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

F-35 "price sinks to US$80-85m" in FY2019 Dollars?

"Courtesy of 'Spazsinbad', I first read this at the Sydney Morning Herald website and wondered why I didn't see anything about it at any of the so-called 'leading' defense websites:


JSF price sinks to US$80-85m

Australia looks like paying a less than expected $US80-$US85 million for each F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and that could drop if production ramps up. That's much cheaper than recent indications of over $US100 million ($A111.73 million) per aircraft. Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, who heads the JSF acquisition program for the US military, said the price included profit for JSF manufacturer Lockheed Martin and was in 2019 dollars, accounting for inflation. That's less than the $130 million budgeted price for each of Australia's first two, which are in production set for delivery in the US later this year and next (Read it all here ).

The initial reaction around the web appears to be muted to say the least, especially compared to what it has been whenever hypothetical and amorphous outside cost 'estimates' have gone up. Could the Anti-JSF bias be any more blatant?"

http://elementsofpower.blogspot.com/2014/03/f-35-price-sinks-to-us80-85m-in-fy2019.html
 
F-35 fighter purchase reasonable: report
MARCH 24, 2014 1:41AM
http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/f-35-fighter-purchase-reasonable-report/story-e6frfku9-1226862761303#


AUSTRALIA is likely to push ahead with the acquisition of its first operational F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, according to a report by an independent defence think tank.In a report released on Monday, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says it makes most sense for the federal government to commit to spending between $8 billion and $10 billion on 58 of the fighters, which are expected to enter service in 2020.

Report authors Andrew Davies and Harry White say the F-35 is a capable fighter with an ability to penetrate sophisticated air defences, but note that other factors, including political relations, point towards a likely buy.

"Because we're an international program partner on the JSF, the economies of scale for other buyers - including the US - will be reduced if we don't purchase the aircraft," they say.

Start-up costs to take on the JSF are predicted to be $2 billion, with a ongoing annual cost of about $200 million.

"In the final analysis, the government seems likely to be prepared to pay a moderate premium to maintain a high-end air-combat capability, and to preserve the other benefits to industry and the alliance with Washington," the report says.

"On balance, that looks like a reasonable decision for Australia."

As the government keeps a watchful eye on Australia's budget, the report suggests an option of reducing the F-35 order to 50, thus saving about $800 million on the initial cost.

Australian industry has secured contracts worth more than $US300 million ($A332.54 million) to manufacture F-35 components, with the injection to the economy possibly reaching $US5 billion over the lifetime of the program.
 
Flightglobal: South Korea formally decides on 40 F-35As
South Korea formally decides on 40 F-35As
By: Greg WaldronSingaporeSource: Flightglobal.com

South Korea has formally decided to obtain 40 Lockheed Martin F-35As to fill its long running F-X III requirement.

“We are honoured by and appreciate the trust and confidence the Republic of Korea has placed in the 5th Generation F-35 to meet its demanding security requirements,” says Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

“We look forward to supporting the discussions between the Republic of Korea and U.S. governments in support of a final agreement this year. This decision strengthens and extends our long-standing security partnership while enhancing regional stability across the greater Asia Pacific theatre.”

Lockheed’s statement follows a formal announcement by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Executive Committee in Seoul earlier today.

If the acquisition proceeds as planned, deliveries will start in 2018.

A source familiar with South Korean defence acquisitions says Seoul will now issue a formal letter of request to the US for the aircraft and other elements of the programme, such as offset arrangements associated with the deal.

Media reports from South Korea indicate that the country hopes to conclude negotiations for the fighters by the third quarter of 2014.

Seoul’s decision follows a November 2013 report carried by South Korea’s official news agency quoting the nation’s joint chiefs of staff as saying that Seoul would buy 40 F-35As, with deliveries to start in 2018.

That report mentioned that Seoul would also obtain an option for an additional 20 F-35As, but today’s announcements from South Korea and Lockheed make no mention of this.

After Australia and Japan, South Korea will be the third Asia Pacific nation to order the type. Australia, a partner in the F-35 programme, could obtain up to 100 F-35As. Japan is obtaining 48 aircraft under the US Foreign Military Sales mechanism, through which Seoul will also acquire its aircraft.

Among other regional powers, Singapore has expressed strong interest in the programme, apparently leaning toward the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B variant.

The F-X III requirement, originally for 60 aircraft, was hotly contested between the Lockheed aircraft, as well as the Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle and Eurofighter Typhoon. The F-15SE appeared to have secured the win last summer, but Seoul abruptly decided to change the terms of the requirement to favour a stealthy aircraft.
 
March 2014 GAO report: http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/661842.pdf

Highlights
What GAO Found
Delays in developmental flight testing of the F-35's critical software may hinder delivery of the warfighting capabilities the military services expect. F-35 developmental flight testing comprises two key areas: mission systems and flight sciences. Mission systems testing verifies that the software-intensive systems that provide critical warfighting capabilities function properly and meet requirements, while flight sciences testing verifies the aircraft's basic flying capabilities. Challenges in development and testing of mission systems software continued through 2013, due largely to delays in software delivery, limited capability in the software when delivered, and the need to fix problems and retest multiple software versions. The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) predicts delivery of warfighting capabilities could be delayed by as much as 13 months. Delays of this magnitude will likely limit the warfighting capabilities that are delivered to support the military services' initial operational capabilities—the first of which is scheduled for July 2015—and at this time it is not clear what those specific capabilities will be because testing is still ongoing. In addition, delays could increase the already significant concurrency between testing and aircraft procurement and result in additional cost growth. Without a clear understanding of the specific capabilities that will initially be delivered, Congress and the military services may not be able to make fully informed resource allocation decisions. Flight sciences testing has seen better progress, as the F-35 program has been able to accomplish nearly all of its planned test flights and test points. Testing of the aircraft's operational capabilities in a realistic threat environment is scheduled to begin in 2015. The program has continued to make progress in addressing some key technical risks.

