L'Italia acquista i primi 3 F-35

[fuzz77]

Più o meno dice quanto abbiamo già detto qui, aggiungendovi alcune considerazioni interessanti, ma glissa sul fatto che il motore dell'AF-2 era depotenziato; cosa che secondo me è molo importante per valutare i risultati del confronto.

però l'F-16 utilizzato per il confronto mi pare avesse i Droptank, che oltre a pesare limitano il numero di G a 4 o 5

[ISO-8707]

però l'F-16 utilizzato per il confronto mi pare avesse i Droptank, che oltre a pesare limitano il numero di G a 4 o 5

The target aircraft was anF-16D Block 40. It was equipped with a GE-I00 engine and configured with no CATM weapons and two370 gallon wing tanks. No restrictions were placed on the target other than the basic aircraft designlimits associated with wing tanks (7.0 Nz acceleration until empty).

http://aviationweek.com/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2015/06/F-35%20High%20AoA%20Maneuvers.pdf

[fuzz77]

http://aviationweek.com/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2015/06/F-35%20High%20AoA%20Maneuvers.pdf

cavolo, due serbatoi da 370 galloni sono circa tre tonnellate di peso in più, oltre alla limitazione dei G massimi raggiungibili a 5

e allora ti credo che questo test ha destato allarme

[shadow_line]

L'F35 è figlio di un momento storico in cui era evidente l'ossessione per la stealthness sopra ogni altra cosa

poi sono arrivati nuovi radar, poi si è visto che rincorrere solo "l'invisibilità" non è detto che sia abbastanza

poi gli UAV si sono sempre più evoluti

oggi l'F35 appare già ora un po' superato, anche se comunque nelle linee avversarie al momento non ha veri concorrenti

[shadow_line]

Da F35.com

in pratica confermano che l'aereo finito è una piattaforma porta-sensori fatta per il confronto a distanza, quindi il prossimo passo, diciamo tra 20-25 anni, sarà collegare tutti quei sensori a un computer invece che a un pilota

The media report on the F-35 and F-16 flight does not tell the entire story. The F-35 involved was AF-2, which is an F-35 designed for flight sciences testing, or flying qualities, of the aircraft. It is not equipped with a number of items that make today's production F-35s 5th Generation fighters.

Aircraft AF-2 did not have the mission systems software to use the sensors that allow the F-35 to see its enemy long before it knows the F-35 is in the area. Second, AF-2 does not have the special stealth coating that operational F-35s have that make them virtually invisible to radar. And third, it is not equipped with the weapons or software that allow the F-35 pilot to turn, aim a weapon with the helmet, and fire at an enemy without having to point the airplane at its target.

The tests cited in the article were done earlier this year to test the flying qualities of the F-35 using visual combat maneuvers to stress the system, and the F-16 involved was used as a visual reference to maneuver against. While the dogfighting scenario was successful in showing the ability of the F-35 to maneuver to the edge of its limits without exceeding them, and handle in a positive and predictable manner, the interpretation of the scenario results could be misleading. The F-35's technology is designed to engage, shoot, and kill its enemy from long distances, not necessarily in visual "dogfighting" situations. There have been numerous occasions where a four-ship of F-35s has engaged a four-ship of F-16s in simulated combat scenarios and the F-35s won each of those encounters because of its sensors, weapons, and stealth technology.

[stev66]

Il problema è che sembra che al piattaforma sensori, complici i ritardi biblici, non sia più all'altezza dei migliori concorrenti cinesi e russi, nati proprio per rilevare gli F-35 prima di essere da lui rilevati.

[shadow_line]

Questo di chi scopre-prima-chi sarà il problema e il business dei prox 50 anni infatti

[ISO-8707]

Prima apparizione pubblica ad un air-show

https://www.facebook.com/AirshowStuff

Modificato 24 Luglio 2015 da ISO-8707

[Martin Venator]

Deludenti i test imbarcati dell'F-35B dei Marines - Analisi Difesa

Lockheed F-35?s Reliability Found Wanting in Shipboard Testing - Bloomberg Business

Six F-35Bs, the most complex version of the Pentagon’s costliest weapons system, were available for flights only half of the time needed, Michael Gilmore, the Defense Department’s director of operational testing, said in a memo obtained by Bloomberg News. A Marine Corps spokesman said the readiness rate was more than 65 percent.While the exercise on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp resulted in useful training for Marines and Navy personnel, Gilmore wrote in the assessment dated July 22, it also documented that “shipboard reliability” and maintenance “were likely to present significant near-term challenges.”

In the assessment submitted to Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, Gilmore said “Marine maintainers had rapid, ready access to spare parts from shore” and “received significant assistance” from Lockheed and subcontractor personnel.

