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

Flyaway said:
TomcatViP said:
@Josh_TN : Isn't that for penetration? (the spin momentum fight back any offset action resulting from the initial impact)
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That’s what I assumed it to be as well.
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Actually, I think it's just residue from the previous B61s that used the high spin rate as a unique environment
signal for arming. It's the second stronglink enablement signal; the other was parachute deployment but with
that gone...
 
House and Senate authorizers approved 14 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters over DoD’s 2021 budget request: 12 F-35As and 2 F-35Bs. In addition, the Air Force is authorized to add six F-35s meant for Turkey to its own fleet.

The accord “supports the budget request and service’s Unfunded Priorities Lists by authorizing 93 F35 aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps,” explains a summary of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report released today by the Democratic Majority of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In total, the authorizers okayed $9.1 billion for the program.


The authorizers’ agreement to boost the F-35 buy echos the Senate Armed Services Committee version of the NDAA, and in effect splits the different between Senate and House appropriators; House defense appropriators wanted to add 12 F-35s; their Senate counterparts, 17. Of course, no defense appropriations bills been passed and one does not look likely. Unless appropriators add the additional F-35s to a Continuing Resolution there may not be any money to buy them,


The two sides of Capitol Hill agreed that the Air Force should be able to use the six F-35s ordered but never delivered to Turkey after Erdogan’s country was ejected from the program in July over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense system, the conference report explains. Those aircraft currently sit in storage at Edwards AFB.
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breakingdefense.com

NDAA Adds 14 F-35s, OKs $9.1B; Fully Funds B-21 - Breaking Defense

Authorizers want CAPE to assess costs and risks of the "aggressive and uncertain plan" Digital Century Series approach to acquire NGAD aircraft.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com
 
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TomcatViP said:
Also, not to be overlooked, any F-35 arrival in Switzerland will doubtless bring a significant economic impact to include an infusion of jobs and possible technological sophistication in the world of aeronautics, weaponry and aviation, not to mention stealth. The Lockheed proposal seems well aware of this possibility, stating “should the F-35 be selected as the new fighter for Switzerland, this industrial work would take place in all Swiss regions. Swiss industry has the opportunity to compete for direct production of components for use on all F-35s produced, sustainment projects focused on supporting the Swiss Air Force and enhancing Swiss autonomy, and cyber security projects directly related to the F-35.”
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Switzerland preps to buy F-35 | Fox News

There are several reasons why an F-35 might be appealing
www.foxnews.com www.foxnews.com
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Not mentioned there, but on regional (Swiss) news places: Local F-35 production would be offered for only 4 planes - and only for quite an additional cost on top of the nearly 6 billion $ limit. Other contenders offer complete final assembly of all planes - within the contract limit.
And: "Swiss industry has the opportunity to compete for direct production of components for use on all F-35s produced." ...is not really what was asked for. It was asked for 60% of contract value to come back to Swiss industry. That all gives F-35 a very hard stand to win.

Edit: Link to such information:
https://www.defensenews.com/global/...ir-offers-in-high-stakes-swiss-warplane-race/
 
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Not sure. Early on Swiss MoD specifically explicited that transfer was all about sustaining the plane and SAM system in house with the local industry. Something LM agreed.
IMOHO this was in order to restrain Europeans to ran for a Belgian package as offered to Belgium by Dassault with endless political talking around redefining Swiss defensive posture (what is a defense pack) when this is neither needed nor suitable.

See the 4 airframe as an incentive to boost local industry knowledge on modern military technology, something any 1980's fighter wouldn't be able to offer...

LM even detailed manufacturing and software apps as the two domains where they think Swiss industry was well positioned to compete.

Obviously, this unless acting MoD changed her mind.
 
It is not about tech transfer (alone), but money coming back. 60% is a set demand in the contest. There was a lengthy and hot debate in the MoD about it with this as final conclusion. 4 Airframe production is not within the given money limit. Therefore not a serious option. Or Switzerland would have to reduce the amount of planes accordingly to cover the additional cost. That would be how many? 5? As mentioned: not a serious option. It is not allowed to use additional money, otherwise a new poll would be needed. The poll was won with 50.4% only. There is for sure no second chance or to ask for more money. Only this much of money or nothing at all.
 
Dec' 2020
Annual deliveries - 123
Total delivered - 614

Year.....Annual Rate...Total Units
2011...........9.................9
2012..........29...............38
2013..........35...............73
2014..........36..............109
2015..........45..............154
2016..........46..............200
2017..........66..............266
2018..........91..............357
2019........134..............491
2020........123..............614
 
When you understand that F-35s can fly anywhere un-impaired in the M.E, a region only limited by access to technology in their weapons acquisition policies, you've to wonder if anyone has a real sense of the awe power yet in the hands of those gifted to get their buy flying.

The F-35 program is not only a weapon, it's a change of era in the military akin to the Renaissance in arts.
 
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TomcatViP said:
When you understand that F-35s can fly anywhere un-impaired in the M.E, a region only limited by access to technology in their weapons acquisition policies, you've to wonder if anyone has a real sense of the awe power yet in the hands of those gifted to get their buy flying.