To execute the program as planned, the Department of Defense (DOD) will have to increase funds steeply over the next 5 years and sustain an average of $12.6 billion per year through 2037; for several years, funding requirements will peak at around $15 billion. Annual funding of this magnitude clearly poses long-term affordability risks given the current fiscal environment. The program has been directed to reduce unit costs to meet established affordability targets before full-rate production begins in 2019, but meeting those targets will be challenging as significant cost reductions are needed. Additionally, the most recent cost estimate for operating and supporting the F-35 fleet is more than $1 trillion, which DOD officials have deemed unaffordable. This estimate reflects assumptions about key cost drivers the program can control, like aircraft reliability, and those it cannot control, including fuel costs, labor costs, and inflation rates. Reliability is lower than expected for two variants, and DOT&E reports that the F-35 program has limited additional opportunities to improve reliability.
Aircraft manufacturing continued to improve in 2013, and management of the supply chain is evolving. As the number of aircraft in production has increased, critical learning has taken place and manufacturing efficiency has improved. For example, the prime contractor has seen reductions in overall labor hours needed to manufacture the aircraft, as expected. In 2013, the contractor delivered 35 aircraft to the government, 5 more than it delivered in 2012 and 26 more than it delivered in 2011. The prime contractor has put in place a supplier management system to oversee key supplier performance.

Why GAO Did This Study
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, is DOD's most costly and ambitious acquisition program. The program seeks to develop and field three aircraft variants for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and eight international partners. The F-35 is integral to U.S. and international plans to replace existing fighter aircraft and support future combat operations. Total U.S. planned investment in the F-35 program is approaching $400 billion to develop and acquire 2,457 aircraft through 2037, plus hundreds of billions of dollars in long-term spending to operate and maintain the aircraft.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 mandated that GAO review the F-35 acquisition program annually for 6 years. In this, GAO's fifth annual report on the F-35, GAO assesses the program's (1) ongoing development and testing, (2) long-term affordability, and (3) manufacturing progress.
GAO reviewed and analyzed manufacturing data through December 2013, program test plans, and internal DOD analyses, and spoke with DOD, program, and contractor officials.

What GAO Recommends
GAO recommends that DOD assess and identify the specific capabilities that realistically can be delivered to the military services to support their respective initial operational capabilities, and share its findings with the Congress and military services prior to July 2015. DOD concurred with this recommendation.
[...]
Recommendation for Executive Action
Recommendation: Due to the uncertainty surrounding the delivery of F-35 software capabilities, the Secretary of Defense should conduct an assessment of the specific capabilities that realistically can be delivered and those that will not likely be delivered to each of the services by their established initial operational capability dates. The results of this assessment should be shared with Congress and the military services as soon as possible but no later than July 2015.
From the pdf:
Code:
Table 1: Changes in Reported F-35 Program Cost and Quantity and Deliveries 
                                        2001-2013 October 2001 (initial baseline)
                                               March 2012 (restructured baseline)
                                                      March 2013 (current estimates)
                                                              Change 2001-2012
                                                                     Change 2012-2013 
Expected quantities (number of aircraft) 
Developmental quantities                14     14     14      0%     0% 
Procurement quantities (U.S. only)      2,852  2,443  2,443  -14     0 
Total quantities                        2,866  2,457  2,457  -14     0
 
Cost estimates (then-year dollars in billions) 
Development                             $34.4  $55.2  $55.2   60     0 
Procurement                             196.6  335.7  330.6   71     -2 
Military construction                     2.0    4.8    4.6  140     -4 
Total program acquisition               233.0  395.7  390.4   70     -1 

Unit cost estimates (then-year dollars in millions) 
Program acquisition                      $81   $161   $159    99     -1 
Average procurement                       69    137    135    99     -1 

Estimated delivery and production dates 
Initial operational capability          2010-2 TBD    2015-8  NA     NA 
Full-rate production                    2012   2019   2019    7 yrs  0 yrs
 
F-35 Joint Strike Fighters: Australia's biggest Defence acquisition 'unaffordable', US congressional committee hears
The World Today

By North America correspondent Michael Vincent

Australia's biggest Defence acquisition is currently rated as "unaffordable" because of reliability issues, a US congressional committee has heard.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has been billed as the smartest fighter jet on the planet, designed to strike enemies in the air and on the ground without being detected by radar.

The first two of Australia's initial order of 14 F-35s is expected to be delivered this year at a cost of just under $US130 million each.

Federal Cabinet's national security committee is expected to endorse the purchase of an additional 58 F-35s next month.

But the head of the JSF program, US Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, visited Australia two weeks ago and declared the reliability and maintainability of the aircraft was not yet "good enough".

And overnight the US House Armed Services Committee was told the planes are currently not affordable to use at the moment.

The committee heard software problems could delay the fighter's production, and foreign buyer delays could see countries like Australia paying millions of dollars more per aircraft.

It's going to take months and months and months of constant efforts to see this improve.
Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan

"We've looked at the reliability too and it is a really big concern now - it's very risky," the General Accounting Office's Michael Sullivan said.

"Not just in terms of getting the unit costs down on the aircraft, but also in terms of the operating and support costs.

"The estimate now is deemed unaffordable.

"That's all got as much to do with reliability of the aircraft as anything else.

"This is a critical point."

California Democrat Loretta Sanchez told the hearing that all three versions of the aircraft were below their planned reliability.

"If you're paying for it but not flying it, that's bad news," she said.
Parts coming off the aircraft 'too frequently': Bogdan

Ms Sanchez says the F-35 is currently four hours between "critical failures" rather than 13 hours as expected, and at that rate the program will not even meet its reliability goal of 50 per cent.