Even with these advantages, “aircraft reliability was poor enough that it was difficult for the Marines to keep more than two or three of the six embarked jets in a flyable status on any given day,” he wrote.

The challenges to keeping the aircraft flying “will be substantially tougher when the aircraft first deploys” on an operational mission under more trying conditions, he said.

[ISO-8707]

Dichiarata l'operatività della versione B.

U.S. Marine Corps Declares the F-35B Operational

The U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II aircraft reached initial operational capability today with a squadron of 10 F-35Bs ready for world-wide deployment.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), based in Yuma, Arizona, is the first squadron in military history to become operational with an F-35 variant, following a five-day Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), which concluded July 17.

"I am pleased to announce that VMFA-121 has achieved initial operational capability in the F-35B, as defined by requirements outlined in the June 2014 Joint Report to Congressional Defense Committees," said Gen. Joseph Dunford, Commandant of the Marine Corps. "VMFA-121 has ten aircraft in the Block 2B configuration with the requisite performance envelope and weapons clearances, to include the training, sustainment capabilities, and infrastructure to deploy to an austere site or a ship. It is capable of conducting close air support, offensive and defensive counter air, air interdiction, assault support escort and armed reconnaissance as part of a Marine Air Ground Task Force, or in support of the Joint Force."

Dunford stated that he has his full confidence in the F-35B's ability to support Marines in combat, predicated on years of concurrent developmental testing and operational flying.

"Prior to declaring IOC, we have conducted flight operations for seven weeks at sea aboard an L-Class carrier, participated in multiple large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation which included multiple live ordnance sorties," said Dunford. "The F-35B's ability to conduct operations from expeditionary airstrips or sea-based carriers provides our Nation with its first 5th generation strike fighter, which will transform the way we fight and win."

As the future of Marine Corps tactical aviation, the F-35 will eventually replace three legacy platforms: the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler.

"The success of VMFA-121 is a reflection of the hard work and effort by the Marines in the squadron, those involved in the program over many years, and the support we have received from across the Department of the Navy, the Joint Program Office, our industry partners, and the Under Secretary of Defense. Achieving IOC has truly been a team effort," concluded Dunford.

The U.S. Marine Corps has trained and qualified more than 50 Marine F-35B pilots and certified about 500 maintenance personnel to assume autonomous, organic-level maintenance support for the F-35B.

VMFA-121's transition will be followed by Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211), an AV-8B squadron, which is scheduled to transition to the F-35B in fiscal year 2016. In 2018, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122), an F-18 Hornet squadron, will conduct its transition.

Dunford Mulls F-35B IOC Decision; 4 Bs Take Out 9 Attackers

WASHINGTON: During the Marine’s recent operational readiness test of the F-35B, four of the Marine aircraft went up against nine enemy aircraft.

“It went very poorly for the bad guys,” Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant for aviation, told me this afternoon. Davis provided few details, saying they were classified, He did say that the F-35s faced a threat that “we have never put an F-16 or a Harrier against.” The F-35Bs, he said, did a “great job.”

I asked Davis about the recent news that the F-35A did not fare that well in dogfight conditions against an F-16. “I love the F-16. It was a great airplane. Still is pretty good, but i would not want to be in a fight against an F-35.”

In a clear message to A-10 advocates, Davis said the F-35B performed extremely well at Close Air Support missions using Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and laster-guided GBU-12s. The aircraft does need a cannon, he conceded, for some missions. The gun is currently undergoing its first tests mounted on an aircraft but it won’t be deployed on the plane until 2017 when the Block 3F software is installed. But Davis was unequivocal in his enthusiasm for the aircraft. “No airplane in the world will be able to touch this jet at Close Air Support,” he told reporters.

Davis said he had made his recommendation about the F-35B’s Initial Operating Capabilitity to Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford: “He’s got all the paperwork now and he’s going through it.” Breaking D readers will remember that Dunford has been nominated to become the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and has been a bit busy recently dealing with nomination hearings and such.

Davis said early models of the F-35B are currently maintaining a 60 percent to 65 percent mission readiness rate, something he expects to rise substantially as more newer planes come to the line. He noted a training squadron with newer planes was “getting 70 to 75 percent rates the other day.” The overall goal is 80 percent later in the program.

The Marines plan to buy 353 F-35Bs and Davis said he has heard absolutely nothing to convince him that number should be cut. It seems pretty certain he has recommended to Dunford that IOC be approved, but, as he put it, that’s the commandant’s decision.

UPDATED The Pentagon’s top buyer, Frank Kendall, told reporters Tuesday he had confidence in the Marines’ approach and in Lt. Gen. Davis personally: “I think the Marines are being careful about this IOC declaration. I’ve talked to General Davis; he’s not going to recommend it to the commandant until they’re fully ready.”