Lockheed Martin F-35: News ONLY topic

[TomcatViP]

Greece fast tracking F-35 with used airframe acquisition:

Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos already has a proposal ready for the US for the acquisition of six fifth-generation F-35 fighters, with few flight hours, which could even be delivered to Greece within 2021.

Greece eyeing boost with F-35, Rafale aircraft, Vassilis Nedos | Kathimerini

The Defense Ministry is moving ahead with the reinforcement of the Hellenic Air Force with French-made Rafale and US F-35 fighter jets as well as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone response systems, possibly within 2021.

www.ekathimerini.com

 

[GTX]

Lockheed, U.S. government offer to sell 40 F-35As to Swiss air force

The U.S. government and Lockheed Martin submitted a proposal to the Swiss government offering up to 40 F-35A aircraft and a sustainment and training program.

www.upi.com

 

[Foo Fighter]

Greece fast tracking F-35 with used airframe acquisition:

Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos already has a proposal ready for the US for the acquisition of six fifth-generation F-35 fighters, with few flight hours, which could even be delivered to Greece within 2021.

Greece eyeing boost with F-35, Rafale aircraft, Vassilis Nedos | Kathimerini

The Defense Ministry is moving ahead with the reinforcement of the Hellenic Air Force with French-made Rafale and US F-35 fighter jets as well as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone response systems, possibly within 2021.

www.ekathimerini.com

What makes the F-46 a sixth gen aircraft? Fifth, OK, but SIXTH?

 

[TomS]

Greece fast tracking F-35 with used airframe acquisition:

Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos already has a proposal ready for the US for the acquisition of six fifth-generation F-35 fighters, with few flight hours, which could even be delivered to Greece within 2021.

Greece eyeing boost with F-35, Rafale aircraft, Vassilis Nedos | Kathimerini

The Defense Ministry is moving ahead with the reinforcement of the Hellenic Air Force with French-made Rafale and US F-35 fighter jets as well as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone response systems, possibly within 2021.

www.ekathimerini.com

What makes the F-46 a sixth gen aircraft? Fifth, OK, but SIXTH?

Um, the article refers to the F-35 (not F-46) as a fifth-generation aircraft. No mention of sixth-generation anywhere. Maybe you got thrown off because the initial delivery would be six aircraft?

 

[Foo Fighter]

You are quite correct, Sir. Thanks for the logic test, I needed it.

 

[AN/AWW-14(V)]

Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services.

500 Sidewinder AIM–9X Block II+ (Plus) Tactical Missiles;
40 Sidewinder AIM–9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs);
3 Sidewinder AIM–9X Block II Special Air Training Missiles (NATMS);
50 Sidewinder AIM–9X Block II+ (Plus) Tactical Guidance Units;
25 Sidewinder AIM–9X Block II CATM Guidance Units;
containers; spares; support equipment and missile support; United States Government and contractor technical assistance and other related logistics support; and other associated support equipment and services with a value of $490,000,000

to a previous sale notified to Congress on March 7, 2018, by Congressional certification of the possible sale
300 AIM–9X–2 Sidewinder Block II All-Up-Round Missiles;
40 AIM–9X–2 Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs);
30 AIM–9X–2 Block II Tactical Guidance Units;
15 AIM–9X–2 CATM Units;
containers; spares; support equipment and missile support; United States Government and contractor technical assistance and other related logistics support; and other associated support equipment and services.

https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLS/116/2/hjres/BILLS-116hjres103ih.xml

Block II+ aka AIM-9X-3 is unique version for 5-th gen fighters

 

[TomcatViP]

@AN/AWW-14(V) : I am sorry but I do not quite understand.

 

[AN/AWW-14(V)]

Congress did not allow Arabs to buy the newest version AIM-9X-3 for F-35, but agree to sell AIM-9X-2

In FY17 the program will begin to produce a third variant of the missile labeled the AIM-9X Block II PLUS (Block II+) to meet survivability requirements inherent to the 5th generation aircraft platforms. The Block II+ will be procured only for specific critical mission area and the balance of the AIM-9X inventory will be continue to be produced as regular Block II missiles to meet munitions requirement. AIM-9X Block II+ is being procured in 2017 for a 2019 delivery.

 

[TomS]

In FY17 the program will begin to produce a third variant of the missile labeled the AIM-9X Block II PLUS (Block II+) to meet survivability requirements inherent to the 5th generation aircraft platforms. The Block II+ will be procured only for specific critical mission area and the balance of the AIM-9X inventory will be continue to be produced as regular Block II missiles to meet munitions requirement. AIM-9X Block II+ is being procured in 2017 for a 2019 delivery.

