F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

[Bhurki]

First image of ARRW configuration on f-35?
View attachment 107222

Yes, F35 is now officially overpowered.
2x Arrw + 2x Aargm-Er

 

[BON PLAN]

First image of ARRW configuration on f-35?
View attachment 107222

What are these 2 kind of missiles?

 

[StealthFlanker]

What are these 2 kind of missiles?

White one with yellow tip is AARGM-ER: range 300 km, top speed: Mach 4
The big blue-gray one is ARRW: range 925 km, top speed: Mach 10

 

[Maharaj samudragupt]

White one with yellow tip is AARGM-ER: range 300 km, top speed: Mach 4
The big blue-gray one is ARRW: range 925 km, top speed: Mach 10

If india gets the second missile,the ARRW then we can cover whole pakistani airspace which is barely 400 kms wide, heck we can cover afagnistan also .
So much for their strategic depth lol

 

[BON PLAN]

F-35 Not as Survivable as Previously Hoped, HASC Chair Says

F-35 Not as Survivable as Previously Hoped, HASC Chair Says | Air & Space Forces Magazine

House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Adam Smith said that as missile technology has advanced, the F-35 is not as survivable in as many environments.

www.airforcemag.com

In such highly contested threat environments, Smith said platforms such as the F-35 are simply too big to go completely undetected. Instead, he advocated for more investment in “smaller, more survivable platforms, in many cases unmanned platforms.”

 

[Fonck83]

Just LM fastfacts :
I offer for your analysis a small calculation I made based on LM's monthly fastfacts regarding the f-35.

I start from the fastfacts of 02/11/2018 which gave 330 f-35 manufactured and 165000 flight hours achieved.

After 1 year there are 145 f-35 delivered in more and 83000 hours of activity in more, I count 70 f-35 full time in more (that is to say for 400 F-35 flying 83000 hours on 12 months)

That is 17.3 hours of flight per month per F-35

At the end of another year, there are 120 F-35s delivered and 105,000 hours more, I count 60 more full-time F-35s (i.e. for 535 F-35s flying 105,000 hours over 12 months)

That is 16.3 hours of flight per month per f-35 (COVID period)

At the end of 9 months there are 95 f-35 delivered in more and 85000 hours in more, I count 50 f-35 full time in more (that is to say for 645 f-35 flying 85000 hours on 9 months)

That is 14.6 flight hours per month per F-35

Is it just me or is the situation really getting out of hand?

With the arrival of the block3f we should have had more flight hours thanks to a better availability and we are witnessing exactly the opposite.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

 

[lcafanboy]

 

[Fonck83]

Speaking of RNLAF

The latest Department of Defense report is out

Project Verwerving F-35: Jaarlijkse voortgangsrapportage 2021

Deze jaarlijkse rapportage gaat in op de voortgang van het groot project Verwerving F-35 in Nederland. De internationale ontwikkelingen in het F-35 project worden meegenomen voor zover deze direct invloed hebben voor de Nederlandse situatie. Deze rapportage beslaat de periode 1 juli 2020 tot en...

www.rijksoverheid.nl

While the projected operating budget for 46 aircraft in 2020 was 397 million per year for the period 2020-2025

It has increased to 464 million per year for the period 2021-2026 and is now estimated at 470 million euros per year (p22) => 50000 euros/flight hours (with 200 flight hours).


On the other hand, the procurement budget has been reduced
For 46 aircraft, it was estimated at 5921 million euros
The current estimates speak of 5631 million euros + 84.9 million of reserve for risk taking

 

[asianobserve]

Keeping the F-35 Ahead of the Bad Guys | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Operational testing is still underway, but the F-35 is already beginning its first major upgrade.

www.airforcemag.com

 

[BON PLAN]

View attachment 112804

Keeping the F-35 Ahead of the Bad Guys | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Operational testing is still underway, but the F-35 is already beginning its first major upgrade.

www.airforcemag.com

Block 3 F was intended to be the last (F for... final).
Now a block 4. With how many deficiencies remaining?

