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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sharpey
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HB_Pencil:  Your http://milnet.ca/forums/threads/22809/post-1433606.html#msg1433606

Things may be getting very interesting indeed in terms of what physical equipment and what electronics may be able to perform what missions.  And wherein fit the humans.

Just some blue-sky stuff--but wait until Google (abandoning "Do no harm"), Apple etc. get a scent of the possible money.

Mark
Ottawa
 
JPO says 3i good to go:

F-35 Program Office Signs Off On Air Force 3i Software

The F-35 joint program office has completed development of the Block 3i software the Air Force will use to declare its jets operational later this year, and will soon begin retrofitting the fleet with the improved software load.

The JPO and the F-35 test team have been working overtime for months to fix major bugs in the original Block 3i software. Pilots found that jets’ systems would shut down midflight about once every three or four hours and have to be rebooted. This “choking” effect, which pilots are seeing both in the air and on the ground during startup, is caused in essence by a timing misalignment of the software of the plane’s sensors and the software of its main computers.

But the new, improved version of 3i is a significant improvement, according to the JPO. The new version showed approximately twice the level of stability as the previous load, Block 2B, and three times better stability than the original 3i software, JPO spokesman Joe DellaVedova wrote in a Monday [May 9] email.

The JPO will begin to upgrade the F-35 fleet with the new 3i software beginning this week, DellaVedova said. The same fixes have also been incorporated into a new version of the Block 2B software, which the Marine Corps used to declare initial operational capability last year. The new version of 2B will be used to start retrofitting the earlier F-35s by the end of May, he noted.

The entire fleet of fielded F-35 jets will eventually be upgraded to the latest 3i and 2B software versions by the end of this year, according to DellaVedova.

The F-35 program is now focused on completing Block 3F, the software load that will give the fleet its full war-fighting capability, he wrote...
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/09/f-35-program-office-signs-off-air-force-3i-software/84138390/

Mark
Ottawa
 
Looks like win in Danish competition:

Denmark picks F-35s instead of Super Hornet or Typhoon

The Danish government has picked U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. to supply 27 of its F-35 Lightning fighter jets, TV2 News said on Wednesday, citing unidentified sources.

Denmark's decision has been closely watched, as several other nations also have to decide whether to replace their aged warplanes with Lockheed Martin's brand new F-35 or choose cheaper, older-generation planes such as Super Hornets.

An expert group formed by the Danish Ministry of Defence last month concluded that the F-35 Lightning was a better option than Eurofighter's Typhoon or Boeing Co.'s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet...
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/denmark-picks-f--s-instead-of-super-hornet-or/article_d4d93ec5-909c-5675-bb84-53102ce92111.html

Note hoped-for numbers down considerably:

...
The three competitors have submitted bids for 24, 30 and 36 aircraft to the MoD's Project Office. Denmark had originally sought bids for up to 48 aircraft to replace the Danish Air Force’s aging F-16s.

However, economic uncertainty and tougher public spending cuts have reduced Denmark’s appetite for higher budgets and lowered its ambitions regarding the number of aircraft to be acquired...
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/2015/12/05/denmark-further-postpones-fighter-selection-until-2016/76729290/

Mark
Ottawa
 
More on Danish competition--note evaluation methodology and info made public:

Denmark Confirms F-35 after Re-Evaluating Fighter Alternatives

The Danish government has confirmed the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II for its new fighter program after evaluating the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon. It is seeking parliamentary approval to buy 27 of the stealth jets involving a total investment of DKr 20 billion (about $3.1 billion). Deliveries will be from 2021-26. Although the country originally intended to procure 48 F-35s, the current government says that 27 will suffice to replace the current tasking of its F-16s.

Denmark is one of eight international partners in the F-35 program, but like Canada, has not yet placed any orders. In July 2014 it received alternative offers from Boeing and Eurofighter. Dassault and Saab decided not to bid the Rafale and Gripen, respectively, judging that Denmark would eventually confirm its original choice. But in documents released today, the Danish Ministry of Defence has indicated the breadth and depth of its evaluation, which included validation of its methodology by three independent consultants.

The F-35 was the winner of four separate evaluations covering strategic, military, economic and industrial considerations. The Super Hornet—for which Boeing lobbied intensively in Denmark—was placed second in the latter three categories. In the military evaluation, the F-35 was the clear winner on survivability, mission effectiveness and future development possibilities. This was because of its low radar signature “as well as the application of advanced systems and sensors,” according to the evaluators.