Lieutenant General Bogdan said with more planes in the skies, program bosses now know parts are coming off the aircraft "too frequently" for maintenance.

"The problem here is you're not going to see results in the next two to three months," he said.

"It's going to take months and months and months of constant efforts to see this improve.
Video: F-35 threatens higher costs for Australia (ABC News)

"Our goal is by 2015 to see the aircraft at 60 per cent (reliability)."

Ms Sanchez said the reliability target is a "critical price to this program".

"You and I need to keep an eye out and ensure this reliability continues to go up, rather than stagnate as it is," she told the hearing.

The committee heard countries like Australia may risk paying millions of dollars more per aircraft because Italy, Turkey and Canada have or are considering delaying their purchases.

"If those three partners choose to push airplanes out or reduce their buy, it will have an effect on all the other partners and the services buying the aircraft to the tune of about 2-3 per cent increase in price," Lieutenant General Bogdan said.

He and Mr Sullivan agreed that the program's biggest risk is software development.

"The longer it takes to complete that software development, of course the longer you remain concurrent between testing and production, and that means more changes could take place before you finally get the aircraft that you want," he said.

"All that stuff creates costs and inefficiency."

The F-35 is already in production but is still being designed and refined.

The hearing was told the US Air Force has 58 operational F-35s, which have flown 12,000 hours.

Manufacturers Lockheed Martin are expected to build and deliver 35 more aircraft this year.

Topics: air-force, defence-forces, defence-and-national-security, federal-government, world-politics, united-states, australia

First posted 4 hours 2 minutes ago
ABC News Downunder
 
Air Force F-35 takes first night flight
Brian Everstine, Air Force Times 6:25 a.m. EDT March 27, 2014

Pilots in the Air Force's newest and most expensive fighter can now fly at night.

An F-35A training pilot took off Monday at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., for the Joint Strike Fighter's first night training sortie. Previously, the service's training syllabus explicitly prohibited the advanced stealthy fighter from flying at night or during adverse weather.

But this delay wasn't due to a technical problem, it was due to different air worthiness standards in the various services flying the plane.

The Joint Strike Fighter is designed as a common fighter for all services. However, an issue arose with the symbols that the system's pilot interface uses.

RELATED: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel proposes using F-35, retiring A-10

The Air Force believed it "didn't have enough data to ensure the pilot-vehicle interface for night flying was good enough," Air Force Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, the joint F-35 program office executive officer, said Wednesday in response to questions from Air Force Times. "What I mean by that, is back in (training) the displays the pilots were looking at were confusing to Air Force pilots but not confusing to Navy and Marine Corps pilots because a lot of the symbology was of Navy origin."

The confusion arose because the Air Force has a different air worthiness authority than the other services. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, handles the air worthiness standards for the service, while the Navy and Marine Corps use standards from Naval Air Systems Command.

Because the NAVAIR standards are used on the F-35's night systems, the Air Force trained 15 pilots through simulators at Eglin and the F-35 plant in Fort Worth, Texas, until it was confident its pilots were ready to begin night flying at Eglin, Bogdan said.

The F-35 program as a whole was cleared for night flying in December, with Navy and Marine Corps pilots beginning sorties in January. It took until Monday for the Air Force to be ready to fly at night.

Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh, on Wednesday, told the House Appropriations Committee that, despite continuing software issues with the jet, he is "more confident than I've ever been" the F-35A will reach its initial operating capability by the end of 2016. However, he expects that some issues remain and will need to be addressed while the jet is flying operationally.

His comments came the day after the Government Accountability Office released a report on the technological issues plaguing the jet, including continuing issues with the complex software in the jet.

"Delays in developmental flight testing of the F-35's critical software may hinder delivery of expected warfighting capabilities to the military services," the GAO wrote.

The Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation has said that delivery of operational capabilities could ultimately be delayed by as long as 13 months due to delays in software delivery, limited capability in delivered software, and the need to address problems and retest additional software versions.

"f software testing continues to be delayed, if funding falls short of expectations or if unit cost targets cannot be met, DoD may have to make decisions about whether to proceed with production as planned with less capable aircraft or to alter the production rate," the GAO wrote.

The Defense Department agrees that software problems are the largest problem facing the F-35 program as a whole but is more confident in the jet's future.

"My biggest technical concern in development is still software," Bogdan said in Wednesday testimony to the House Armed Services tactical air forces subcommittee. "Over the past two years, the program has implemented significant changes in how system software is developed, lab tested, flight tested, measured and controlled. These changes are showing positive effects, and I am moderately confident that the program will successfully release the (software upgrades) Block 2B and 3I capability as planned in 2015 and 2016, respectively."

Earlier this month, the first F-35A arrived for pilot training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The base will accept 16 jets this year and eventually house 144 jets for training. Instructor pilots are still in training at Eglin, which is expected to graduate its 100th pilot and 1,000th maintainer this week.

http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/robins-air-force-base/2014/03/27/f-35-night-flight/6948759/
 
Organic Modifications to First F-35 Completed

The first F-35 Lightning II to undergo organic depot modifications departed Hill AFB, Utah, for Nellis AFB, Nev., on March 25 where it will undergo continued operational testing. The aircraft, which arrived at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex in September 2013, underwent four structural modifications to strengthen the aircraft and extend its service life. The aircraft is considered a “prototype modification” because it helped Ogden officials “solidify its technical processes,” states a March 25 release. “This was the first time the Ogden ALC accomplished depot work on the aircraft, and new and improved ways of doing the modifications were discovered,” states the release. The improved technical guidance will help maintainers conduct subsequent F-35 repairs, said Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker, Ogden ALS command, in the release. “It was a team effort with Ogden ALS providing the touch labor and Lockheed Martin providing engineering support,” said Baker. The depot received its second strike fighter—a Dutch F-35—on Feb. 14, and its third aircraft—a US-owned jet—arrived on March 15, states the release. Ogden is slated to modify a total of six F-35s this fiscal year and eight strike fighters are expected to be inducted into the depot in Fiscal 2015, states the release.
 