 

[asianobserve]

Block 3 F was intended to be the last (F for... final).
Now a block 4. With how many deficiencies remaining?

It's in the article. Both are software stages. Block 3F software is the development phase software before the final intended Block 4 software which will unable F-35 to field all its intended weapons and capabilities.

Under Block 3F, an F-35 can already be used for combat but it still does not have its full capabilities. To get to Block 4, the F-35 must make one final hardware updates (mainly to pilot displays and processors) under a process called Technology Refresh 3 (TR3) to prepare the F-35 for the final Block 4.

But Block 4 introduction is delayed until 2027. Obviously, this is a very complex aircraft.

 

[asianobserve]

Pratt Testing XA101 Adaptive Engine, Has Two Offerings for F-35 Propulsion

Pratt & Whitney succeeded in achieving the AETP’s goals, which were to obtain 10 percent improvement in thrust and 25 percent improvements in both fuel efficiency and thermal management, Bromberg said. “We know we can do that,” he said.

The AETP achieves better thrust while also improving fuel efficiency by adding a third air stream, which can also be used for cooling. Air Force and JPO leaders have said they will need more thrust and cooling in the F-35 in order to get full capability out of the Block 4 version of the fighter, set to start coming off the production line in 2023.

Neither Pratt & Whitney’s XA101 nor GE’s XA100 will fit in the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing version, however. Bromberg said the reason has to do with the three-bearing swivel nozzle employed by the F-35B being “incompatible” with the third-stream architecture. It might be possible to use the AETP engine in the Navy’s F-35C carrier version, Bromberg said, if the arresting hook system could be moved to accommodate it. He said Pratt & Whitney has had discussions with Lockheed Martin to that effect.

Pratt Testing XA101 Adaptive Engine, Has Two Offerings for F-35 Propulsion | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Pratt & Whitney expects to conclude testing two examples of its new XA101 Adaptive Engine Transition Program powerplant by the end of 2022.

www.airforcemag.com

 

[asianobserve]

Air Force Activates First F-35 Squadron in Europe Ahead of Fighters’ Arrival

In a move more than five years in the making, the U.S. Air Force activated its first squadron of Europe-based F-35As at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., on Oct. 1, as the service prepares to deliver the first fighters in the coming months.

The 495th will consist of 27 F-35s and around 60 personnel, according to a 48th Fighter Wing release announcing the squadron’s activation. The Air Force plans to eventually base a total of 48 F-35s at Lakenheath in two squadrons.

Air Force Activates First F-35 Squadron in Europe Ahead of Fighters' Arrival | Air & Space Forces Magazine

The US Air Force activated its first squadron of F-35 fighters based in Europe, the 495th Fighter Squadron, at RAF Lakenheath on October 1.

www.airforcemag.com

 

[asianobserve]

F-35 Production Set at 156 Per Year Until Completion

Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office have agreed that F-35 production will peak at 156 planes per year in 2023 and remain at that level “for the foreseeable future.”

Lockheed Martin will deliver “133-139 aircraft this year [calendar 2021], 151-153 aircraft in 2022, and anticipates delivering 156 aircraft beginning in 2023 and for the foreseeable future,” it announced. The company did not say how many of each variant will be delivered. Defense officials have said the pre-pandemic goal was to achieve deliveries of 155 airplanes a year by the end of 2022.

The announcement also does not indicate that the F-35 has achieved “full-rate production” status, usually declared by the Pentagon after a program has satisfied the operational test community that it meets requirements. The Pentagon delayed the declaration of full rate to allow the F-35 to be integrated with the Joint Simulation Environment, a wargaming platform that measures the jet’s performance in highly classified conditions. While establishing a peak production rate for the F-35 is a de facto “full-rate” declaration, absent the official status, the program can’t officially enter into multiyear procurement contracts, which can reduce costs by buying materials in economic quantities. The F-35 partners already benefit from a “block buy” approach similar to a multiyear deal. However, by setting a peak production rate, a multiyear deal may be moot.