They estimated a life-cycle cost (LCC) of nearly $6.5 billion to operate 28 F-35s over a 30-year period. The Ministry of Defence developed an LCC calculation model in conjunction with consultants Deloitte. The model included “costs linked to procurement” as well as ongoing operations and sustainment and “quantifiable risks.” The LCC estimates for the Super Hornet and the Eurofighter were $9.3 billion and $10.9 billion, respectively. These were considerably higher than the F-35 because—according to the evaluators—more airframes would have to be procured since both types have a 6,000-hour life, versus 8,000 hours for the F-35. The number of Eurofighters required was calculated to be 34, and the number of Super Hornets was 38.

The estimate for the Super Hornet was further inflated because “it is a two-seat aircraft, which implies a greater need for flight instruction hours and training of crews.” It is not clear whether or why Boeing chose to bid only two-seat Super Hornets. The Eurofighter had higher maintenance costs per flight hour than the other two contenders, according to the evaluators.

As for industrial cooperation, the 26 initiatives proposed by Lockheed Martin were valued at just over $4 billion, versus about $2.9 billion for the 30 initiatives proposed by Eurofighter, and $2.3 billion for the 68 initiatives proposed by Boeing. However, the Boeing offer was judged “more feasible and mature” than that from Eurofighter. Moreover, the evaluation noted that the F-35 offer was not firm, and its potential was “conditioned on the ability of the Danish defense industry to win contracts in accordance with the ‘best value’ principle.” 
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-05-12/denmark-confirms-f-35-after-re-evaluating-fighter-alternatives

Mark
Ottawa
 
More on Danes with charts:

F-35 Wins Denmark Competition: Trounces Super Hornet, Eurofighter
...
Screen-Shot-2016-05-12-at-9.58.41-AM.png

...
http://breakingdefense.com/2016/05/f-35-wins-denmark-competition-trounces-super-hornet-eurofighter/

Mark
Ottawa
 
Dissenting view by a Finn on Danish transparency--a tweet:

Aleksi Roinila
‏@aleroi

The Danish fighter selection report is basically "we decided the F-35 was best and we won't tell you why" except it takes 8 pages to say it.
https://twitter.com/aleroi/status/730843026227113985

Mark
Ottawa
 
MarkOttawa said:
Dissenting view by a Finn on Danish transparency--a tweet:

Mark
Ottawa

There's a stretch Mark.  A Finnish blogger?
 
Nice article about the F-35 by USAF test pilots.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/air-force-officials-weigh-f-165300719.html

Although the F-35 Lightning II regularly makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, Air Force pilots at Edwards Air Force Base in California have begun weighing in on the jet's capabilities, and it's good news.

US Air Force Lt. Col. Raja Chari, director of the F-35 integrated test force and commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron, said that the F-35's automated systems free up the pilot to focus on mission planning in an interview with Defense News.

“Each plane is its own command and control platform,” said Chari, who also has experience flying a legacy platform, the F-15.

“You don’t have to do as much stick and rudder, just getting to and from, because there are so many automated modes to use on the F-35 ... [It] is almost as easy as breathing.”

US Air Force Maj. Raven LeClair, also of the 461st flight test squadron, raved about another unique aspect of the Joint Strike Fighter, the "glass" or dual touch-screen display which is highly customizable by individual pilots.

“It’s the Burger King jet,” Chari said of the F-35's versatile setups. “You can have it however you want, your way.”

 
Good senator doesn't seem to have considered foreign partners:

McCain Looks To Kill F-35 Joint Program Office
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/13/mccain-looks-kill-f-35-joint-program-office/84323678/

Mark
Ottawa
 
Cost and numbers big concern for Danish F-35A selection:

Denmark's Fighter Jet Selection To Likely Cause Political Furor

The Danish government’s decision to recommend the F-35A Lightning II as the country’s preferred multi-role next-generation fighter option is likely to stir a heated, political debate focused on the affordability of the fighter procurement program (FPP).

Moreover, leading opposition parties are unhappy that the total cost of the FPP, conservatively estimated at DKK 56.4 billion (US $8.6 billion), will need to be found within the Danish military's existing low-spend financial framework.