I believe this is just a proposed bill to block the sale. It hasn't passed yet, and probably won't.

 

[TomcatViP]

Thank you.

 

[TomcatViP]

View: https://youtu.be/P1JGe1jj9u0

 

[TomcatViP]

Also, not to be overlooked, any F-35 arrival in Switzerland will doubtless bring a significant economic impact to include an infusion of jobs and possible technological sophistication in the world of aeronautics, weaponry and aviation, not to mention stealth. The Lockheed proposal seems well aware of this possibility, stating “should the F-35 be selected as the new fighter for Switzerland, this industrial work would take place in all Swiss regions. Swiss industry has the opportunity to compete for direct production of components for use on all F-35s produced, sustainment projects focused on supporting the Swiss Air Force and enhancing Swiss autonomy, and cyber security projects directly related to the F-35.”

Switzerland preps to buy F-35 | Fox News

Switzerland, perhaps known as among the calmest or least turbulent nations in recent geopolitical history, may acquire as many as 40 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, thus joining the fast-growing coalition of nations committed to sustain an allied community of 5th-gen aircraft.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Flyaway]

Newly declassified video of an F-35 dropping a dummy B61-12:

View: https://youtu.be/Q3GYfY9ERWo

Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a34775048/watch-f-35-drop-b-61-thermonuclear-bomb/

 

[Wyvern]

Watch An F-35 Drop A B61 Nuclear Bomb In This First-Ever Declassified Video

The supersonic drop test puts the F-35A a step closer to being able to employ the new nukes, which are literally worth more than their weight in gold.

www.thedrive.com

Greece Says It Is Willing To Take Second-Hand F-35s As Part Of An Urgent Request: Report

Athens’ letter to the Pentagon could kickstart a fast-track acquisition process for the stealth fighters, which it says it badly needs.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Josh_TN]

I do not understand why B-61-12 is still spin stabilized when it has guidance fins now. I think an unguided mode is preserved, but I wouldn't have thought the spin rockets would fire if the INS was correcting course.

 

[TomcatViP]

@Josh_TN : Isn't that for penetration? (the spin momentum fight back any offset action resulting from the initial impact)

 

[Flyaway]

@Josh_TN : Isn't that for penetration? (the spin momentum fight back any offset action resulting from the initial impact)

That’s what I assumed it to be as well.

 

[Josh_TN]

Ah, thanks.

 

[AN/AWW-14(V)]

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $9,326,062 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Long Range Systems Division seeking to integrate the Navy Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) into the F-35. The AARGM-ER is a Navy weapon that will provide the F-35A advanced suppression of enemy air defenses/destruction of enemy air defenses capability.

Contracts for November 23, 2020

Today

www.defense.gov

 

[sferrin]

Wonder how the new one compares to the previous AARGM "future version" in range/speed.

 

[TomcatViP]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1332272123491065856

View: https://twitter.com/AlMarshallRAF/status/1332272123491065856?s=20

 

[Josh_TN]

The F35 program has a lot of problems. But being an off the shelf SEAD aircraft isn’t one of them.

 

[TomcatViP]

US confirm discussion with Greece:

“The United States, at the highest levels, has welcomed Greece’s interest in acquiring the F-35 for the Hellenic Air Force,” Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said in a statement.
“We have signaled our support for procurement and are working closely together on a future acquisition program,” Pyatt said.

US confirms Greece is seeking to buy F-35s amid tensions with Turkey

The US acknowledgment follows a report earlier this month that Athens formally requested to buy as many as 24 of the advanced fighter aircraft.

www.al-monitor.com

Ambassador Pyatt Rejects Reports That Greece Will Not Acquire F-35 Fighter Jets - Greek City Times

US Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt said in an announcement today that his country welcomes Greece's decision to purchase the fifth generation F-35 stealth

greekcitytimes.com

This comes in parallel with Greek/UAE defense pact (two nation that will share tomorrow a very similar fleet of aircraft).

 

[TomcatViP]

And as seen from the USAF:

Greece Wants F-35s So Quickly It’s Willing to Accept Used Aircraft - Air Force Magazine

Greece has formally asked the U.S. to purchase 18-24 F-35s, and it wants them so quickly it’s willing to accept ex-USAF airplanes.

www.airforcemag.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Beast mode for Italian A&B and mass launch for the Marines:

Italian Air Force operates F-35A and F-35B in ‘Beast Mode’

The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) has announced that an F-35A and an F-35B aircraft flew in ‘Beast Mode’ for the first time.

www.airforce-technology.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1333440672498675714

View: https://twitter.com/theF35JPO/status/1333440672498675714/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1333440672498675714%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-33809614511825052747.ampproject.net%2F2011070101001%2Fframe.html

U.S. Marine Corps conduct mass launch of 21 F-35B stealth fighters

Members of the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 conducted the mass launch of twenty-one F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft on Nov. 24 at Beaufort Base. “Pilots and students assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 conduct a max effort launch with...

defence-blog.com

 

[marauder2048]

@Josh_TN : Isn't that for penetration? (the spin momentum fight back any offset action resulting from the initial impact)

That’s what I assumed it to be as well.

Actually, I think it's just residue from the previous B61s that used the high spin rate as a unique environment
signal for arming. It's the second stronglink enablement signal; the other was parachute deployment but with
that gone...

 

[Flyaway]

House and Senate authorizers approved 14 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters over DoD’s 2021 budget request: 12 F-35As and 2 F-35Bs. In addition, the Air Force is authorized to add six F-35s meant for Turkey to its own fleet.

The accord “supports the budget request and service’s Unfunded Priorities Lists by authorizing 93 F35 aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps,” explains a summary of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report released today by the Democratic Majority of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In total, the authorizers okayed $9.1 billion for the program.


The authorizers’ agreement to boost the F-35 buy echos the Senate Armed Services Committee version of the NDAA, and in effect splits the different between Senate and House appropriators; House defense appropriators wanted to add 12 F-35s; their Senate counterparts, 17. Of course, no defense appropriations bills been passed and one does not look likely. Unless appropriators add the additional F-35s to a Continuing Resolution there may not be any money to buy them,


The two sides of Capitol Hill agreed that the Air Force should be able to use the six F-35s ordered but never delivered to Turkey after Erdogan’s country was ejected from the program in July over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense system, the conference report explains. Those aircraft currently sit in storage at Edwards AFB.

NDAA Adds 14 F-35s, OKs $9.1B; Fully Funds B-21

Authorizers want CAPE to assess costs and risks of the "aggressive and uncertain plan" Digital Century Series approach to acquire NGAD aircraft.

breakingdefense.com

 

[bobbymike]

Marines Demonstrate Ability to Include Carrier-Based F-35Cs in Expeditionary Base Plans - USNI News

SAN DIEGO, Calif., – The Marine Corps’ first carrier-capable F-35C Lightning II squadron demonstrated, for the first time, the capability to quickly rearm and refuel at expeditionary land bases, a mission key for future island-hopping operations that top leaders envision the U.S. military will...

news.usni.org

 

[TomcatViP]

Criminal investigation into faulty coolant tubing declined

 

[TomcatViP]

Belgian MoD confirms their F-35 will be nuke capable (in Fr) :

Ludivine Dedonder affirme que les F-35 disposeront d’une capacité «duale» et donc nucléaire

La ministre de la Défense, Ludivine Dedonder, a évoqué la possibilité que les avions de combat F-35 achetés par la Belgique aux États-Unis puissent effectuer une mission nucléaire.

www.sudinfo.be

 

[Racer]

Also, not to be overlooked, any F-35 arrival in Switzerland will doubtless bring a significant economic impact to include an infusion of jobs and possible technological sophistication in the world of aeronautics, weaponry and aviation, not to mention stealth. The Lockheed proposal seems well aware of this possibility, stating “should the F-35 be selected as the new fighter for Switzerland, this industrial work would take place in all Swiss regions. Swiss industry has the opportunity to compete for direct production of components for use on all F-35s produced, sustainment projects focused on supporting the Swiss Air Force and enhancing Swiss autonomy, and cyber security projects directly related to the F-35.”

Switzerland preps to buy F-35 | Fox News

Switzerland, perhaps known as among the calmest or least turbulent nations in recent geopolitical history, may acquire as many as 40 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, thus joining the fast-growing coalition of nations committed to sustain an allied community of 5th-gen aircraft.

www.foxnews.com

Not mentioned there, but on regional (Swiss) news places: Local F-35 production would be offered for only 4 planes - and only for quite an additional cost on top of the nearly 6 billion $ limit. Other contenders offer complete final assembly of all planes - within the contract limit.
And: "Swiss industry has the opportunity to compete for direct production of components for use on all F-35s produced." ...is not really what was asked for. It was asked for 60% of contract value to come back to Swiss industry. That all gives F-35 a very hard stand to win.

Edit: Link to such information:
https://www.defensenews.com/global/...ir-offers-in-high-stakes-swiss-warplane-race/

 

[TomcatViP]

Not sure. Early on Swiss MoD specifically explicited that transfer was all about sustaining the plane and SAM system in house with the local industry. Something LM agreed.
IMOHO this was in order to restrain Europeans to ran for a Belgian package as offered to Belgium by Dassault with endless political talking around redefining Swiss defensive posture (what is a defense pack) when this is neither needed nor suitable.

See the 4 airframe as an incentive to boost local industry knowledge on modern military technology, something any 1980's fighter wouldn't be able to offer...

LM even detailed manufacturing and software apps as the two domains where they think Swiss industry was well positioned to compete.

Obviously, this unless acting MoD changed her mind.

 

[Racer]

It is not about tech transfer (alone), but money coming back. 60% is a set demand in the contest. There was a lengthy and hot debate in the MoD about it with this as final conclusion. 4 Airframe production is not within the given money limit. Therefore not a serious option. Or Switzerland would have to reduce the amount of planes accordingly to cover the additional cost. That would be how many? 5? As mentioned: not a serious option. It is not allowed to use additional money, otherwise a new poll would be needed. The poll was won with 50.4% only. There is for sure no second chance or to ask for more money. Only this much of money or nothing at all.

 

[Flyaway]

RAAF F-35As achieve initial operational capability

Lockheed Martin F-35As in service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have achieved initial operational capability (IOC).

www.flightglobal.com

 

[Bhurki]

Dec' 2020
Annual deliveries - 123
Total delivered - 614

Year.....Annual Rate...Total Units
2011...........9.................9
2012..........29...............38
2013..........35...............73
2014..........36..............109
2015..........45..............154
2016..........46..............200
2017..........66..............266
2018..........91..............357
2019........134..............491
2020........123..............614

 

[TomcatViP]

When you understand that F-35s can fly anywhere un-impaired in the M.E, a region only limited by access to technology in their weapons acquisition policies, you've to wonder if anyone has a real sense of the awe power yet in the hands of those gifted to get their buy flying.

The F-35 program is not only a weapon, it's a change of era in the military akin to the Renaissance in arts.

 

[Bhurki]

When you understand that F-35s can fly anywhere un-impaired in the M.E, a region only limited by access to technology in their weapons acquisition policies, you've to wonder if anyone has a real sense of the awe power yet in the hands of those gifted to get their buy flying.

The F-35 program is not only a weapon, it's a change of era in the military akin to the Renaissance in arts.

Yeah, lets just hope it hits FRP in '21.

 

[TomcatViP]

Of the total 123 supersonic, stealthy F-35 fighter aircraft manufactured, 74 were supplied by Lockheed Martin to the US military, 31 to international partner nations and 18 to Foreign Military Sales customers this year.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and related supplier delays, the company revised its annual aircraft delivery goal from initial 141 to 117-123 in May 2020.

Lockheed Martin delivers its 123rd F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Italian Air Force

Lockheed Martin has recently delivered its 123rd F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft of this year to the Italian Air Force, despite Covid-19 challenges.

www.airforce-technology.com

 

[jeffb]

It is not about tech transfer (alone), but money coming back. 60% is a set demand in the contest. There was a lengthy and hot debate in the MoD about it with this as final conclusion. 4 Airframe production is not within the given money limit. Therefore not a serious option. Or Switzerland would have to reduce the amount of planes accordingly to cover the additional cost. That would be how many? 5? As mentioned: not a serious option. It is not allowed to use additional money, otherwise a new poll would be needed. The poll was won with 50.4% only. There is for sure no second chance or to ask for more money. Only this much of money or nothing at all.

Something which isn't mentioned with the tech transfer aspects of the F35 is the changes regularly required to client state intellectual property policies. These can be surprisingly onerous and far reaching, especially where F35 parts manufacturing or maintenance is involved.

 

[marauder2048]

Something which isn't mentioned with the tech transfer aspects of the F35 is the changes regularly required to client state intellectual property policies. These can be surprisingly onerous and far reaching, especially where F35 parts manufacturing or maintenance is involved.

This is based on what exactly?