F-35 Production Set at 156 Per Year Until Completion | Air & Space Forces Magazine

F-35 production will peak at 156 a year in 2023 and remain at that level "for the foreseeable future," Lockheed Martin said.

www.airforcemag.com

 

[asianobserve]

First F-35B landings and take offs from IJN Izumo, conducted by USMC.

 

[SajeevJino]

Just LM fastfacts :
I offer for your analysis a small calculation I made based on LM's monthly fastfacts regarding the f-35.

I start from the fastfacts of 02/11/2018 which gave 330 f-35 manufactured and 165000 flight hours achieved.

After 1 year there are 145 f-35 delivered in more and 83000 hours of activity in more, I count 70 f-35 full time in more (that is to say for 400 F-35 flying 83000 hours on 12 months)

That is 17.3 hours of flight per month per F-35

At the end of another year, there are 120 F-35s delivered and 105,000 hours more, I count 60 more full-time F-35s (i.e. for 535 F-35s flying 105,000 hours over 12 months)

That is 16.3 hours of flight per month per f-35 (COVID period)

At the end of 9 months there are 95 f-35 delivered in more and 85000 hours in more, I count 50 f-35 full time in more (that is to say for 645 f-35 flying 85000 hours on 9 months)

That is 14.6 flight hours per month per F-35

Is it just me or is the situation really getting out of hand?

With the arrival of the block3f we should have had more flight hours thanks to a better availability and we are witnessing exactly the opposite.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

any calculation of EFT/Rafale/Gripen and F18E

 

[Fonck83]

4 dozens of f-35 out of order due to f-135 shortage :

F135 Depot Rebounds, But F-35 Engine Shortage Worsens | Aviation Week Network

Pratt & Whitney expects a multiyear recovery from a growing engine availability crisis that has grounded dozens of F-35As.

aviationweek.com

“A shortage of Pratt & Whitney F135 engines that is already keeping more than four dozen Lockheed Martin F-35s grounded will continue to worsen. The year-old crisis has driven some lawmakers to call for replacing the F135 with an advanced new engine.”

 

[Fonck83]

Is the "reforge" concept the beginning of all F-35A squadrons downsizing ?

Air Force Wants Hundreds More Advanced Jet Trainers Despite Already Buying The T-7 Red Hawk

The Advanced Tactical Trainer would likely also be expected to fly aggressor missions as part of a major overhaul of Air Force training.

www.thedrive.com

Air Force Wants Hundreds More Advanced Jet Trainers Despite Already Buying The T-7 Red Hawk
In the Thedrive article, it is stated that the "reforge" concept is to complement each of the F-35A squadrons with T7-A or T-50 to assume low-end missions.
"
The idea behind the tactical surrogate is to have a lower-cost training platform equipped with a cockpit that’s representative of an advanced frontline fighter jet, such as the F-35. It’s driven by the fact that the current T-7A program of record, covering 351 aircraft, is judged insufficient to meet all future jet training needs as envisaged under Reforge.

The Advanced Tactical Trainer would likely emerge with a very different set of capabilities compared to the T-7A's. The Air Force is eyeing external hardpoints for the carriage of training weapons, electronic warfare pods, air combat maneuvering instrumentation pods, and fuel tanks. A compact radar might be another option for the jet, and the RFI also specifically mentions that consideration is being given to installing an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor.
"
"
Holmes’ Reforge plan would radically overhaul this fairly complex process, with future fighter pilots heading straight to their future operational fighter squadron after completing the first two phases of UPT. Once at their frontline unit they would continue to fly the T-7A (or the new Advanced Tactical Trainer type) before transitioning to their assigned combat aircraft at the same location.

