The report states that the two fighter jets, among the most advanced in the world, circled at high altitude above Persian Gulf sites suspected of being associated with the Iranian nuclear program.
It also states that the two jets went undetected by radar, including by the Russian radar system located in Syria. The source refused to confirm if the operation was undertaken in coordination with the US army
Spud made a remark about the range but Israeli 35's are said to have the capability to be fitted with extra large EFT tanks. Adding some bags in the WB won't sound unrealistic to me too.
By: TomcatViP
- 29th March 2018 at 22:06Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
yes, the source is dubious (see "in coordination with the US Army"). But since it isn't probably a first order source and rumor of IAF 35's overflying Syria were made before, why not take what matters the most here as news: F-35 might be operating over Iran (already).
By: bring_it_on
- 29th March 2018 at 22:19Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
USS Essex is expected to deploy to the CENTCOM AOR shortly (likely in the summer).
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 26, 2018) – Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) transits the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California during an amphibious squadron and Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) integration (PMINT) exercise. PMINT is a training evolution between Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 13th MEU, which allows Sailors and Marines to train as a cohesive unit in preparation for their upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jenna Dobson/Released)
Yet again program of record unchanged, in spite of media reports. Irrelevant really, 1,763 F-35A or 1,200. Procurement over the next few years is most critical.
By: bring_it_on
- 30th March 2018 at 10:27Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It was always absurd to think that a CSAF in 2018 would have the power to, or would even want to dictate what the AF buys in the late 2020s or 2030s. So much of that is dependent on the capability of future F-35 blocks, future budgets, cost of future F-35s, cost of notional 6th generation fighter and its schedule, future national defense strategy, the quality and quantity of the systems fielded by adversaries etc etc. What the Bloomberg article should have stressed was the ongoing effort to try to shave around 30% of the long term O&S cost from the system and the pressure being applied by the DOD on the contractors to make sure that this happens. Multiple powers within the AF, and the DOD are working to that goal and this requires both technical solutions and policy decisions in order to facilitate smart sustainment of the fleet.
By: bring_it_on
- 30th March 2018 at 21:28Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
..
The Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122), Lt. Col. John P. Price, and Maintenance Officer of VMFA-122, Maj. Christopher J. Kelly, prepare for VMFA-122's first flight operations in an F-35B Lightning II on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Ariz., March 29, 2018. VMFA-122 is conducting the flight operations for the first time as an F-35 squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Allison Lotz)
the Government Accountability Office performed its analysis using existing aircraft as the cost model, when the F-35 was specifically designed for easier maintenance. Finally, estimating fuel and parts prices for such a long period of time teeters on the absurd. The Pentagon finds it almost impossible to estimate fuel costs out a two or three years, let alone 50.
Regardless of the precision of the GAO estimate, however, senior OSD and Air Force officials are clearly worried about the costs. They may also be using this to help nudge Lockheed, since they’re unhappy about its negotiating tactics and its lack of transparency on cost.
By: bring_it_on
- 31st March 2018 at 04:38Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It is a logical thing to go after. 5-6 years ago they were going after the technical difficulties and the production unit-cost. Now that they have, to a large extent, mitigated that, the next logical focus area is to reduce the sustainment estimate. Note that I say "estimate" because as Colin at BD points out, they are really really trying to go after the 50 or so year estimate for the program and the way they wil do that is not by correctly estimating fuel cost by by increasing their control on the ovreall enterprise which means adequate and time-bound depot capacity, and meeting the reliability and system specficiations with ALIS which is still a challenge that will likely spill over to C2D2 and perhaps beyond IOT&E. Given that a PHM system is now going to be a standard requirement for sustianing future fleets of tactical aircraft, it is important that they get this part right. Another part of this is the software sustainment plan because software development is a large expense for the program and buying and upgrading software is not a traditional DOD comptency, at least not at this scale given legacy fighter software footprint and what the F-35 program has and what is likely to come down the line with future variants/upgrades and clean sheet programs. One thing they are not doing, and not looking to do is slow the program down (90 aircraft ordered in one year during LRIP) so the alternative for the airforce which is going to be getting at or close to 60 aircraft a year is to focus hard on reducing O&S cost so that they can afford the right capacity and quantity they need.
By: bring_it_on
- 31st March 2018 at 13:01Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Pre IOT&E testing covering Close Air Support, Forward air controller airborne missions and Combat Search and rescue missions is set to begin next week at Edwards and Pt. Mugu under the supervision of Bob Behler (DOT&E). Data to be used towards IOT&E. These events are likely to last all April.
The full “increment two” test plan has not yet been approved by Robert Behler, the Pentagon’s director of operational test and evaluation. However, Winter said the scope of the assessment will include weapons drops, engagement with forward air controllers who call in air strikes and armed reconnaissance missions.
The DOT&E Office has already wrapped up the first increment of pre-IOT&E tests, which looked at the F-35’s performance in cold weather environments. It evaluated “the suitability and effectiveness” of a series of F-35 alert launches that took place in late January through early February at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
After the close-air support assessment has wrapped up, the data from both increments of tests will be formally reviewed by DOT&E before the aircraft moves into operational tests this fall. Winter expects IOT&E to wrap up in May 2019.
