F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

[BON PLAN]

================================

F35 has to open regularly its weapons bay so as to fresh itself....

 

[BON PLAN]

You are right,this thing with localized production will cost us some 100 million usd a peice and the tender is gonna worth some 10-12 billion usd,we can have more than 120 of these made in india

The FOC of the plane is not prononced. No maintenance feed back so far. So the support costs are unknown.
The dry price is one thing, the entire life cost another !
Do you imagine the stealth coat is life free handling ?

 

[StealthFlanker]

It's now well known that some long lead time items are not includes.
I don't know the detail of these long time items, but it can be undercarriage (forging parts : long to produce), engine? radar ? ... others?

No, only the engine used to be not included.

F35 has to open regularly its weapons bay so as to fresh itself....

No, F-35 doesn't open the bay to refresh itself.
Certain components belonging to the avionics, that have been installed in the weapons bays recently for ease of maintenance, have not been qualified at the required temperatures. Until these components are re-qualified, their temperature limitations by definition become the temperature limitations of the weapons bay as a whole, and anything above that becomes "excessive." So it open the weapon bay at low altitude to keep these components from "overheat" . But only until they are qualified

 

[BON PLAN]

No, only the engine used to be not included.

No, F-35 doesn't open the bay to refresh itself.
Certain components belonging to the avionics, that have been installed in the weapons bays recently for ease of maintenance, have not been qualified at the required temperatures. Until these components are re-qualified, their temperature limitations by definition become the temperature limitations of the weapons bay as a whole, and anything above that becomes "excessive." So it open the weapon bay at low altitude to keep these components from "overheat" . But only until they are qualified

Some source said that now engine is included. true? false?
Some others, including GAO say that long lead time items not including...

So nothing is really clear. I think that LM try with US top brass help to hide the real cost of F35, expecting that the technical issues will be shortly removed so as to say "OK, it costs a lot, but see it now, it works !"

 

[BON PLAN]

The following modifications will be the highest priorities for accomplishment throughout the fleet using funds from this OSIP. Listed modifications are requirements for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and priority modifications for long-term retrofit needs following IOC.