The hope is that the revised system will speed up the process of getting newly trained pilots into frontline cockpits, with fewer moves between different bases. Simplified training systems should also help make the fighter pilot career more attractive, at a time when the Air Force is experiencing a significant aircrew shortfall. At the same time, the training demands currently placed on frontline fighters would be reduced.
"
"What’s more, having a new Advanced Tactical Trainer available could help increase the number of actual flight hours that fledgling aviators receive. In recent months, there have been concerns that a reduction in flying hours coupled with an increasing reliance on simulators has led to a surge in mishaps. "
"While the T-7A, initially at least, is being procured as a direct replacement for the T-38 and is tailored for the LIFT portion of the syllabus, the Advanced Tactical Trainer would feature more ‘operational’ capabilities, making it a more appropriate stepping-stone to a frontline type. Potentially it would also be suitable for continuation training, too, reducing the demand on costly fifth-generation types, which are extremely expensive to fly and maintain. Having advanced trainers embedded with these units would help reduce costs and save airframe hours with everything from basic tactics training to pilot proficiency."

 

[asianobserve]

Is the "reforge" concept the beginning of all F-35A squadrons downsizing ?

Air Force Wants Hundreds More Advanced Jet Trainers Despite Already Buying The T-7 Red Hawk

The Advanced Tactical Trainer would likely also be expected to fly aggressor missions as part of a major overhaul of Air Force training.

www.thedrive.com

Air Force Wants Hundreds More Advanced Jet Trainers Despite Already Buying The T-7 Red Hawk
In the Thedrive article, it is stated that the "reforge" concept is to complement each of the F-35A squadrons with T7-A or T-50 to assume low-end missions.
"
The idea behind the tactical surrogate is to have a lower-cost training platform equipped with a cockpit that’s representative of an advanced frontline fighter jet, such as the F-35. It’s driven by the fact that the current T-7A program of record, covering 351 aircraft, is judged insufficient to meet all future jet training needs as envisaged under Reforge.

The Advanced Tactical Trainer would likely emerge with a very different set of capabilities compared to the T-7A's. The Air Force is eyeing external hardpoints for the carriage of training weapons, electronic warfare pods, air combat maneuvering instrumentation pods, and fuel tanks. A compact radar might be another option for the jet, and the RFI also specifically mentions that consideration is being given to installing an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor.
"
"
Holmes’ Reforge plan would radically overhaul this fairly complex process, with future fighter pilots heading straight to their future operational fighter squadron after completing the first two phases of UPT. Once at their frontline unit they would continue to fly the T-7A (or the new Advanced Tactical Trainer type) before transitioning to their assigned combat aircraft at the same location.

The hope is that the revised system will speed up the process of getting newly trained pilots into frontline cockpits, with fewer moves between different bases. Simplified training systems should also help make the fighter pilot career more attractive, at a time when the Air Force is experiencing a significant aircrew shortfall. At the same time, the training demands currently placed on frontline fighters would be reduced.
"
"What’s more, having a new Advanced Tactical Trainer available could help increase the number of actual flight hours that fledgling aviators receive. In recent months, there have been concerns that a reduction in flying hours coupled with an increasing reliance on simulators has led to a surge in mishaps. "
"While the T-7A, initially at least, is being procured as a direct replacement for the T-38 and is tailored for the LIFT portion of the syllabus, the Advanced Tactical Trainer would feature more ‘operational’ capabilities, making it a more appropriate stepping-stone to a frontline type. Potentially it would also be suitable for continuation training, too, reducing the demand on costly fifth-generation types, which are extremely expensive to fly and maintain. Having advanced trainers embedded with these units would help reduce costs and save airframe hours with everything from basic tactics training to pilot proficiency."

These additional T-7s will be purely for training purposes either as advanced trainers or aggressor aircrafts hence, the hardpoints for training gears and even radar.

 

[Fonck83]

These additional T-7s will be purely for training purposes either as advanced trainers or aggressor aircrafts hence, the hardpoints for training gears and even radar.

Perhaps but at this point we can say that f-35 will be use for as less as possible for training reason. And training representent how many hours in a squadron ?