Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning and F-22 'Raptor' : News & Discussion
- Thread starter Nick
- Start date
OTOH , Greece is reeling from a financial crisis & OTOH they've money to blow on purchases of both Rafales & Lightnings. Ditto for Turkey & the number of defence projects they've launched.I remember a Pakistani meme.
USA be like Friendship over with Turkey, no F35.
Greece new best friend, F35 for Greece.
And then there's us sandwiched between 2 N powers with a declining squadron strength blissfully going about our day to day life without any sense of urgency or a care in the world .
Abhi hme aur zaleel hona hai. We will hire a Turkish contractor to help us build a 30,000+ ton vessel for Navy. The intersting thing is that contractor itself hasn't built a vessel more than 15,000 tons till date.
Canada To Buy F-35 Fighter Jets From Lockheed Martin | DefenceTalk
Canada announced plans on Monday to buy 88 US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to replace its aging fleet, with deliveries to start as early as 2025. The F-35 "has proven to be a mature, capable and interoperable aircraft and that is why we are moving to the finalization phase of…
www.defencetalk.com
NATO Commander Increases Prediction to 550 F-35s in Europe by 2030 | Air & Space Forces Magazine
Gen. Tod D. Wolters, head of US European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, said getting more F-35s in Europe is crucial.
www.airforcemag.com
Hill AFB’s 388th OSS exploring agile communications options for F-35A
The 388th Fighter Wing’s Operations Support Squadron cyber Airmen are currently exploring high-speed communications options to support F-35A Lightning II Agile Combat Employment.
www.af.mil
Aboard The Marine's First F-35B-Packed 'Lightning Carrier' (Updated)
The Marines turned USS Tripoli into a 'Lightning Carrier' packed with over 20 F-35Bs. We were there.
www.thedrive.com
Is the gun firing backwards Paddy? If yes why would the Lightings need such capabilities?Hill AFB’s 388th OSS exploring agile communications options for F-35A
The 388th Fighter Wing’s Operations Support Squadron cyber Airmen are currently exploring high-speed communications options to support F-35A Lightning II Agile Combat Employment.www.af.mil
Aboard The Marine's First F-35B-Packed 'Lightning Carrier' (Updated)
The Marines turned USS Tripoli into a 'Lightning Carrier' packed with over 20 F-35Bs. We were there.
View attachment 23276
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Here's The USMC's Plan For "Lightning Carriers" Brimming With F-35Bs
The concept is a modern and much more potent iteration of the "Harrier Carrier" concept that has been used in the past.
www.thedrive.com
Any idea what was the per hour operating costs quoted for the F-35 in recent competitions in Finland & Switzerland?
@Picdelamirand-oil ; @Herciv ; @A Person
@Picdelamirand-oil ; @Herciv ; @A Person
I remember a Pakistani meme.
USA be like Friendship over with Turkey, no F35.
Greece new best friend, F35 for Greece.
That meme is a reflection of US foreign policy.
It can be applied to India and China context.
Awesome fighter and mein beautiful city in background what a perfect combo.Hill AFB’s 388th OSS exploring agile communications options for F-35A
The 388th Fighter Wing’s Operations Support Squadron cyber Airmen are currently exploring high-speed communications options to support F-35A Lightning II Agile Combat Employment.www.af.mil
Aboard The Marine's First F-35B-Packed 'Lightning Carrier' (Updated)
The Marines turned USS Tripoli into a 'Lightning Carrier' packed with over 20 F-35Bs. We were there.
View attachment 23276
View attachment 23277
Australia To Spend A Whopping $14.6B To Maintain Its US-Origin F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet Fleet?
By Ashish Dangwal- April 14, 2022
The Australian F-35 fighter jet fleet has lately been in the limelight due to a debate involving concerns connected to its running cost, capability, and viability for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Now, a new update revealed that Canberra intends to spend a whopping AUD14.6 billion ($10.87 billion) to operate its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fleet till 2053.
On 6 April, Air Vice-Marshal Leon Phillips, head of the Aerospace Systems Division, told members of the Australian parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Legislation Committee that a range of variables might push costs up beyond 2032.
The most crucial point to highlight, according to AVM Phillips, is that there is no such thing as a final operational capability once the project acquisition is delivered, especially for modern capabilities. “There is a constant evolution of capabilities to deal with [operations],” he added.
From 2015 to June 30, 2021, the Australian Department of Defense (DoD) has spent AUD623 million on maintaining the fleet of 48 aircraft. The cost of budget allocation for 2021–22 was AUD314 million, according to AVM Phillips.
The F-35 fleet in Australia has already been the subject of numerous controversies due to cost and maintenance concerns.
In February 2022, government documents revealed that Australia’s F-35A fighter will spend less time in the air than previously expected, igniting a national discussion over its capability and viability for the Royal Australian Air Force.