TI_Number Mod CR Title/Description

• TI-0000-0015 CR-018836 Stress Failure of Hydraulic Tube Support Bracket
• TI-0000-0031 CR-018835 Nose Wheel Steering (NWS) Motor Qualification Failure
• TI-0000-0045 CR-019003 CTOL/STOVL MLG SDD & LRIP Part Number Rolls
• TI-0000-0049 CR-019065 Ordnance Quick Latch System (OQLS) FS 424 Latch Corrosion Control
• TI-0000-0055 CR-019070 IPP Bay Vent Fan Electrical Bond
• TI-0000-0056 CR-019004 IPP Controller Part Number Roll
• TI-0000-0058 MVR-0X0080 Back-Up Radio Tray Clearance
• TI-0000-0063 CR-018838 Bootstrap Accumulator Redesign
• TI-0000-0064 CR-022872 Counter Measures Door Control Valve Life Limitation on AF:6
• TI-0000-0098 CR-022695 CTOL Nose Landing Gear
• TI-0000-0117 CR-019107 CTOL Trestle Inst Cotter Pin Alignment and Joint Clamp up (PR-45840)
• TI-0000-0119 MVR-0X0620 Production Ejection Seat (LRIP I & II) MWARS Replacement w Neg G Strap & New Cartridge Set Part Numbers
• TI-0000-0122 MVR-0X0019 28V Battery and Charger Changes
• TI-0000-0124 CR-019533 Controller, Motor Pump Qual Failure
• TI-0000-0129 CR-021322 MLG Control Valve Part Number Roll
• TI-0000-0130 CR-020289 Emergency Control Valve Qual Failure
• TI-0000-0132 CR-020907 Valve, Mechanical Sequence - T Qual Failure
• TI-0000-0133 CR-022196 Filter Module, Pressure Qual Failure
• TI-0000-0135 CR-021459 Engine Driven Pump Life Limit
• TI-0000-0137 CR-020793 Pump, Motor GND Maint Qual Failure
• TI-0000-0138 CR-018564 Wingtip Light Improvement For FAA Compliance
• TI-0000-0145 CR-019110 2AF:0006-0007 & AF:0017-0020.Record Control Panel(RCP)HARNESS RT ERR
• TI-0000-0147 CR-019258 PTMS PAO Three-Port Valve Part Number Roll
• TI-0000-0158 MVR-0X0026/CR-022877 WBDD Flexible Cable Re-design
• TI-0000-0161 CR-019418 EDU #1 & #2 Signal Deletion
• TI-0000-0165 CR-019135 R3 Float Valve with Mechanical Thread Locking
• TI-0000-0191 MVR-0X0178 270V BCCU
• TI-0000-0192 Gen II -10 Helmet Mounted Display Variance
• TI-0000-0193 CR-019291 EW Gain State Control Logic Error
• TI-0000-0208 CR-020003 CTOL Arresting Gear Push Rods - Incorrect Heat Treat for Al 2024-T4
• TI-0000-0231 CR-019340 PTMS EHA Cooling Orifices - CTOL & STOVL
• TI-0000-0236 CR-019412 FPS Fire and Bleed Leak Controller (FBLC) Redesign
• TI-0000-0245 MVR-0X0067 Update to Antenna Switch Unit for Cosite Function & Qual Test Fails
• TI-0000-0260 CR-016633 Canopy Actuation System
• TI-0000-0263 CR-017121 Power Panel 1, 2, 3
• TI-0000-0264 CR-019516 PTMS Controller Humidity, Temp, and Durability Qual Test Failures
• TI-0000-0281 CR-020226 Hoist Point Cover FIP Proposal
• TI-0000-0282 CR-025346 Update to Audio Control Electronics (ACE) Unit for Qual Test Fails
• TI-0000-0286 MVR-0X0136 Backup Radio (BuR) Indirect Lightning Qualification Test Failure
• TI-0000-0316 MVR-0X0158 CTOL & CV FS 496 Bulkhead Trunnion
• TI-0000-0329 CR-021982 Refueling Bay and Nozzle Clash LRIP 1-3 Modification
• TI-0000-0331 MVR-0X0025 WBDDS RGAs Limited Life - Change Request Approval
• TI-0000-0336 CR-024982 Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) - DU
• TI-0000-0339 HMDS LRIP Subsystem Variance - UUT Outages
• TI-0000-0343 CR-024982 Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) Major Variances - EU
• TI-0000-0344 MVR-0X0117 HMDS LRIP Subsystem Variance - Fixed Camera
• TI-0000-0358 CR-019771 Production Ejection Seat (-0021)
• TI-0000-0361 CR-023382 Vertical Tail 575 Fitting
• TI-0000-0363 CR-020636 TRS Component Changes from Qual Test Failures