Horan said “some” of the Block 3F deficiencies need to be corrected before the Navy declares IOC but not all of them. He is most concerned about the software deficiencies related to green-glow and cockpit oscillations.
The Navy is using a Gen III helmet with updated software before the new organic-LED helmets are delivered.
“The current helmet we have software implementation to help them adjust the gain and intensity and that's working OK but not great,” he said. “We require a pilot to have 50 traps in another type of aircraft before we let them [carrier qualify] and do missions in the F-35 with that helmet.”
Horan anticipates delivery of the organic-LED helmets early next year but the service will not have them for IOT&E.
“Whether DOT&E wants to come back and look at it after they field it, that's a separate issue,” he said. “What we'll have is the older helmet with the software fixes so that the experienced pilots . . . will be able to conduct missions off the ship.”
The service recently approved measures to improve catapult ride quality for pilots in the F-35C, he said.
“We adjusted the repeatable-release holdback bar, adjusted the tension on that so it doesn't apply quite the same pulse to the nosegear on catapult launch,” he said. “We taught the pilots to pay a little more attention to strap-in because that made a difference. We're finding that it's still an aggressive cap shot but it's not a safety concern, it's not a health concern so we're comfortable that issue's resolved.”
The service tested the new procedures during shipboard testing once in December and again in a more recent test. The commanding officers of the two squadrons told Horan they are comfortable and the issue is resolved.
.
.
.
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Another challenge previously facing the service was the F-35C could not carry the AIM-9X missile.Horan said the Navy has funded and approved the plan to strengthen the F-35C wingtip so that it can support the AIM-9X missile weight. Four jets have been modified with the fix and the delivery schedule is two kits each month.“We're comfortable we'll have all six of the IOT&E jets ready to go” by September, he said...Thirty-two F-35C jets will require the modification and the Pentagon anticipates the retrofits will be completed by the end of 2018, the paper reads...
The Navy has not determined if intermediate-level maintenance will be available during the first F-35C shipboard deployment, Horan said.
“This is not a showstopper for first deployment,” he added.
The Navy and Marine Corps set aside $42 million in fiscal year 2019 for intermediate-level maintenance that is required at sea and is also expected to reduce stress on the supply chain.
"The Marine Corps' intermediate-level (I-level) maintenance capability will enable the organic repair of both support equipment and aircraft components to include Alternate Mission Equipment (AME) and F-35 gun pod repairs, engine component repair, low observable material repair procedures, limited hydraulic component repair, and limited airframe structures repair," according to March 7 written testimony submitted to Congress by Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, deputy commandant for aviation. "Cost is driven down through more efficient troubleshooting, a decrease in the cost of moving parts to and from OEM manufacturers, and better maintenance and sparing efficiency."
The service projects an I-level maintenance capability will save $451 million in lifetime ownership costs while also improving aircraft availability, according to the testimony.
Winter reiterated the cost savings estimate over a 20-year lifecycle. The JPO's Level of Repair Analysis team conducted Maintenance Task Analysis on 29 specific components to support I-level maintenance for the Navy and Marine Corps, according written testimony he submitted during the same March hearing.
Horan said the Navy is in the process of developing the F-35C intermediate-level maintenance concept of operations. He anticipates it being finalized by the end of the year.
“We have a ways to go before we actually [purchase] long lead items and that kind of stuff to actually get into the fleet,” he said.
CONOPs development includes how the Navy and Marine Corps will contract the spare parts needed. The F-35 program is different compared to other acquisition programs for spare parts contracting because instead of the individual services being responsible, the JPO negotiates for the entire enterprise.
By: SpudmanWP
- 2nd April 2018 at 23:04Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
F-35 ‘Green Glow’ And Carrier Launch Problems Solved
Landing a fighter on an aircraft carrier in the dead of night is a challenging feat even for the most experienced aviators. But for pilots flying the U.S. Navy F-35C carrier variant, nighttime carrier operations have been made even more difficult by a “green glow” that obscures their ...
Posts: 4,619
By: mrmalaya - 28th March 2018 at 21:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I can't get enough images of the F35 at sea.
Not long till the UK gets its turn.
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By: bring_it_on - 28th March 2018 at 21:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
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By: TomcatViP - 29th March 2018 at 20:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great shot of the complex nozzle geometry.
Cross posting from the News thread:
Report: Israeli stealth fighters fly over Iran
Spud made a remark about the range but Israeli 35's are said to have the capability to be fitted with extra large EFT tanks. Adding some bags in the WB won't sound unrealistic to me too.
Source:
Jerusalem Post Middle East
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By: SpudmanWP - 29th March 2018 at 21:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
They have not made them yet. Besides, EFTs would screw with RCS. So again, the report is BS.
Besides, to go from 760nm to 1200nm (Bandar Abbas) using EFTs is impossible due to increased drag from the EFT.