Published on Mar 26, 2014

As the lead F-35 training location, the Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base has qualified pilots and maintainers from the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, the U.K. and the Netherlands. The F-35 training system maximizes simulation to prepare pilots and maintainers before they head to the flight line.

http://youtu.be/_7IIksCxxM0
 
Lockheed Awarded $700M for US, Int’l F-35 Parts
Mar 26th, 2014

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been awarded a $698,032,385 U.S. Navy contract to gather parts, materials and components for 57 F-35 fighter jets that are being acquired by the U.S. and five international partners.

The fixed-price-incentive, firm target, advanced acquisition contract covers work on low rate initial production lot 9 through May 2015 and the full funding amount is being obligated at the time of award, the Defense Department said Tuesday.

Production orders from Norway, Italy, Israel, Japan and the U.K. are covered under the contract in addition to the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.

The contract supports 26 conventional takeoff and landing variants for the Air Force, six short takeoff vertical landing variants for the Marine Corps and two variants for the Navy.

International partner purchasing details include:

  • seven CTOL planes Israel
  • one CTOL and one STOVL jet for the government of Italy
  • two CTOL planes for Japan
  • six CTOL planes for Norway
  • six STOVL planes for the U.K.

- See more at: http://www.govconwire.com/2014/03/lockheed-awarded-700m-for-us-intl-f-35-parts/#sthash.AQOOgBId.dpuf
 
Marand makes first JSF vertical tail
MARCH 31, 2014 7:41PM

AN Australian precision engineering company is expected to generate about $1 billion in revenue by making and delivering vertical tails for the world's most advanced war planes. Melbourne-based Marand and its supply chain are starting production of up to 722 sets of vertical tails for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, which will be fitted to the F-35s of US and F-35 partner nations.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Michael Ronaldson says the manufacture and delivery of these tails is expected to generate about $1 billion in revenue and employ 200 staff at Marand during the life of the program.

Senator Ronaldson said there were several other significant opportunities for Australian industry, including making composite panels for the fuselage of the F-35, weapons carriers, decoy flares and other components.

"Some 30 Australian companies have been directly involved in the F-35 program to date, and more than $355 million in production orders have been won with only 2-3 per cent of aircraft production completed to date," he said in a statement on Monday, after visiting Marand's Moorabbin premises to mark the manufacture of the first vertical tail.

Australia is buying JSF aircraft.

The first are on the production line and are due to be delivered in the second half of 2014.

The federal government says it expects Australia's commitment to buy any more aircraft will be reciprocated by a commitment from lead JSF maker Lockheed Martin to increase these large opportunities for Australian industry.
 
Carbon fibre, Titanium...I would be cautious about making simple price calculations such as that though. It is often more complex in real life.
 
http://breakingdefense.com/2014/03/gaos-f-35-sar-estimate-plunges-11-5-billion-eelv-costs-soar-28-1-billion/
 
Defence Minister Applauds JSF Component Contract
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued April 2, 2014)

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston has congratulated Adelaide-based Levett Engineering on the contract award announced by Pratt and Whitney for the manufacture of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) precision engine components.

Senator Johnston said the contract was another good example of how Australia’s engagement with the JSF Program had afforded Australian industry the ability to develop new capabilities and access new markets.

“With the global fleet of around 3,000 F-35s expected to be manufactured, this contract represents an important step for Levett Engineering. If Levett continues to meet required quality standards it will have the opportunity to secure up to US$200 million in revenue though the JSF production phase,” Senator Johnston said.

“As the only regional Asia-Pacific JSF partner nation, we anticipate that Australian industry will be afforded a range of opportunities in both production and support.”

The F-35 is a genuine 5th generation fighter and will ensure Australia maintains a leading edge air combat capability.

“With the F-35 Program now maturing and production ramping up, the F-35 is expected to represent the bulk of fighter aircraft among the F-35 nations by the mid-2020s,” Senator Johnston said.

The components manufactured by Levett Engineering will be used in the F-135 Pratt and Whitney engine that powers the F-35 JSF.

Levett Engineering is one of 30 Australian companies that have secured work in the global JSF Program.

(ends)

Pratt & Whitney, Levett Engineering Grow Industrial Participation In Australia for the F135 Engine and F-35 Lightning II
(Source: Pratt & Whitney; issued April 1, 2014)

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. --- Pratt & Whitney has awarded a contract to Levett Engineering to manufacture components that will be installed into F135 engines. The F135 engine is the propulsion system for the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Levett Engineering, a precision component manufacturer located in Elizabeth, South Australia, was previously awarded contract work to manufacture second and third-stage turbine vane tubes and covers for the F135 engine. This latest award for bearing housings, covers, and related mechanical system components has a potential value of approximately $200 million over the life of the F-35 program.

"This award reaffirms Pratt & Whitney's commitment to F135 engine industrial participation in Australia," said Howie Chandler, vice president, Military Engines, Business Development at Pratt & Whitney. "Levett competed globally and was selected as the best value supplier of these engine components, and continues to be a valuable part of our global supply chain for the F135 engine."

"We are delighted to have earned the trust of Pratt & Whitney to manufacture and deliver these key components for the F135 engine," said Paul Levett, managing director, Levett Engineering. "As a small-medium enterprise, we are focused on delivering high-quality products at competitive prices. Our contribution to the F135 engine helps ensure jobs and technology-know how remain an essential part of our local industry, and a key support to the needs of the Australian Defence Force."