• TI-0000-0367 MVR-0X0120/MVR-0X0121 Engine Trailer Adapter Kit - FS556 Interface, J27006/J27007
• TI-0000-0386 CR-025191 Fuel System - Signal Amplifier
• TI-0000-0387 CR-016910 Fuel System - Dive Rate Performance
• TI-0000-0395 MVR-0X0591 LEF Inbd Blade Seal Mousehole and CTOL LEF Lwr Inbd Blade Seal Fails
• TI-0000-0398 CR-019930 Arresting Hook Aft Door Spring Damper Part Number Roll
• TI-0000-0405 CR-023769 EDU Random Vibration Fails Elect Dist Unit Full Qual
• TI-0000-0412 CR-020680 Wing Lighting Controller - Salt Fog Failure
• TI-0000-0423 CR-016270 Engine Interchangeability Bleed Air System Ducting Design
• TI-0000-0424 CR-020066 Firewall Shutoff Valve Part Number Roll
• TI-0000-0425 MVR-0X0142 CCDD LRIP1-016 No Intercom Transmit During Air Refueling
• TI-0000-0432 MVR-0X0145 Short Life - CTOL Wing Forward Root Rib
• TI-0000-0441 MVR-0X0148 CTOL FS 594 Centre Arch Low Life
• TI-0000-0448 MVR-0X0053 Add -0007 ASSCA/-0006 ATQA To Aircraft TVE
• TI-0000-0456 MVR-0X0156 Bulkhead - FS 450
• TI-0000-0457 MVR-0X0157 Bulkhead - FS 472
• TI-0000-0458 MVR-0X0159 Bulkhead - FS 518 Upper
• TI-0000-0460 MVR-0X0161 Bulkhead - FS 556
• TI-0000-0463 CR-017913 Support - Fairing, Mid, LH/RH
• TI-0000-0467 MVR-0X0168 Fuel Floor - FS496-556, LH
• TI-0000-0468 MVR-0X0169 Fuel Floor - FS496-556, RH
• TI-0000-0469 CR-022737 Life Suppt System (OBOGS, Steel BOS, SIC, SPA, PIC & Composite BOS)
• TI-0000-0477 CR-020097 CTOL EHAS Panels - Incorrect Fastener Grips and De-torque Issue
• TI-0000-0480 MVR-0X0007 ICC Qual Issues
• TI-0000-0495 CR-024922 OBIGGS & Pressure/Vent Changes for Lightning Protection
• TI-0000-0538 CR-020593 EHA Flaperon Support Equipment Locations
• TI-0000-0539 MVR-0X0205 Cracking of Bifurcation Seam Treatment
• TI-0000-0574 CR-023121 Electronics Units Mods for EMI, Lightning and Qual Compliance.
• TI-0000-0575 CR-020289 ULF & 3BSD Emergency Control Valve
• TI-0000-0576 CR-020289 Refuel Probe/Tailhook Emergency Control Valve
• TI-0000-0578 CR-020289 Aux Inlet Door Emergency Control Valve
• TI-0000-0583 MVR-0X0051 CTOL STOVL Rudder EHA Design Change
• TI-0000-0602 CR-020398 Brake Control Unit (BCU) Wet Runway Update & Op of a Wet Runway
• TI-0000-0607 CR-021434 Limited Life CTOL STA 3/9 Aft Rib
• TI-0000-0608 Fwd Upper Engine Mount (CTOL)
• TI-0000-0626 SMSFRIU SDD/LRIP Arm Disable Input
• TI-0000-0631 CR-021180 Countermeasures Doors & NNMSB/WSESRB Concerns
• TI-0000-0654 CR-020726 IDMS Connector Ref Des Swap
• TI-0000-0655 MVR-0X0014 EO DAS Center Fuselage Vibration Testing
• TI-0000-0671 MVR-0X0208 IFF Transponder Operation During Emergency Conditions
• TI-0000-0673 CR-020743 Ordnance Quick Latch System (OQLS) - Clip Lock
• TI-0000-0683 CR-017534 CR-017534 Rev- HT Bearing Issues
• TI-0000-0707 MVR-0X0062 Air Data System Design Changes For -0004 Configuration
• TI-0000-0709 MVR-0X0084 HT EHA Block Change
• TI-0000-0723 MVR-0X0243 EOTS PBS Startup Timeline
• TI-0000-0737 CR-024922 IPP Purge Issue Due to Low Fuel Shutdown
• TI-0000-0738 Modified Fuel Dump Valve (T28a)
• TI-0000-0771 MVR-0X0250 Install Battery into CNI Rack 3A and 3B
• TI-0000-0772 PTMS Turbomachine/ACCM Cable Interface Changes
• TI-0000-0802 CR-022695 CTOL Main Landing Gear
• TI-0000-0808 CR-021259 Weapons Bay Door Uplock Sealing
• TI-0000-0833 CR-021053 Short Shank Condition on Engine Inspection Panels
• TI-0000-0854 CR-021107 DMCH MPEG VHDL Firmware Version
• TI-0000-0866 CR-021262/ CR-022737 Production Ejection Seat (-0023)
• TI-0000-0884 CR-024000 AESG - Material & Workmanship