The estimated flight hours for 2021-22 have been reduced from 11,813 to 8,773, according to documents quoted by the Australian newspaper. The opposition said that the $16.6 billion fighter jet program was “plagued with issues” and sought an explanation from Defense Minister Peter Dutton in regards to the data.
Later, RAAF chief Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld refuted media speculations about the aircraft’s capabilities, saying the new figures were based on the RAAF’s maturing understanding of the F-35A capability requirements and the capability’s buildup.
“I can confirm the JSF program has met all of its tasking commitments such as exercises, verification and validation activities, and training requirements,” he added.
Concerns Regarding RAAF’s F-35 Program
Australia joined the F-35 program as a Level 3 industrial partner in 2002. It planned to spend roughly $16 billion on four squadrons, or about 72 planes in all.
By late 2021, the RAAF had received 44 of its 72 F-35As, with the final front-line unit No. 75 Squadron in Tindal, Northern Territory, receiving its first aircraft in December. The RAAF intends to have all of its aircraft operational by the end of 2023.
However, defense experts believe that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter supplied to the RAAF was a disaster. For example, Australia’s two F-35 fighter jets, purchased for more than $280 million in 2013, are probably too old to be updated to the current configuration.
In a similar line, the US Air Force is also concerned that its aged F-35s are now just expensive training planes. The majority of Australia’s fleet will be modernized to be more similar to that of the United States, albeit this will require even more money.
Last year, the US Air Force’s deputy chief of staff, Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, expressed grave concerns about the obsolete software, stating, “the block that is coming off the line right now is not a block that I feel good about going up against China and Russia.”
He further stated that a war scenario centered on the potential of protecting Taiwan against Chinese air attack demonstrated that “Every [F-35] that rolls off the line today is a fighter that we wouldn’t even bother putting into these scenarios.”
According to Independent Australia, the aircraft was planned to be a low-cost, light-weight, high-performance stealth fighter. The plane has a limited range, poor air-to-air combat survivability, and high running expenses, with each plane costing $100 million (AU$140 million).
The F-35’s purpose has been called into question. The fighter jet will require mid-air refueling if it has to go to Taiwan or near China to assist American jets in the event of an emergency, due to its combat range of only 1000 km.
The Sydney Morning Herald also stated the RAAF’s main challenge in battling China would be getting there on time.
Another big concern with the Australian F-35 is its inability to carry the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile. However, the country recently announced the plans to speed up the procurement of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER), which has a range of up to 900Km. These missiles will be outfitted in the Australian F-35 in near future.
By Ashish Dangwal- April 14, 2022
The Australian F-35 fighter jet fleet has lately been in the limelight due to a debate involving concerns connected to its running cost, capability, and viability for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Now, a new update revealed that Canberra intends to spend a whopping AUD14.6 billion ($10.87 billion) to operate its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fleet till 2053.
On 6 April, Air Vice-Marshal Leon Phillips, head of the Aerospace Systems Division, told members of the Australian parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Legislation Committee that a range of variables might push costs up beyond 2032.
The most crucial point to highlight, according to AVM Phillips, is that there is no such thing as a final operational capability once the project acquisition is delivered, especially for modern capabilities. “There is a constant evolution of capabilities to deal with [operations],” he added.
From 2015 to June 30, 2021, the Australian Department of Defense (DoD) has spent AUD623 million on maintaining the fleet of 48 aircraft. The cost of budget allocation for 2021–22 was AUD314 million, according to AVM Phillips.
The F-35 fleet in Australia has already been the subject of numerous controversies due to cost and maintenance concerns.
In February 2022, government documents revealed that Australia’s F-35A fighter will spend less time in the air than previously expected, igniting a national discussion over its capability and viability for the Royal Australian Air Force.
The estimated flight hours for 2021-22 have been reduced from 11,813 to 8,773, according to documents quoted by the Australian newspaper. The opposition said that the $16.6 billion fighter jet program was “plagued with issues” and sought an explanation from Defense Minister Peter Dutton in regards to the data.
Later, RAAF chief Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld refuted media speculations about the aircraft’s capabilities, saying the new figures were based on the RAAF’s maturing understanding of the F-35A capability requirements and the capability’s buildup.
“I can confirm the JSF program has met all of its tasking commitments such as exercises, verification and validation activities, and training requirements,” he added.
Concerns Regarding RAAF’s F-35 Program
Australia joined the F-35 program as a Level 3 industrial partner in 2002. It planned to spend roughly $16 billion on four squadrons, or about 72 planes in all.
By late 2021, the RAAF had received 44 of its 72 F-35As, with the final front-line unit No. 75 Squadron in Tindal, Northern Territory, receiving its first aircraft in December. The RAAF intends to have all of its aircraft operational by the end of 2023.
However, defense experts believe that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter supplied to the RAAF was a disaster. For example, Australia’s two F-35 fighter jets, purchased for more than $280 million in 2013, are probably too old to be updated to the current configuration.
In a similar line, the US Air Force is also concerned that its aged F-35s are now just expensive training planes. The majority of Australia’s fleet will be modernized to be more similar to that of the United States, albeit this will require even more money.