The F-35 program is not only a weapon, it's a change of era in the military akin to the Renaissance in arts.
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Yeah, lets just hope it hits FRP in '21.
 
Of the total 123 supersonic, stealthy F-35 fighter aircraft manufactured, 74 were supplied by Lockheed Martin to the US military, 31 to international partner nations and 18 to Foreign Military Sales customers this year.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and related supplier delays, the company revised its annual aircraft delivery goal from initial 141 to 117-123 in May 2020.
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www.airforce-technology.com

Lockheed Martin delivers its 123rd F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Italian Air Force

Lockheed Martin has recently delivered its 123rd F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft of this year to the Italian Air Force, despite Covid-19 challenges.
www.airforce-technology.com www.airforce-technology.com
 
Racer said:
It is not about tech transfer (alone), but money coming back. 60% is a set demand in the contest. There was a lengthy and hot debate in the MoD about it with this as final conclusion. 4 Airframe production is not within the given money limit. Therefore not a serious option. Or Switzerland would have to reduce the amount of planes accordingly to cover the additional cost. That would be how many? 5? As mentioned: not a serious option. It is not allowed to use additional money, otherwise a new poll would be needed. The poll was won with 50.4% only. There is for sure no second chance or to ask for more money. Only this much of money or nothing at all.
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Something which isn't mentioned with the tech transfer aspects of the F35 is the changes regularly required to client state intellectual property policies. These can be surprisingly onerous and far reaching, especially where F35 parts manufacturing or maintenance is involved.
 
jeffb said:
Something which isn't mentioned with the tech transfer aspects of the F35 is the changes regularly required to client state intellectual property policies. These can be surprisingly onerous and far reaching, especially where F35 parts manufacturing or maintenance is involved.
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This is based on what exactly?
 
marauder2048 said:
jeffb said:
Something which isn't mentioned with the tech transfer aspects of the F35 is the changes regularly required to client state intellectual property policies. These can be surprisingly onerous and far reaching, especially where F35 parts manufacturing or maintenance is involved.
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This is based on what exactly?
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marauder2048 said:
jeffb said:
Something which isn't mentioned with the tech transfer aspects of the F35 is the changes regularly required to client state intellectual property policies. These can be surprisingly onerous and far reaching, especially where F35 parts manufacturing or maintenance is involved.
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This is based on what exactly?
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Actually nothing. I'm confusing dual use export controls with IP restrictions. My bad.
 
Bhurki said:
TomcatViP said:
When you understand that F-35s can fly anywhere un-impaired in the M.E, a region only limited by access to technology in their weapons acquisition policies, you've to wonder if anyone has a real sense of the awe power yet in the hands of those gifted to get their buy flying.

The F-35 program is not only a weapon, it's a change of era in the military akin to the Renaissance in arts.
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Yeah, lets just hope it hits FRP in '21.
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www.thedrive.com

It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold

With critical test and evaluation work still unfinished, the full-rate production decision will be left to the future Biden administration.
www.thedrive.com www.thedrive.com
 
Acatomic said:
Bhurki said:
TomcatViP said:
When you understand that F-35s can fly anywhere un-impaired in the M.E, a region only limited by access to technology in their weapons acquisition policies, you've to wonder if anyone has a real sense of the awe power yet in the hands of those gifted to get their buy flying.

The F-35 program is not only a weapon, it's a change of era in the military akin to the Renaissance in arts.
Click to expand...
Yeah, lets just hope it hits FRP in '21.
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www.thedrive.com

It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold

With critical test and evaluation work still unfinished, the full-rate production decision will be left to the future Biden administration.
www.thedrive.com www.thedrive.com
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Oh, darn.. I guess i jinxed it.
 
A change in doctrine that could bear some importance here:
In a statement issued on 29th December, the Swiss military announced the round-the-clock quick-reaction availability of two F-18s for protection of the nation’s airspace.

“From now on, the air police service will be on call 24 hours a day to guarantee the security and the sovereignty over Swiss airspace,” the statement said.
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www.swissinfo.ch

Swiss Air Force finally on call around the clock

The Swiss Air Force will be on standby 24/7 from Thursday, when two F/A-18 fighter jets will be ready to take off, fully armed, within 15 minutes.
www.swissinfo.ch www.swissinfo.ch
Also noted by the Aviationist:
theaviationist.com

Swiss Air Force F/A-18s Finally Started Providing Round-the-Clock Swiss Airspace Protection Last Week

Until Dec. 31, 2020, the Swiss Air Force F/A-18s were available for Quick Reaction Alert only on business hours. About 7 years ago, an embarrassing
theaviationist.com theaviationist.com
 
Israel MoD declares to be in favor of an immediate acquisition of 20+ F-35:
mobile.reuters.com

Israel's defence minister favours buying one more F-35 squadron for now

Israel's defence minister said on Monday that he wants the country to buy a third squadron of stealth F-35 warplanes from the United States, and that he hoped a deal could be clinched before President Donald Trump steps down on Jan. 20.
mobile.reuters.com mobile.reuters.com
 
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An expert believes this legislation benefits the USAF because it may be able to modify and use these aircraft in situations where using new, operational F-35As would be cost-prohibitive. A retired USAF pilot, who was given anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to reporters, told Janes on 4 January that these situations include exercises and maintenance training.