• TI-0000-0895 CR-021557 Arm Disable Current Leakage Path Correction
• TI-0000-0898 MVR-0X0363 Electronic Warfare Band 3/4 Antenna and Edge Performance Issues
• TI-0000-0910 CR-021395 PCD EU Cooling Rework
• TI-0000-0913 CR-025087 LEFAS PDU Resolver and Rotor Shaft Seal Life
• TI-0000-0945 CTOL Audio Control Electronics (ACE) In-Flight Refueling
• TI-0000-0992 CR-013553 Outboard Vertical Tail Seal Redesign
• TI-0000-0998 CR-021916 CTOL and CV Refuel System Mod
• TI-0000-1000 CR-022481 Inboard Weapon Bay Door Flipper Door Design Change
• TI-0000-1011 MVR-0X0367 L-Band Pre-Selector (LBPS) Propagation Delay Calibration for Mode 5
• TI-0000-1048 CR-024982 Panoramic Cockpit Display-Electronic Unit (PCD-EU)
• TI-0000-1056 CR-016660 RADAR 1A & 1B Racks -0002 Cut-in
• TI-0000-1060 CR-022121 Final Finishes
• TI-0000-1078 CR-025006 Nacelle Insulation
• TI-0000-1082 MVR-0X0373 Power Panel 1 & 2 Random Vibration Failures - Second Failure
• TI-0000-1092 CR-022666 Landing Taxi Light Redesign
• TI-0000-1099 CR-022841 ATQA Mounting Bolt Interface
• TI-0000-1102 CR-022481 BH-1 Weapons Bay Doors - AMRAAM Cradle Found Fatigue Cracks in Cradle Lugs @ 11,353 Hours
• TI-0000-1113 CR-024000 AESG Power Connector Rating (Generator)
• TI-0000-1161 CR-022656 STOVL Aft MLG Door Cracking
• TI-0000-1192 CR-026590 Short Life - CTOL Thrust Mount Shear Web / 2WSH43777-0001 and 2WSH43778-0001 Do Not Meet Service Life Requirement
• TI-0000-1198 CR-026143 HT Heating
• TI-0000-1255 CR-023093 Fibre Channel Switch Design Issues-0004
• TI-0000-1324 CR-022656 Structural Cracking of Aft MLG Door Drive Link U-Joint
• TI-0000-1362 Production Incorporation of Improved ANR into VSI HMD
• TI-0000-1372 EW Block-2 DRFM Module Firmware Issue
• TI-0000-1396 CR-023112 HTCA with End Gland Material Issue
• TI-0000-1408 CCDD LRIP4/LRIP 5-016 EW: AEL, Aft Sector
• TI-0000-1472 CR-023094 Gun Port Door Threads in Bearing Issue
• TI-0000-1483 MVR-0X0373 Power Panel 3 Random Vibration Failures - Second Failure
• TI-0000-1485 CR-023282 F1 Feed Tank Gasket Spill Out/Removing F1 Feed Tank Cover Gasket And Reworking To Production Fay Seal Configuration
• TI-0000-1494 CR-023133 PTMS Turbomachine Configuration to Correct Qualification Failures
• TI-0000-1515 CR-024000 ESG Service Life (Generator) -0003
• TI-0000-1518 CR-024193 Incorrect PAO Orifice In P5 Gp A Dummy LRU; Incorrect PAO Cooling Orifices In Center Fuselage Cold Liquid Loop
• TI-0000-1549 CR-023540 Firmware Update for AMS Cartridge Reset SPAR
• TI-0000-1551 CR-023874 28V Battery Full Qualification
• TI-0000-1552 CR-023874 28V BCCU Lightning Compliance - 28V Battery Charger
• TI-0000-1589 CR-023300 Hydraulic System Single Point Failure
• TI-0000-1650 CR-022737 MWARS for Production Seat (LRIP 1-6)
• TI-0000-1652 CR-023599 Rudder Slider Hinge Wear
• TI-0000-1653 CR-026539 Ground Maint Valve Deletion to Prevent PAO in Cockpit (DR 1-4815699)
• TI-0000-1706 CR-024068 Insert updated DMCH LRIP6 w Night Vision Camera Image Qual Improve
• TI-0000-1761 HT EHA Solenoid Valve (SOV) Qual Test Failure
• TI-0000-1783 CR-025111 Canopy Boot Cracking
• TI-0000-1786 CR-023729 AJ-1 Test Incident - Cracked stiffener on the FS402 frame (TIN-075)
• TI-0000-2450 CR-023901 Bleed Air Sensor Fitting Galling
• TI-0000-2467 CR-025204 CTOL FS 503 Frame Limited Life
• TI-0000-2468 CR-025204 CTOL IPP Shear Web Limited Life Discovery
• TI-0000-2506 MVR-0X0551 Gun Port Blast Mislocation
• TI-0000-2528 MVR-0X0607 270V Battery Gunfire Vibration Failure
• TI-0000-2551 CR-024922 L-Band Power Amplifier (LBPA) Update for LINK-16
• TI-0000-2580 MVR-0X0639 AESG -0004 Qual Failure
• TI-0000-2624 CR-025684 Lower Horizontal Tail Bullnose Panels Experiencing Coating Damage (panels 4134/4133)
• TI-0000-2633 CR-024265 Flaperon Blade Seal Buckling
• TI-0000-2659 CR-026105 Cockpit Green Indicator Bright/Dim Anomaly
• TI-0000-2672 Radome Shroud Gapping / Trimming
• TI-0000-2674 CR-024794 Cracking of Bifurcation Seam Treatment
• TI-0000-2690 LAU-147 and BRU Vent Value Under Full Pressure
• TI-0000-2699 CR-023093 Fibre Channel Switch Design Issues -0005
• TI-0000-2714 CR-022737 -0025 Ejection Seat Qual Issues
• TI-0000-2725 CR-024162 Vehicle Mgmt Computer (VMC) Elect Connect Issue on CTOL and STOVL AC
• TI-0000-2784 CR-025512 CNI 3A & 3B Integrated Backplane Assembly (IBA) EMI Upgrades
• TI-0000-2786 CR-023093 Upgrade ICP Fibre Channel Switch Module to Address MS Stab Issues
• TI-0000-2800 MVR-0X0590 CNI TFR Module Humidity Qualification Test Failure
• TI-0000-2818 CR-025637 EOTS LoS Pointing Angle
• TI-0000-2833 MVR-0X0587 Gun System Muzzle and Purge Door Time Out
• TI-0000-2865 TR2 - SP-SPIO Issue
• TI-0000-2891 CR-022105 OBIGGS Wash Pressure Buildup in Refuel Manifold
• TI-0000-2909 CR-025167 IPP Bay High Flow Air Duct Separation
• TI-0000-2921 MVR-0X0586 Gun Vent Door Unpainted Brackets
• TI-0000-3041 CR-025499 Nacelle Ventilation Intake (NVI) Failure Investigation
• TI-0000-3054 CR-025562 Ammunition Handling System (AHS) Carrier Belt Rollers
• TI-0000-3099 MVR-0X0624 Gun Fwd Mount Muzzle Sleeve Nut Plate
• TI-0000-3100 MVR-0X0627 Horizontal Tail Bearing Specification Change
• TI-0000-3194 MVR-0X0638 Landing Aid Down Converter (LADC) Qualification Test Failure
• TI-0000-3280 MVR-0X0649 F-35A FS 383 Frame Short Life
• TI-0000-3281 CR-026430 F-35A FS 402 Frame Short Life
• TI-0000-3284 MVR-0X0654 F-35A Center Fuselage F2 Floor Durability Life
• TI-0000-3285 MVR-0X0655 Egress System Safe Escape Intro for -6 Seat
• TI-0000-3386 MVR-0X0661 MLG Door Crank Arm Corrosion F35-A/B
• TI-0000-3597 F-35 Fuel Tank Overpressure
• TI-7777-0003 Block 1.0-v01.702 Formal Systems Build (Rev B - MVI R10.1.3 software. Rev C captures ALIS 1.0.2E.1 software mod) (Rev D addresses AV software mod .702 for CTOL and new MVI R11.x.2.2)
• TI-7777-0004 MLG Strut Redesign
• TI-7777-0007 OBOGS Plenum HEPA Filter Provisioning
• TI-7777-0010 CR-016660 Radar Harness Redesign
• TI-7777-0024 Gun Gas Purge & Gun Port Door Actuators
• TI-7777-0031 Brake Control Electronic Unit Update
• TI-7777-0042 MVR-0X0074 Return Fuel Cooler HX Coating
• TI-7777-0057 Nacelle Fan - Full Qualified Configuration
• TI-7777-0077 CR-016660 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Rack Strut
• TI-7777-0081 270V BCCU Change
• TI-7777-0083 CTOL/STOVL EHAS/LEFAS -0011 EU & Rack Config Update
• TI-7777-0084 MVR-0X0003 ACCM Filter Pin
• TI-7777-0085 Replacement of Door Actuator Lock Assemblies (STOVL/CTOL Door Locks)
• TI-7777-0087 CTOL/STOVL/CV Flaperon EHA Pump Design Change
• TI-7777-0089 CR-017095 Avionics Bay Environmental Seal Change
• TI-7777-0093 CR-017505 Flow Sensor EMI/Vibration
• TI-7777-0095 MVR-0X0008 Manual Drive Unit
• TI-7777-0097 IEU Lightning Compliance
• TI-7777-0101 NLG Down Lock Actuator
• TI-7777-1001 LRIP 1&2 Block 1 Upgrade
• TI-7777-1002 Replacement of Block 1B Hardware and Issuance of Block 1B Software
• TI-9999-0191 CR-023040/CR-024623 Interim Solution - 270V BCCU
• TI-9999-1650 MWARS for Production Seat - LRIP 5 Only

