees.

In September, Labour ministers, who had opposed the purchase of the JSF, said they were in favour of the plan, clearing the way for cabinet approval.

The parliamentary Labour party has now given its backing to the purchase. However, it still wants guarantees about the amount of noise pollution people living near to the JSF base will suffer and about the amount of jobs buying the plane will create.

In September, the government said it will buy 37 JSF jets which will keep the cost within the €4.5bn special budget set aside for the purpose. They will cost an additional €270m a year to keep in the air, the Telegraaf reported at the time.

-ends-

 

[GTX]

Defence Debate Mainly Dominated by the F-35
(Source: Netherlands Ministry of Defence; issued Nov. 7, 2013)
(Issued in Dutch only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

Beginning in 2019, the F-35 will replace the F-16 as the fighter aircraft of the Dutch air force. The Standing Committee on Defence late last night has signed a majority agreement to purchase at least 37 aircraft, after a debate lasting over 13 hours in which ministers Dijsselbloem, Camp and Hennis-Plasschaert discussed the future plans for the armed forces focused around the F-35.

The debate offered coalition party PvdA sufficient guarantees to be convinced to back the plan, in addition to the VVD, CDA, Christian Union and SGP parties which had already voted in its favour.

Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who made the Cabinet decision in favour of the F-35, recently published a note detailing the interest of the Netherlands. "By choosing the F-35, Defense deliberately chooses a technically advanced and future-oriented Air Force. The device offers the most options in terms of military operational perspectives.

But before acquisition a final decision is required by a Parliamentary majority which signed off on the program late last night. "This is a great day for the Air Force, the armed forces and for the Netherlands", Hennis said at the end of the debate said. "Finally, there is clarity for the Defense staff, and clarity for our international partners."

Special Representative

Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp announced that the government will appoint a special representative for business. This is intended to help Dutch industry to win jobs related to the F-35 project. According to Kamp, the Netherlands can bring in orders worth as much as €8 billion to €10 billion over the aircraft’s production, which is due to continue until 2045.

Price Development

According to Minister Hennis, the Netherlands will be able to buy all 37 aircraft within the budget of € 4.5 billion "We have a contingency reserve of 10% and we expect that the purchase price of the aircraft will continue to decrease over the next few years," she said.

Aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin will deliver the first Dutch F-35 in 2019, and the last five years later.

Van Ghent Station

In addition to the F-35, the committee also discussed the Joint Support Ship Karel Doorman, the survival of 45 Infantry Battalion and the future of the barracks in Assen. Some groups also asked the minister to look to keep the Van Ghent barracks in Rotterdam open for opportunities.

The full Chamber will, during the budget debate next week, further discuss a number of other defense-related subjects. After the budget debate, the House will vote on the individual motions submitted.

-ends-

 

[GTX]

F-35s On Track for Delivery
(Source: Royal Australian Air Force; issued; Nov. 13, 2013)

As Australia's first F-35A – commonly known as the Joint Strike Fighter – rolls along the assembly-line, Air Force’s first F-35A squadron is on track to be operational in 2020, according to New Air Combat Capability Project Manager Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Kym Osley.

AVM Osley was at the F-35A manufacturing plant Fort Worth in Texas recently when the RAAF’s first F-35A came together. “They put the three parts of the fuselage together and installed the wings,” AVM Osley said. “We expect the first Australian F-35A to come off the production line in July 2014 and the second in August 2014.”

After production is complete, the jets will fly to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona to be used in the pilot training pool. “They will be integrated into a US Air Force squadron as part of the pilot training continuum,” AVM Osley said. “We expect our first Australian pilot to start training in early 2015. There will be more people training in the years after that and we expect our first aircraft to be in Australia in 2018.”

The first operational squadron of F-35As, which will be No. 3 Squadron, should be up and running by the end of 2020. AVM Osley said the new F-35As came in slightly less than the expected $130 million for each aircraft and future aircraft were expected to reduce further in price. “It is pleasing to see that the program has been able to get the price of the aircraft down, with the aircraft costs in each successive annual production run coming in below the previous year, and below US Government estimated costs,” he said.

He said the program had undergone significant testing but about 60 per cent was still to be completed. “In terms of testing there are no show stoppers at this point in time,” he said. “Now they’re up to dropping air-to-air and air-to-ground telemetry weapons. Later this year they will be seeing the first live ‘all up’ missiles and bombs to test end-to-end performance and accuracy.”

With system development and testing of the aircraft being done by the Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin in the US, the main job of the RAAF was to prepare for the integration of the F-35A into RAAF service, according to AVM Osley.

-ends-

 

[seruriermarshal]

F-35B BF-35 First Flight

Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti was at the controls for the first flight of F-35B BF-35 (US Navy Bureau Number 168838). The flight occurred on 12 November 2013 with takeoff and landing at NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas.

 

[seruriermarshal]

;D

Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti was at the controls for the first flight of F-35A AF-36 (US Air Force serial number 11-5025). The flight occurred on 14 November 2013 with takeoff and landing at NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas.