The F-35 Thread

[TLTeo]

Yea that's pretty standard. The Typhoon and Gripen have been criticized too. Hell in Italy even the freaking AMX was criticized like that, and the cost of one of those is nowhere near that of a front line fighter.

[falcon_120]

Which is why a computer flys it and most modern aircraft! Pilot directs and computer does the hard work and calculations.

 

It’s funny, the actual pilots who have flown it are all raving about how easy it is.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are talking about flying the jet. He is talking about fighting with the jet. Different things. Not saying that people saying that are right, i have no way to know it.

 

Enviado desde mi SM-G950F mediante Tapatalk

[Weta43]

Maybe already here ?

F-35's arriving in Norfolk

5_fQXb9OUsM

[Knock-Knock]

[Weta43]

"Italy says won't buy more F-35 fighter jets, may cut existing order":

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-defence-f35/italy-says-wont-buy-more-f-35-fighter-jets-may-cut-existing-order-idUSKBN1JW28M

[TLTeo]

That's idiotic. If it goes through and we keep the Tornado it will be the 104 debacle all over again, where we'll be flying aircraft 20 years after any reasonable retirement date. The AMX fleet is low on spares too, and the Harriers aren't going to get any younger any time soon -.-

 

 

edit: plus a) we currently have half a squadron worth of F35s, 10 of them to be exact, which also makes no sense. If we have so few the cost to maintain each one of them will be pretty stupid and b) as far as I know Italy is the only country with the tooling to assemble the F35 outside of the US, so withdrawing from the program is going to burn a LOT more money /sigh

Edited July 14, 2018 by TLTeo

[Heli]

 

 

F-35A Lightning II test aircraft assigned to the 31st Test Evaluation Squadron from Edwards Air Force Base, California, released AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X missiles at QF-16 targets during a live-fire test over an Air Force range in the Gulf of Mexico on June 12, 2018. The Joint Operational Test Team conducted the missions as part of Block 3F Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.

 

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4523036/f-35-missile-tests-eglin-afb

[Boogieman]

The likelihood of the F135 being replaced by a variable bypass powerplant from the mid 2020s seems to be growing.

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-starts-work-on-defining-adaptive-engine-for-fut-450053/

 

Quite a promising possibility for F35 operators.

[Pilotasso]

Meanwhile in RIAT:

 

vu8N579v75U

[HiJack]

The likelihood of the F135 being replaced by a variable bypass powerplant from the mid 2020s seems to be growing.

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-starts-work-on-defining-adaptive-engine-for-fut-450053/

 

Quite a promising possibility for F35 operators.

 

Was in the original plans.

[Coxy_99]

Was mentioned today they will be stationed in Norfolk Lakenheath replacing F-15C, They said they were keeping the E (If i heard it right) That was over the P.A system when it was doing its display.

[Weta43]

Meanwhile in RIAT:

 

vu8N579v75U

 

I'd like to have been there - I'm sure in person it was great, but personally - as they go I thought that was a pretty pedestrian display...

[wilky510]

I'd like to have been there - I'm sure in person it was great, but personally - as they go I thought that was a pretty pedestrian display...

It wasn't a full demo. There's not even a demonstration team for the F-35. It was just a test pilot who did a few passes.

 

 

But you knew that...

[Boogieman]

Nonsense! Weta actually has F35 posters all over his bedroom, and MQ25 stickers on his car :megalol:

[Weta43]

But you knew that...

 

Why would I know that ?

Pilotasso posted the video, I watched it, I commented on it....

 

I'd put an MQ25 sticker on my car - amazing piece of technology (searching for a use ;-)

[Boogieman]

Mate you are by far my favourite Russophile on the forum. Never change :love: :megalol:

Edited August 11, 2018 by Boogieman

[Boogieman]

 

:pilotfly:

[HiJack]

Awesome :pilotfly:

[Boogieman]

:thumbup:

 

[HiJack]

Norwegian F-35A and USAF F-22 refueling. Currently on operation in Norway.

[Mars Exulte]

I see these and 22s overhead regularly (I live next to the Lockheed assembly line). The 35 is surprisingly large. Like Flanker big. Waaaay bigger than 16s and 18s. Really didn't expect that first time I saw one. They seem to be noisier, too.

[Boogieman]

I don't know if they're quite as big as a Flanker but they're a real sight to behold in person. I got to see them up close at the last Avalon airshow over here. Struck me as oddly more compact up close than from a distance. The F135 is one hell of an engine though - I'm with you on the noise factor!!

[aaron886]

I see these and 22s overhead regularly (I live next to the Lockheed assembly line). The 35 is surprisingly large. Like Flanker big. Waaaay bigger than 16s and 18s. Really didn't expect that first time I saw one. They seem to be noisier, too.

 

Sorry, I've stood under one of their wings, it's not that big. Not much bigger than a Viper. Definitely smaller than a Rhino.

 

[Boogieman]

 

On Aug. 13, pilots from the 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Fighter Squadron fired the F-35A’s 25 mm internal cannon in a strafing run on two sets of ground targets on the Utah Test and Training range. It was the first use of the F-35A’s GAU-22/A in operational training.

 

https://theaviationist.com/2018/08/16/these-shots-show-388th-fw-f-35a-using-the-internal-cannon-for-the-first-time-in-operational-training/

[Mars Exulte]

Huh. Maybe it's just their shape makes them appear big to me. Feel silly now. They give the impression, to me at least, of being bulky and large more so than the others. I see 16s and 18s regularly also. I guess from below looking at a flat blue sky there's not much frame of reference. I stand corrected :p