design change.... cracks.... test failure.... short life.... anomaly.... Error....

 

[StealthFlanker]

Some source said that now engine is included. true? false?
Some others, including GAO say that long lead time items not including...
So nothing is really clear.

Things are clear. You are looking different LRIP lot.

 

[BON PLAN]

Things are clear. You are looking different LRIP lot.

So clear that some (LM for exemple) say F35 is under 100$million and Italian fiancial court say more than 200....

 

[BON PLAN]

http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchiv...May 26 2015/Build-Lightning,-Then-Change.aspx

Build. Then change.

 

[StealthFlanker]

So clear that some (LM for exemple) say F35 is under 100$million and Italian fiancial court say more than 200....

Give me the link for > 200 millions USD a piece.

The following modifications will be the highest priorities for accomplishment throughout the fleet using funds from this OSIP. Listed modifications are requirements for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and priority modifications for long-term retrofit needs following IOC.

TI_Number Mod CR Title/Description
design change.... cracks.... test failure.... short life.... anomaly.... Error....

Nice try, but next time post the whole report

Those are very minor bugs so the total cost to fix them is around 164 millions USD for the whole fleet with hundreds of aircraft.
The list of modifications are from the start of the program instead of recently found, many modifications are for Block 1, LRIP 1-6 while current F-35 have reach 3I and 3F, LRIP 10

 

[Rahul Singh]

How true is this?

 

[Immanuel]

The F-35 was certainly not used in the air raid, the F-35I is still busy earning it's IOC, no way Israeli's break SOP to target a old Soviet era SAM site which a couple of F-16 Sufas can level in no time.

http://www.iaf.org.il/4463-49442-en/IAF.aspx

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ori...ecurity-idf-air-force-aerial-superiority.html

Moreso, I highly doubt that the F-35 was caught off guard by such an old SAM, considering by IAF's own admission when they get in the air, virtually the entire middle east is in their cockpit view.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

The news is creditable to some large extend, though their are some little space for errors ..

 

[Spectribution]

Bullshit news! F 35 got damaged by bird strike and is now fine and running.

https://theaviationist.com/2017/10/...lved-in-a-bird-strike-incident-gets-grounded/

Anyways as much as I like the F 35 design, it needs the new engine by P&W and full software upgrade to be combat effective post 2020s.

 

[BON PLAN]

Pentagon kicks off intensive F-35 cost review

https://www.defensenews.com/air/201..._term=Editorial - Military - Early Bird Brief

 

[BON PLAN]

Give me the link for > 200 millions USD a piece.


Nice try, but next time post the whole report

Those are very minor bugs so the total cost to fix them is around 164 millions USD for the whole fleet with hundreds of aircraft.
The list of modifications are from the start of the program instead of recently found, many modifications are for Block 1, LRIP 1-6 while current F-35 have reach 3I and 3F, LRIP 10

Sorry,
It's not 200$million. Just 127 to 137$million.
Far far away from the 80 promised by LM ( 80 : maybe without engine, without ejection seat, without canon, without paint...)

"National Armaments Director Gen. Claudio Debertolis acknowledged, in an interview published Oct. 16 by the web magazine Analisi Difesa, that the first F-35As for the Italian air force will cost $127.3 million each, while the first F-35Bs for the navy will each cost $137.1 million (both refer to Unit Recurring Fly-away costs).

These figures are about 50% higher than those that Debertolis had stated in testimony before Parliament’s defense committee on Feb. 7, when he had assured committee members that the first F-35As would cost $80 million each.

In the interview, Debertolis added that, as production volumes increased, unit prices should drop to $90.6 million for the F-35A and to $118.8 million for the F-35B STOVL version, and even further after the 50th production aircraft. "

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/ar...hurdles-in-netherlands,-italy-and-canada.html

 

[pmaitra]

Bullshit news! F 35 got damaged by bird strike and is now fine and running.

https://theaviationist.com/2017/10/...lved-in-a-bird-strike-incident-gets-grounded/

Anyways as much as I like the F 35 design, it needs the new engine by P&W and full software upgrade to be combat effective post 2020s.

This is speculation. No one knows what really happened. Another article from the National Interest is also speculating.

 

[pmaitra]

Did a Russian Missile Really Hit an Israeli F-35?