The F-35 will replace Australia's aging fourth-generation aircraft with an affordable, sustainable, and highly capable fifth-generation aircraft. The F-35 program includes partners from nine countries – Australia, Italy, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States – as well as three foreign military sales customers – Israel, Japan, and South Korea.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, auxiliary and ground power units, and small turbojet propulsion products. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

-ends-
 
Rockwell Collins to Manufacture F-35 Optical Assemblies In Australia
(Source: Rockwell Collins; issued April 2, 2014)

MELBOURNE, Australia --– Rockwell Collins has entered into a long-term agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation to expand manufacturing of the optical assemblies for the Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) on the Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft.

Rockwell Collins is qualifying its facility in Melbourne, Australia, to produce these assemblies. This is in addition to manufacturing that is already occurring at the company’s facility in Carlsbad, Calif.

“With the support and investment of the Commonwealth of Australia, we’re proud to be on the path to be manufacturing 40 percent of this vital assembly in Australia,” said Nick Gibbs, managing director of Australia, for Rockwell Collins. “Our employees are very excited to be part of the F-35 supply chain with our new state-of-the-art precision optics manufacturing capability.”

The establishment of this capability is a significant achievement for Rockwell Collins in Australia and Australian industry. The contracted activity represents a challenging manufacturing task in support of the F-35 program and positions the company's Melbourne facility for future electro-optical production and sustainment programs.

The DAS is a multifunction infrared system that provides passive, spherical battlespace awareness for F-35 pilots by simultaneously detecting and tracking aircraft and missiles in every direction, as well as providing visual imagery for day/night navigation and targeting purposes. DAS imagery projected onto the pilot's helmet-mounted display provides the capability to look at targets and terrain through the floor and wings of the aircraft. The DAS works in conjunction with the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and other onboard systems to give pilots an unprecedented degree of situational awareness.


Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, simulation and training, and information management is delivered by a global workforce, and a service and support network that crosses more than 150 countries.

-ends-
 
Senior Airman Jessa Fleming, a low observable technician, masks areas of an F-35 Lightning II in need of metal repair work. Fleming is responsible for maintaining the stealth characteristics of the Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
 

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Last weekend I attended the Columbus MS airshow with my kids. An F-35 from Eglin was on static display. I talked with one of the maintainers and he stated this was the first time they had travelled to an airshow. This seemed like news to me.

MODS: Hopefully this is "newsworthy". The other thread was locked and I am not expressing any opinions.
 

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Don't mean to drag this off topic but I didn't realize the services were doing airshow stuff again. Is there any list of planned F-35 appearances (static or flying)? What's the likelihood one would be up in New England?
 
Colonial-Marine said:
Don't mean to drag this off topic but I didn't realize the services were doing airshow stuff again. Is there any list of planned F-35 appearances (static or flying)? What's the likelihood one would be up in New England?


Can't say for New England...but 'Old' England gets a chance in a couple of months. ;)


Exclusive: U.S. set to approve international debut of F-35 fighter: sources 25 Mar 2014 Andrea Shalal Reuters"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department is poised to approve the first trans-Atlantic flight of Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jet in July, when the new warplane is expected to take part in two international air shows near London, according to multiple sources familiar with the issue.U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is "very close" to a decision that would allow two or three F-35s to fly at two British shows, three sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said Tuesday. The shows are the Royal International Air Tattoo, or RIAT, an annual military air show outside London, and the Farnborough air show, held every other year.......Britain, which contributed $2 billion to the development of the new radar-evading fighter jet and plans to buy 138 F-35s in coming years, asked for the jet's participation to help showcase the increasing maturity of the new radar-evading plane. Britain was also the first international partner on the program.Details of the F-35's international debut are being worked out, including how much it will cost to fly the planes to London and who will pay for it, but no issues have emerged to prevent the appearances, the sources said.The costs will likely be shared by Britain, the Pentagon's F-35 program office, the U.S. Marine Corps and industry.The Pentagon's F-35 program office said it was evaluating the logistical, security and safety aspects of Britain's request for the jet's participation in both air shows and expected to make a recommendation to senior Pentagon leaders shortly.......BRITISH, U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIALS TO MEETBritish Defense Secretary Philip Hammond is due to meet with Hagel during a visit to the United States this week, but they are not planning an announcement about the F-35's UK debut, said one of the sources.Current plans call for at least one of the participating F-35s to be one of the three F-35 B-model jets already built for Britain, with a UK pilot at the controls.Participating in the international air shows will allow the Pentagon's F-35 program to carry out additional training and learn how the plane's logistics, maintenance, aerial refueling, and security systems work overseas, the sources said."This will be an opportunity to learn real-world lessons and allow additional time to resolve any problems before the first airplanes are delivered overseas," said one of the sources...."
SOURCE: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns- ... 9183.story
 
Australia Likely To Order More F-35s

By Bradley Perrett
Aviation Week & Space Technology

Australia is likely to commit to buying 58 more Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings this month, setting aside the alternative of consolidating its combat aircraft squadrons on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The decision will increase the country's total commitment to 72 F-35s and expand the Royal Australian Air Force's fast-jet fleet, counting a separate order for 12 EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft as additional to, not part of, the fighter force renewal.

The defense department has recommended the F-35 order, probably worth around $8 billion, and the proposal has the endorsement of a leading think-tank. The government shows every sign of accepting the recommendation, says a source closely connected to the authorities. Accordingly, Lockheed Martin has probably escaped the danger of losing one of its largest F-35 customers, one that has already backed away from an original requirement for about 100 of the stealthy fighters. Even the risk that Australia could trim its commitment a little further now looks low, although that option was suggested by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think-tank.

The Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) originally simple and logistically attractive plan to buy about 100 F-35s to replace a similar number of F-111s and F/A-18A/B Hornets was thwarted by delays to the F-35 program, unexpectedly early retirement of F-111 strike bombers in 2010 and a decision last year to buy Growlers. With 24 Super Hornets having replaced the F-111s and no longer considered stopgaps, the issue now is how to replace the 71 surviving Hornets, which will run out of airframe life around 2020.