The mission "could" have happened, but it would require two IFR hookups (one going and one coming back).
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By: SpudmanWP - 29th March 2018 at 21:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Lol.. The source of that Iran story is higher than a kite. :stupid:
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By: TomcatViP - 29th March 2018 at 22:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
yes, the source is dubious (see "in coordination with the US Army"). But since it isn't probably a first order source and rumor of IAF 35's overflying Syria were made before, why not take what matters the most here as news: F-35 might be operating over Iran (already).
Posts: 12,109
By: bring_it_on - 29th March 2018 at 22:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
USS Essex is expected to deploy to the CENTCOM AOR shortly (likely in the summer).
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By: FBW - 30th March 2018 at 03:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
https://breakingdefense.com/2018/03/not-cutting-f-35-buy-but-depot-structure-may-change-csaf-goldfein/
Yet again program of record unchanged, in spite of media reports. Irrelevant really, 1,763 F-35A or 1,200. Procurement over the next few years is most critical.
Posts: 12,109
By: bring_it_on - 30th March 2018 at 10:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It was always absurd to think that a CSAF in 2018 would have the power to, or would even want to dictate what the AF buys in the late 2020s or 2030s. So much of that is dependent on the capability of future F-35 blocks, future budgets, cost of future F-35s, cost of notional 6th generation fighter and its schedule, future national defense strategy, the quality and quantity of the systems fielded by adversaries etc etc. What the Bloomberg article should have stressed was the ongoing effort to try to shave around 30% of the long term O&S cost from the system and the pressure being applied by the DOD on the contractors to make sure that this happens. Multiple powers within the AF, and the DOD are working to that goal and this requires both technical solutions and policy decisions in order to facilitate smart sustainment of the fleet.
Air Force wants F-35 sustainment cost to match that of legacy fighters
Posts: 12,109
By: bring_it_on - 30th March 2018 at 11:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Posts: 12,109
By: bring_it_on - 30th March 2018 at 21:28 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
..
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By: TomcatViP - 31st March 2018 at 03:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
https://breakingdefense.com/2018/03/not-cutting-f-35-buy-but-depot-structure-may-change-csaf-goldfein/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=61752371&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-94r_-bWdUWjhIkRSNg7fW5_LfuUjqBhEvHUIzBLAPAi38rY8R7fABtKiSgljS425fY6yhaj4cmjNO9x0E4LcS6pne6nw&_hsmi=61752371
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By: FBW - 31st March 2018 at 03:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Repost T-VIP check previous page.
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By: bring_it_on - 31st March 2018 at 04:38 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It is a logical thing to go after. 5-6 years ago they were going after the technical difficulties and the production unit-cost. Now that they have, to a large extent, mitigated that, the next logical focus area is to reduce the sustainment estimate. Note that I say "estimate" because as Colin at BD points out, they are really really trying to go after the 50 or so year estimate for the program and the way they wil do that is not by correctly estimating fuel cost by by increasing their control on the ovreall enterprise which means adequate and time-bound depot capacity, and meeting the reliability and system specficiations with ALIS which is still a challenge that will likely spill over to C2D2 and perhaps beyond IOT&E. Given that a PHM system is now going to be a standard requirement for sustianing future fleets of tactical aircraft, it is important that they get this part right. Another part of this is the software sustainment plan because software development is a large expense for the program and buying and upgrading software is not a traditional DOD comptency, at least not at this scale given legacy fighter software footprint and what the F-35 program has and what is likely to come down the line with future variants/upgrades and clean sheet programs. One thing they are not doing, and not looking to do is slow the program down (90 aircraft ordered in one year during LRIP) so the alternative for the airforce which is going to be getting at or close to 60 aircraft a year is to focus hard on reducing O&S cost so that they can afford the right capacity and quantity they need.
Posts: 12,109
By: bring_it_on - 31st March 2018 at 13:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Pre IOT&E testing covering Close Air Support, Forward air controller airborne missions and Combat Search and rescue missions is set to begin next week at Edwards and Pt. Mugu under the supervision of Bob Behler (DOT&E). Data to be used towards IOT&E. These events are likely to last all April.
https://twitter.com/BertdeSmit/status/979937590794108928
Some background from last month:
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By: bring_it_on - 31st March 2018 at 16:31 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
A few updates on the 3F issues required to be overcome before for the Navy declares IOC early next year -
Navy faces several challenges before declaring F-35C wartime ready in 2019
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By: bring_it_on - 1st April 2018 at 16:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Courtesy Tony Osborne (@Rotorfocus)
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By: bring_it_on - 2nd April 2018 at 21:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
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By: SpudmanWP - 2nd April 2018 at 23:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
F-35 ‘Green Glow’ And Carrier Launch Problems Solved
Rest behind the paywall.
http://aviationweek.com/awindefense/f-35-green-glow-and-carrier-launch-problems-solved
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By: bring_it_on - 2nd April 2018 at 23:24 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
^ Lee Hudson does a better job explaining it in the article quoted by me earlier.