They also include using the aircraft to experiment with new technologies or to train new test pilots. Using test aircraft in these situations would be much cheaper than using “full-up” F-35As, the retired pilot said.

These original test aircraft are in long-term storage because they are the oldest version of the F-35 and do not resemble the current A-model versions. These test assets have older avionics and test instrumentation, for example, and thus have very limited utility in their current configuration.
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US lawmakers permit US Air Force to acquire F-35A test aircraft

The fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which became law on 1 January 2021, allows the US Air Force (USAF) to utilise, modify, and operate...
www.janes.com
 
hooray something slightly less boring!

but don't some US Navy F-35s have some color too?
f-35-c-.com__main.jpg
 
ISR_F-35I.jpeg


Maariv, a the second largest and trustful newspaper published in Israel, reported that some Israeli F-35I Adirs will participate for the very first time in an international military exercise outside Israel. The Adirs will be flown over from Nevatim air base (Israel) to Italy.

The Heyl Ha'Avir (IAF, Israeli Air Force) said that the aim of the exercise is to enhance cooperation and relations between the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and the Aeronautica Militare (AMI, Italian Air Force). It is expected that other allies will take part in the exercise too. Together they will conduct flights in an unfamiliar field that examines the ability to deploy stealth aircraft and the required systems.

The IAF stated that despite the coronavirus crisis, they see great importance in continuing international military exercises, and at this stage there is no change in the programmes to implement many maneuvers this year outside Israel.

There has been no confirmation about the exercise from the Italian side yet. If the exercise will take place, Scramble assesses that it will take place from Amendola / Luigi Rovelli air base where the AMI with 32° Stormo / 13° Gruppo is operating the F-35As. The tough security measures required for Lightning and Adir operations are already integrated in the infrastructure of that air base. It is very well possible that Decimomannu air base at the isle of Sardinia will be involved as well, as earlier the IAF participated in combined exercises with the AMI from that location. Israel is currently operating with three Adir squadrons: 116sq "The Southern Lions Squadron", "The Mighty Squadron" and 140sq "The Golden Eagle Squadron". The trio is under command of the Adir Divison.

www.scramble.nl

Adirs vs. Lightnings exercise expected in Italy

Adirs vs. Lightnings exercise expected in Italy Maariv, the second largest and trustful newspaper published in Israel, reported that some Israeli F-35I Adirs will participate for t...
www.scramble.nl www.scramble.nl
 
UAE deal on inauguration day:
the agreement was signed about an hour before Biden was sworn into office. The document gave the United Arab Emirates the chance to accept the negotiated schedule and configuration of the jets while also making the purchase request official.
[...]
The final in-country delivery date for the F-35 jets could not immediately be confirmed, but the initial proposal sent to UAE said 2027, the people said.
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mobile.reuters.com

UAE signs deal with U.S. to buy 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 drones: sources

The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 armed drones, people familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday.
mobile.reuters.com mobile.reuters.com
 
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The Lockheed Martin-made F-35′s mission capable rate — which describes the percentage of aircraft that can meet at least one of its assigned missions — currently sits at 69 percent, falling short of the military’s longstanding 80 percent goal, said Ellen Lord,
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I don't think it's too bad. That number is an above average for many NATO air forces for example.

Regarding the parts that break often, I do think that the change in materials from Aluminum to CFRP might have a play into that with storage and handling tools probably not adapted to parts being more susceptibles to impacts and more bulky (complex shapes). Think also at moisture level that might degrade material on the long term.
 
That's a bit rose-tinted view of the situation.
Those 69% include 33% of the fleet that cannot perform all assigned missions.
The Lockheed Martin-made F-35′s mission capable rate — which describes the percentage of aircraft that can meet at least one of its assigned missions — currently sits at 69 percent
[...]
When looking at fully mission capable aircraft able to perform all of the F-35′s assigned missions, “we’re currently at 36 percent fully mission capable, and we are striving to be at 50 percent for the fleet,” she added.

Lord attributed the low percentage of fully mission capable jets to ongoing issues with the F-35′s canopy and the F135 engine’s power module.
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Well, stats can be discussed at length but let's not go head-butt on this number.
 
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Grey Havoc said:
www.defensenews.com

The Defense Department still isn’t meeting its F-35 readiness goals

Today, only 36 percent of F-35s are capable of performing all of the missions it was designed to accomplish.
www.defensenews.com www.defensenews.com
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Such articles are meaningless without some context. For instance, if one took the recent GAO report on Mission Capable Rates for Selected Department of Defense Aircraft (GAO-21-101SP) one would see things such as the following chart which shows to a degree how the F-35 compares to other platforms in this context.

GAO Pic.png
Now, this is not to say that the F-35 doesn't have issues. It certainly does though at the same time it is still in the process of entering service so these should be expected. But again, how does that compare against other platforms??
 

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