The official answer has always been the F-35, but the introduction of Super Hornets into service has presented a clear alternative: Australia has had the choice of buying more of the Boeing fighters and waiting for F-35 to look dependable, or giving up on the stealth fighter and going for a homogenous Super Hornet fleet.

Canberra has already ordered two F-35s and committed itself to another 12, though the latter are not under contract. “In the near future” the government will consider a defense department recommendation that it authorize an order for another 58, making for a total of 72, say the institute's analysts Andrew Davies and Harry White. According to the source, the cabinet will decide the issue around mid-month, though delays in government decision-making are always possible.

“On balance, the decision that appears to meet government priorities for capability, industry participation and alliance management with the U.S. seems to be a further purchase of the F-35,” write Davies and White. They point particularly to what they see as increasing stability in the F-35 program, giving confidence that Lockheed Martin can deliver aircraft in time to replace the Hornets—though only just in time. The department has scheduled the F-35 to become initially operational with the RAAF in 2020; the analysts think the target can be achieved, but more big delays in the F-35's development and deliveries would leave the country with a debilitated fighter force for some period.

The analysis does not consider the great boost to the air force's capabilities that will come when 12 Growlers become operational in 2018. The Growlers could be regarded as part of the combat-aircraft renewal effort, bolstering the case for trimming the F-35 order, but the air force has argued that they are support aircraft and therefore separate. In effect, it hopes the Growlers will increase its fleet.

If the government does buy 58 F-35s, then the RAAF will have a fast-jet force of 72 Lightnings, 24 Super Hornets and 12 Growlers, not counting BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter trainers. The total of 108 is about 10% higher than the 1980s levels that previous policy has consistently sought to maintain. Unlike other Western countries, Australia has not felt more secure since the end of the Cold War, and in general has not cut its forces. It has added important capabilities such as airborne early warning, in-flight refueling and over-the-horizon radar. Fast population growth and 23 years of unbroken economic expansion have helped, although defense spending has lately been a historically small fraction of GDP.

While recommending more F-35s, the think-tank says that replacing the Hornets with more Super Hornets, and perhaps backing out of the F-35 program completely, would produce an adequate force. “Super Hornets and the other enabling elements of air combat capability (air-to-air refuelers, airborne early warning and . . . over-the-horizon radar) would be likely to provide Australia with a sufficiently robust air combat capability for the next couple of decades,” it says. Further, the economy of consolidating on Super Hornets and Growlers might justify enlarging the force by a few aircraft.

“But in the strike-fighter role, the F-35 is a far more capable aircraft than the Super Hornet and would give greater capability against a more capable adversary, including the ability to penetrate sophisticated air defenses,” says the think-tank. The F-35 would also be more resistant to obsolescence. Moreover, backing out of the order would be harmful to Australia's alliance with the U.S. and would take away business opportunities for Australian companies participating in the program.

Among the Australian suppliers to the F-35 program, engineering company Marand is building tail fins. The company delivered its first ship set on March 31. BAE Systems Australia, also involved in making the tail, said on April 1 it had commissioned a machine tool for making long spars and longerons. Composite-parts maker Quickstep has delivered more than 200 high-grade carbon-fiber components and is ramping up production with its out-of-autoclave process.

The think-tank's analysis assumes a unit cost for the F-35 of $90 million in 2019, lower than the Joint Strike Fighter program office's forecast of $97 million because the program's estimates have been trending down. Another 50% can be assumed for other acquisition costs, such as support equipment, and running costs over two decades of twice the acquisition cost, the think tank says. That implies that Australia will spend almost $10 billion to buy 72 aircraft, including the two already on order, and the April decision for 58 will be worth a little more than $8 billion. Operating the 72 aircraft until around 2040 should cost about $20 billion and then more after that.

The air force has probably only set aside, not given up, its ultimate aim for about 100 F-35s. By 2030, the Super Hornets will be 20 years old, an age that could justify retirement and replacement by F-35s. Twelve of the Super Hornets are wired for EA-18G configuration, so they could be kept and mixed into the Growler force to share airframe wear and tear and extend the life of the electronic attack capability; equipment could be moved between airframes during overhauls, as well. RAAF officers have suggested that the small Growler fleet could rely on U.S. Navy support, minimizing the expense of operating it alongside the main fleet of F-35s.
 
F-35 Fleet Surpasses 15,000 Flying Hours
(Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; issued April 15, 2014)

FORT WORTH, Texas --- The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fleet recently surpassed 15,000 flight hours, marking a major milestone for the program.

"Flying 15,000 hours itself demonstrates that the program is maturing, but what I think is even more impressive is the fact that operational F-35s accounted for more than half of those flight hours," said J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin's vice president for F-35 Test & Verification. "While the fleet continues to train, we are actively flight testing the software and mission systems that will enable the Marine Corps to declare Initial Operational Capability (IOC) next year as planned."

As of April 7, operational F-35s had flown 8,050 hours while System Development and Demonstration aircraft had accumulated 7,123 flight hours. In 2014, F-35A test aircraft have flown 328 hours; F-35B test aircraft have accumulated 191 hours; and F-35C test aircraft have flown 91 hours. In comparison, operational F-35As have flown 963 hours, while their F-35B and F-35C counterparts have accumulated 1,012 and 98 hours respectively for the year.

"Following successful AIM-120 AMRAAM Weapons Delivery Accuracy (WDA) tests in February and March, we're looking forward to executing additional WDAs in the 2nd quarter," said McFarlan. "In another clear sign of program maturation, reliability metrics are trending upward as the operations tempo picks up – recently 60 F-35 sorties were flown in one day."

