Lockheed Martin F-35: News ONLY topic

[TomcatViP]

F-35 MCR over different LRIP batches.
Certainly adds weight to the argument of going FRP.

View attachment 640124

Amazing. Let's also not forget all what this little airframe brings to the warfighter. The amount of innovations it packs could have left it in the low range of availability with no shame at all.

 

[marauder2048]

F-35 MCR over different LRIP batches.
Certainly adds weight to the argument of going FRP.

The "full rate production" decision has no bearing on yearly quantity whatsoever.

 

[TomcatViP]

Also the graphic illustrate perfectly how LM and the services have reached a point where the number introduced yearly has now no impact on mission rate.

 

[Bhurki]

F-35 MCR over different LRIP batches.
Certainly adds weight to the argument of going FRP.

The "full rate production" decision has no bearing on yearly quantity whatsoever.

Sure, but it does inspire quite a bit of confidence, to be honest.

 

[VTOLicious]

https://www.defensenews.com/unmanne...rones-to-complement-polands-future-f-35-jets/
...what drones are we talking about?

 

[Grey Havoc]

QF-16 UCAV, perhaps?

 

[TomcatViP]

I understand it as being a new design in cooperation with Poland.

 

[Flyaway]

I understand it as being a new design in cooperation with Poland.

Sounded like they wanted to sell it to the US as well.

 

[Bhurki]

These Are Some Of The Designs Submitted For The New Aggressors F-35 Color Scheme

https://theaviationist.com/2020/09/10/these-are-some-of-the-designs-submitted-for-the-new-aggressors-f-35-color-scheme/

 

[helmutkohl]

nice! we finally might see F-35s in something other than its usual grey stealth paint

I like the first 2 the best

but realistically I suppose they should try to do their best and mimic Russian and Chinese (maybe Iranian) colors?
in which case the Ghost scheme seems a bit closer to what the Russians might use for their production Su-57
the J-20 is overall not that different from the F-35's standard scheme
Iran currently uses a two toned sky blue scheme

 

[VTOLicious]

https://www.defensenews.com/unmanne...rones-to-complement-polands-future-f-35-jets/
...what drones are we talking about?

...
https://aviationweek.com/defense-sp...martin-unveils-details-mq-9-replacement-offer

 

[sferrin]

Looks like their failed MQ-25 entry.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Yes, it reminded me of that as well.

 

[fredymac]

F-35C clip from IMAX Guardian of the Seas. Can't find a full length movie so far.

New Collins ad for gen III F-35 HMD. They don't make any mention of the switch to OLED lighting to eliminate the "green glow" problem.

 

[Flyaway]

Looks like their failed MQ-25 entry.

It mentions in the article that it appears to be based on the Sea Ghost proposal & RQ-170.

 

[Flyaway]

U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs Are About To Go Aboard A British Carrier And They Might Be There To Stay

An Anglo-American F-35B force will be the centerpiece of the United Kingdom’s biggest carrier air group for 40 years.

www.thedrive.com

 

[bobbymike]

F-35 Stealth Fighter Now Costs Less Than Boeing’s F-15EX

Moreover, the aircraft’s maker, Lockheed Martin, has also done its part to bring the sustainability cost per flying hour down by some 40 percent—meaning that the F-35 costs less to fly per

www.realcleardefense.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Hmmm, I think I have a bridge or two stashed away somewhere...

 

[TomcatViP]

@Grey Havoc : Don't forget that the F-35 among other things, has one less engine that is from a generation beyond and far less structural parts.
Many of the parts routinely accessed or damaged during operations are pannels and skin elements made of impregnated CFRP, that once produced in quantity can be deceptively cheap to manufacture, even with tight stealth tolerance standards.

Last but not least, let's not forget that low operatinal cost was part of initial requirements, even if the road to that has not been that easy.

 

[TomcatViP]

Another cool video:

View: https://youtu.be/5_guMC3jeRs

 

[zebra159357]

Expensive F-15EX Does Not Deliver: Congress Should Nix Its Purchase

Earlier this year, the Air Force signed a deal to develop, test, and eventually buy up to 140 fourth-generation Boeing F-15EX fighters. Defense Department and Air Force arguments to acquire the F-15EX have run the gamut from it being cheaper to acquire and operate than the F-35, to the need to...

www.heritage.org

 

[Flyaway]

The UK’s F-35 numbers game. Maybe sacrificing future buys of the type in favour of funding Tempest.

Storm Clouds Gather Over F-35B Lightning As United Kingdom Prepares Defense Review

A reduced force of F-35Bs looks increasingly likely and could free up funds for the Tempest future fighter.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

@Grey Havoc : Don't forget that the F-35 among other things, has one less engine that is from a generation beyond and far less structural parts.
Many of the parts routinely accessed or damaged during operations are pannels and skin elements made of impregnated CFRP, that once produced in quantity can be deceptively cheap to manufacture, even with tight stealth tolerance standards.

Last but not least, let's not forget that low operatinal cost was part of initial requirements, even if the road to that has not been that easy.

I'm not sure they have actually attained that cost goal, especially given the still ongoing problems with the engine and other systems (and don't get me started on the unholy mess that is the software!). A lot of dubious accounting and such going on here I fear.