Michael Peck
October 26, 2017

Did a Russian anti-aircraft missile hit one of Israel’s new F-35 stealth fighters?

Pro-Russian media are claiming that an Israeli F-35I was hit and damaged by a Russian-made S-200 surface-to-air missile during an Israeli air strike in Syria earlier this month. Israel says one of its F-35s was damaged—after colliding with a bird.

The story begins on October 16, when Israel announced that its aircraft hadstruck a Syrian SAM battery near Damascus that had fired two hours earlier on Israeli reconnaissance planes flying over Lebanon. The attack damaged the missile battery, and no Israeli aircraft were hit, according to Israel. Coincidentally or not, the incident happened the same day that Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, arrived in Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

However, Southfront.org, a website that covers the Russian military and its intervention in the Syrian Civil War, suggested a different story. “According to the available information, the Syrian Defense Forces used a S-200 missile against the Israeli warplane,” Southfront claimed.

Southfront could not resist pointing out that a much-vaunted F-35 stealth fighter had been hit by a missile that dates back to the 1960s. “This Soviet-made missile is the most advanced long range anti-aircraft system operated by the Syrian military. Even in this case, it’s old-fashioned in terms of modern warfare.”

However, the evidence cited by Southfront seems rather tenuous. Hours after the Israeli military announced the strike on the Syrian missile battery, Israeli media reported that an Israeli F-35 had been damaged by a bird strike two weeks before (Google translation here). The plane reportedly landed safely, but the Israeli Air Force did admit that it wasn’t sure whether the plane will fly again. Israel has taken delivery of only seven F-35Is so far, with a total of fifty on order.

“The incident allegedly took place ‘two weeks ago’ but was publicly reported only on October 16,” Southfront noted. “However, Israeli sources were not able to show a photo of the F-35 warplane after the ‘bird collision.’”

Southfront didn’t explain why the Israeli Air Force would feel a need to release a photo of a damaged stealth aircraft. As U.S. defense website The Drive points out, the F-35 is just entering Israeli service now, and wouldn’t likely be flying missions over Syria just yet unless there was some kind of emergency (and Israel has plenty of F-15s and F-16s to handle those right now). Nor is it optimized for the kind of photographic reconnaissance missions that Israel flies over Lebanon.

As The Drive summed up rather neatly, “Although we cannot rule the possibility out entirely, as Freud would say—sometimes a bird strike is just a bird strike.”

In any event, what’s most interesting about this story isn’t whether an F-35 was hit by a Russian missile. Like the existence of UFOs, the story may or not be true, but we need more than circumstantial evidence to give it any credence.

No, the interesting part is that the F-35 has become such a symbol of U.S. technological prowess—or incompetence—that any rumor that an F-35 has been damaged or shot down in combat will draw attention. Russia and its boosters will pounce on any suggestion that an F-35 has been hit, and no doubt the pro- F-35 crowd will counter those suggestions accordingly.

Already there are reports—again, just reports—that Israeli F-35s have flown combat missions. Given that the U.S. and Israeli air forces are among the most active in the world, sooner or later the F-35 will really, truly see combat. But the rumors are out there now.

This is just the beginning.

Michael Peck is a contributing writer for the National Interest. He can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Image: An F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter takes off on a training sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in this March 6, 2012 file photo. Canada is poised to buy 65 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets, sources familiar with the process told Reuters, marking a major renewal of Canada's fighter fleet and helping contain costs of the expensive defense program. REUTERS/U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon

 

[Rahul Singh]

However, the evidence cited by Southfront seems rather tenuous. Hours after the Israeli military announced the strike on the Syrian missile battery, Israeli media reported that an Israeli F-35 had been damaged by a bird strike two weeks before (Google translation here). The plane reportedly landed safely, but the Israeli Air Force did admit that it wasn’t sure whether the plane will fly again. Israel has taken delivery of only seven F-35Is so far, with a total of fifty on order.

One thing that is hard to overlook is the fact that such a sophisticated and coslty fighter could become useless just because a bird collided with it! Alarmed!

 

[BON PLAN]

One thing that is hard to overlook is the fact that such a sophisticated and coslty fighter could become useless just because a bird collided with it! Alarmed!

A bird in a air intake of a single engine plane can result in a loss.
A dual engine plane is more resilient in this area.

 

[asianobserve]

F-35B HOT LOADS WITH AIM-120's