Last year, the US Air Force’s deputy chief of staff, Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, expressed grave concerns about the obsolete software, stating, “the block that is coming off the line right now is not a block that I feel good about going up against China and Russia.”
He further stated that a war scenario centered on the potential of protecting Taiwan against Chinese air attack demonstrated that “Every [F-35] that rolls off the line today is a fighter that we wouldn’t even bother putting into these scenarios.”
According to Independent Australia, the aircraft was planned to be a low-cost, light-weight, high-performance stealth fighter. The plane has a limited range, poor air-to-air combat survivability, and high running expenses, with each plane costing $100 million (AU$140 million).
The F-35’s purpose has been called into question. The fighter jet will require mid-air refueling if it has to go to Taiwan or near China to assist American jets in the event of an emergency, due to its combat range of only 1000 km.
The Sydney Morning Herald also stated the RAAF’s main challenge in battling China would be getting there on time.
Another big concern with the Australian F-35 is its inability to carry the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile. However, the country recently announced the plans to speed up the procurement of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER), which has a range of up to 900Km. These missiles will be outfitted in the Australian F-35 in near future.
Muahahahahahaha , sweetie ! @Innominate
Nowadays , I find engaging you more entertaining than Paddy who in any case was a man (?) of few words not because he isn't loqacious (no , it isn't what you think it means . do look up the meaning in the thesaurus) but because he's a modest man (?) with more than plenty to be modest about. @BMD
Another video from your favourite content creator on your favourite fighter aircraft in the world & he begins the presentation with an a ss in the background ( no not his a ss , no need to salivate ) with sounds of braying punctuating the silences in the video every now & then . Sort of sets the mood for what's to follow.
But I won't ruin the joy you'd feel by viewing this video . On the bright side 50% availability of the Lightnings can only mean it's battle ready at the drop of the hat & doesn't require intensive preparations for a war or war like scenario .
Besides 50% availability also reduces OPEX costs & training which can always be done on a simulator which is of course what both LM & DoD(?) or is it USAF recommends & since the Aussies don't know their front from their rear which is often the case with them , once directions came from the US , there was no need to second guess them but only follow instructions. @Optimist
The video ends with a nice parting shot . Please note sweetie , the content creator isn't French - your favourite foreign nationality in the world but a dago with smooth & slick olive oil style .
Happy viewing ,y'all !!(??)
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US Navy Fires Commander at Vital F-35 Facility
By Lisa McCoy - April 16, 2022The Navy said it has “lost confidence” in the colonel overseeing repair work on the most expensive military project in history.
The US Navy has laid off the commanding officer of the Fleet Readiness Center East in North Carolina due to a “Loss of confidence in their ability to command.” The facility is responsible for overhauling the Navy’s variant of the next-generation F-35 fighter jet, which, while already the most expensive military project in history, has been plagued with flaws and requires upgrades to see its life. Useful.
Marine Corps Col. Thomas Atkinson was relieved Friday and replaced by Capt. James Belmont, who was originally scheduled to take command in May, reads a Navy statement. No further details were given to explain Atkinson’s firing.
Fleet Readiness Center East has a workforce of more than 4,000 Sailors, Marines and civilians and is one of six facilities where Navy and Marine Corps aircraft are repaired and upgraded.
However, it is the only facility in the US certified to perform crucial airframe hardening work on the F-35B, a variant of the F-35 fighter jet used by the Navy and Corps. of Marines. As of mid-2021, the North Carolina facility had taken in 100 of these jets for modification, and after 15,000 hours of work, the first of these jets subjected to “laser blast shock” to strengthen its fuselage was certificate for service in January.
Although the military said that this procedure, which adds rigidity without adding additional weight, “Extend life expectancy” of the plane, the American Society of Metals said it was necessary to ensure that “The aircraft reaches its total life limit.” The Pentagon initially estimated the F-35’s service life at around four decades, but later reviewed that estimate was lowered to 10 years for some early F-35 variants.
a pentagon revision in early 2020 it found more than 800 software bugs with the F-35 and defects that rendered its weapon useless. Although “should” of these topics were repaired for that summer, a series of issues that could “injure or kill the pilots or endanger the safety of the aircraft” remained. With a current lifetime cost of around $1.7 billion, it is the most expensive military project ever undertaken, and even with the jet entering service, it already requires expensive modernization updates.
It is unclear if Atkinson’s removal is related to Fleet Readiness Center East’s work on the F-35.
It's terrible. According to GAO, it is less than the US are paying per plane.
I don't know what's happening sweetie but all those content makers on YT you enthusiastically linked out here are busy taking a dump on your beloved Lightnings . @Innominate
Spangdahlem Delivers F-35 Air Power to the Eastern Flank | Air & Space Forces Magazine
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, has become an air power projection point for the NATO Eastern Flank, including with F-35 Air Policing.
www.airforcemag.com