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to declare IOC in 2015, while the U.S. Air Force and Navy intend to declare IOC in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

The F-35 Lightning II, a 5th generation fighter, combines advanced low observable stealth technology 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 approximately 115,000 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 2013 were $45.4 billion.

-ends-
 
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140416/DEFREG01/304160025/F-35-Fly-Farnborough-Air-Show
 
http://defensetech.org/2014/04/16/pentagon-develops-f-35s-4th-generation-software/#more-22726
 
jjnodice said:
Last weekend I attended the Columbus MS airshow with my kids. An F-35 from Eglin was on static display. I talked with one of the maintainers and he stated this was the first time they had travelled to an airshow. This seemed like news to me.
MODS: Hopefully this is "newsworthy". The other thread was locked and I am not expressing any opinions.
Lightning back over the UK... B) :)
F-35 At RIAT, Farnborough
The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence announced 16 April 2014 that the F-35 Lightning II will make its international debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on 11-13 July and will also fly at the Farnborough International Air Show on 14-20 July. The decision to fly the F-35 outside of the United States for the first time followed discussions between Minister of Defence Philip Hammond and US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. The UK has three F-35B aircraft which are currently based in the US for training Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots. The UK’s first operational Lightning II unit, 617 Squadron, is scheduled to transition to RAF Marham in Norfolk from the US in 2018.
Source: CodeOneMagazine.com - F-35 At RIAT, Farnborough, posted 16 April 2014
 
Two articles documenting the wisdom of the decision to go sole source on the engine:

http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:e683cc34-c688-40dc-96b6-ea037a0115c8

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_04_07_2014_p0-677559.xml
 
Federal Government to announce purchase of 72 stealth fighter jets for RAAF
APRIL 23, 2014 12:01AM

THE Abbott Government will purchase 72 advanced American-built stealth fighter jets to spearhead the nation’s defence for the next half century.

The $12.4 billion through-life outlay, to be announced in Canberra today by the Prime Minsiter, is the biggest defence purchase in Australian history and includes every aspect of the system from hangars to missiles.
The so-called “fifth generation” F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) planes will be deployed in three operational squadrons and a training squadron based at RAAF Williamtown near Newcastle in NSW and RAAF Tindal near Katherine in the Northern Territory.

About $1.6 billion will be spent on new facilities at the air force bases.

The Lockheed Martin-built JSF is the most expensive and controversial aircraft ever constructed and the US military is due to purchase more than 2500 of the jets. The project is running years behind schedule and each jet is likely to cost more than $100 million “fly-away”.

More than a dozen other countries, including the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea and Israel, will take the total number of F-35s in service to more than 3000 worldwide. The government has already ordered 14 planes and another 58 will be added, taking the total to 72 with the option of another 24 further down the track. They will enter service from 2018 and will serve alongside 24 Super Hornet fighters already in service with the RAAF.

The jets will replace the RAAF’s fleet of ageing F/A-18 Classic Hornet fighters that will retire by 2022.

Tony Abbott said the F-35 was the most advanced fighter in production anywhere in the world and would make a vital contribution to Australia’s national security. "Together with the Super Hornet and Growler electronic warfare aircraft, the F-35 aircraft will ensure Australia maintains a regional air combat edge. The F-35 will provide a major boost to the ADF’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities,” he said.

“The acquisition of F-35 aircraft will bring significant economic benefits to Australia, including regional areas and local defence industry.”

Defence Minister David Johnston said that because of the Howard Government’s decision to join during the development phase, Australian defence industry has been awarded over $355 million worth of JSF work.
“It stands to win well in excess of $1.5 billion in JSF-related production and support work over the life of the program creating long-term advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs,” Senator Johnston said.

:)
 
Six F-35 Lightning IIs are squaring off against potential adversaries' air defense systems to test the fighter's real-world sensing and penetrating capabilities at Edwards AFB, Calif., reported Military.com. "The surface threat is a tough problem. … If the missile is big enough it can shoot you from hundreds of miles away," said Thomas Lawhead, F-35 integration office operational chief. Testers are specifically probing the effectiveness of F-35's electro-optical targeting system and distributed aperture situational awareness suite against Chinese, Iranian, and Russian threat systems, according to the April 17 press report. Pitting the F-35's sensors and systems against various surface-to-air systems allows testers to develop a database of threat profiles "so that when the aircraft sees something on radar … it can categorize what it is," added Lawhead
 
Dragon029 said:
Hopefully we get to hear how it goes (and hopefully it succeeds).

Unfortunately, not a hope in heck we hear anything about these tests good or bad. This is stealth's raison d'etre detect and kill before being detected and killed.
 
bobbymike said:
Dragon029 said:
Hopefully we get to hear how it goes (and hopefully it succeeds).

Unfortunately, not a hope in heck we hear anything about these tests good or bad. This is stealth's raison d'etre detect and kill before being detected and killed.

Yep. Won't hear a thing about the results, but I would point out that these are not the first tests of F-35 systems against threat systems...that was happening before there even was an X-35, of course. The RCS and systems of the aircraft are known and have been gamed out in sim and "real world" (Northern Edge being first public release of info about this that I can recall....the sensors testing on the CATbird...including jamming an AN/APG-77 with an APG-81) against enemy air defenses extensively already. These tests will raise the bar, but really only seek to validate and refine those constructions in the real world and help form the basis of future tactical employment. It will "work", but how it is employed to make it work will be partly derived from these tests. That kind of thing will never see the light of day. We also have mountains of relevant F-22, B-2 etc data to reference, so we kinda know it works...but you have to keep up to date, refine, adjust for enemy advancements (lots of sigint and spookwork data in the EW database library of the F-35 will be newer "acquisitions", for example).

Still, very cool and I too would LOVE to be apprised of the results. LM, if you're listening, just PM me the good stuff. I promise I'm not a Chinese agent.
 
The official statement re the RAAF F-35s:

Prime Minister and Minister for Defence – Joint Media Release – F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to transform Australia’s air combat capability
23 April 2014

The Government has approved the acquisition of an additional 58 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

The fifth generation F-35 is the most advanced fighter in production anywhere in the world and will make a vital contribution to our national security.

Together with the Super Hornet and Growler electronic warfare aircraft, the F-35 aircraft will ensure Australia maintains a regional air combat edge. The F-35 will also provide a major boost to the ADF’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The first F-35 aircraft will arrive in Australia in 2018 and enter service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2020.

Australia has been working with the United States as a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter programme since the Coalition joined in 2002. Acquiring F-35 aircraft will reinforce the ADF’s ability to operate seamlessly with US forces and Australia’s capacity to continue supporting our shared strategic interests under the US alliance.

The acquisition of F-35 aircraft will bring significant economic benefits to Australia, including in regional areas and for the local defence industry with more jobs and production for many locally-based skilled and technical manufacturers.

The total capital cost of $12.4 billion for this acquisition includes the cost of associated facilities, weapons and training.

Around $1.6 billion in new facilities and infrastructure will be constructed, including at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

As a result of the Howard Government’s decision to join during the development phase, Australian defence industry has been awarded over $355 million in work and stands to win well in excess of $1.5 billion in JSF-related production and support work over the life of the programme – creating long-term advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs.

The F-35 will replace the F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet aircraft. For over three decades, the Classic Hornet has been the backbone of Australia’s air combat capability. These aircraft have delivered exceptional service to Australia’s security but will be withdrawn from service by 2022.

The new 58 F-35 aircraft, in addition to the 14 already approved in 2009, will provide the RAAF with a total of 72 aircraft to form three operational squadrons and one training squadron.

The Government will also consider the option of acquiring an additional squadron of F-35 aircraft to replace the Super Hornets in the future.

The Government remains committed to building a strong, capable and sustainable Australian Defence Force.
 
Paint system wins award for Wright-Patt F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program

By Barrie Barber
Staff Writer

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program office at Wright-Patterson has won an Office of the Secretary of Defense environmental award, the Pentagon reported Monday.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center F-35 Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Support Team was one of nine environmental award winners throughout the Defense Department.

The AFLCMC office oversaw the development of a new paint applying system that reduced the number of coatings needed on the stealth jet, increased the amount of time paint can last, reduced hazardous emissions and improved fuel efficiency, among other outcomes, the Defense Department said.

The F-35 Joint Program Office estimated the new procedure could save $435 million in production costs and nearly $1.1 billion in operations and maintenance expenses over the life of the jet fighter.

Source
 
http://www.janes.com/article/36919/finland-should-opt-for-f-35-over-gripen-if-the-price-is-right-minister-says

Finland should reject overtures to procure the Saab Gripen E fighter aircraft, if the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) can be acquired at a comparable cost, the country's defence minister said on 22 April.

As reported in the Helsinki Times , Carl Haglund said Finland should not put Nordic defence co-operation ahead of performance when choosing between the Swedish-built Gripen E and the US-built F-35, providing there is little difference in cost between the two types.

"Although I advocate co-operation with Sweden, we should not acquire Swedish [Gripen E] fighters if we could acquire American F-35 stealth fighters for roughly the same price. Performance must take precedence in the investment," he is quoted as saying.

The proposal to strengthen Finland's defence ties with its Nordic neighbour Sweden through a Gripen E buy was made by the speaker of parliament, Eero Heinäluoma, and the country was named by Saab officials in March as a potential future customer.

While Haglund's comments would appear to indicate Finland favours the F-35 as a potential replacement for the air force's current 55 Boeing F/A-18C and seven F/A-18D Hornet fighters, his use of the word 'if' would suggest the Gripen E might be best placed to secure any such requirement.

Aircraft costs are notoriously difficult to nail down, with different manufacturers using different criteria to show their products off in the best possible light. Taking the procurement, operating, and sustainment costs, and then factoring in training, support, and offset packages causes the whole picture to become very murky indeed, with precise and verifiable figures all but impossible to calculate.

Even so, the generally held understanding is that that Gripen E and F-35 are pretty much at polar ends of the spectrum when it comes to the costs of today's latest-generation fighter aircraft, with the Swedish-built offering said to come in at about half the price of its US rival. While Lockheed Martin does say it can get the F-35's long-term cost down to levels more akin to those of its rivals, Haglund's "if" would appear, at this stage at least, to limit the F-35's prospects in any Finnish procurement programme.

However, despite the Gripen's cost advantages, Lockheed Martin will point to the F-35's success in securing the Norwegian fighter replacement requirement. In similar circumstances - up against the Gripen with a view to increased Nordic defence co-operation - the F-35 was selected in that competition on account of the type's perceived 'fifth-generation' capabilities, particularly its low observable (stealth) qualities, coupled with lucrative workshare deals for Norway's domestic industries.

While no programme of record to replace the Finnish Air Force's Hornet fighters currently exists, Haglund said that a budget of at least EUR5 billion (USD6.9 billion) would need to be set aside for such a procurement. He added that, even with this special funding, the number of new aircraft procured would be less than the current Hornet inventory.

It is likely that any future Finnish fighter procurement competition would also include offerings from Boeing with its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault with the Rafale, and Eurofighter with the Typhoon. According to Haglund, the country's efforts are currently directed at enhancing the army, to be followed by the navy, and then the air force.

Regardless of whether you like the jet or not, the F-35 has to be doing something right to have the interest of so many countries.
 
And, just as a reminder, this is a "News ONLY" thread ! So, please no comments
or discussions, or this thread would be endangered to share the fate of other
F-35 threads.
 
http://www.special-ops.org/us-approves-first-transatlantic-flight-f-35-fighter-jet/
 
F-35C CF-14

;D
 

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