The cost of aircraft acquisition, within the total estimated appraisal, amounts to DKK 20 billion. This delivers a flyaway per unit cost of about DKK 729 million. The DKK 56.4 billion total capital outlay appraisal includes life cycle costs based on a projected 30-year, in-service estimate.

"There will be an intense debate on this. There are varying views on cost, affordability and the number of fighter aircraft that Denmark needs. It will be up to the national parliament to decide the direction and outcome of this project," said Marie Krarup, the Socialist People's Party spokesperson on defense...

A number of opposition parties, including the Socialist People's Party, intend to pressure the government to significantly increase the level of spending in defense budgets going forward in order to offset the Danish military's spending power due to the financial drain caused by the FPP [!!! emphasis added, imagine that in Canada].

"If we are serious about our commitment to NATO, we need to raise annual spending on defense to the 2 percent of GDP recommended by the alliance," Krarup said. "At present we are at 1.2 percent of GDP."

Political disagreements between the government and opposition parties are expected to flare in respect to the affordability factor. The government will propose the acquisition of 27 F-35A aircraft to the Folketing, Denmark’s national parliament, once the full-on political debate commences in the second half of 2016.

The Conservatives, the main party backing Rasmussen’s minority administration, will push the government to purchase 30 aircraft, while the Socialist People's Party wants the number lowered to between 18 and 24 fighter planes...

Mark
Ottawa
 
gettyimages-488542979.jpg


Perceptions may be different when you have these guys doing barrel rolls over your turf.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2217416/denmark-intercepts-russian-bomber-aircraft-near-territorial-airspace/

Not that they aren't over our turf but they aren't within sight of downtown Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
 
Chris Pook: Well RuAF doesn't enter sovereign Canadian--or Danish--airspace as far as one knows ;).

Mark
Ottawa
 
I believe our "turf" can be construed as including the approaches to sovereign territory as well as the territory itself.    Wouldn't that be the reason that we dispatch interceptors before they cross into our recognized airspace?

Our interceptors have hours of reaction time. The Danes, Swedes and Balts have minutes if not seconds.

But you are right.  We don't see RuAF aircraft over Canada proper.
 
Note F-35 tailhook one-time use only (Norwegians will have drag chute--RCAF would have to pay to get):

Testing of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter‘s tailhook has commenced
http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123473739
at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The JSF Integrated Test Force has been undertaking the tests, with stress tests being conducted on aircraft AF-04 at speeds up to 180 knots. On Air Force planes, tailhooks are only used to help the jet stop when landing distance is insufficient or if the jet has a brake malfunction or directional control issue. They are designed as a one-time use device, whereas Navy tailhooks like on the F-35C can deploy, retract and stow...
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/us-sec-def-averse-to-restarting-f-22-production-uae-cleared-to-buy-4000-hellfire-missiles-parts-and-component-swaps-mean-more-delays-for-a400m-033760/

Mark
Ottawa
 
I'm guessing 'one-time use' means per landing evolution (attempt), and having to be reset by technicians before the next flight i.e. not needing to raise and lower the hook multiple times while banging around the CVN's circuit trapping the 3rd wire on multiple landings. :dunno:

:2c:

G2G
 
Curiosity.

How many times have CF18s used their tailhooks to assist landings?
 
Chris Pook said:
Curiosity.

How many times have CF18s used their tailhooks to assist landings?

Routinely at FOBs when we need to keep enough gas to divert in case of problems, which pushes you above a landing weight that would permit you to land without the cable, given runway length, winds, runway surface conditions, etc.

A fair amount at MOBs when we have emergencies.

G2G:  It is a one use, like you said, in the sense that it needs to be reset by ground maintainers.  If you self deploy and take a cable, you will not be able to reset it yourself, at least that's the way F-15s and F-16s hooks work.  It is re-usable after.  Having said that, it is not as robust as what is on a Navy aircraft.
 
SupersonicMax said:
Routinely at FOBs when we need to keep enough gas to divert in case of problems, which pushes you above a landing weight that would permit you to land without the cable, given runway length, winds, runway surface conditions, etc.

A fair amount at MOBs when we have emergencies.

G2G:  It is a one use, like you said, in the sense that it needs to be reset by ground maintainers.  If you self deploy and take a cable, you will not be able to reset it yourself, at least that's the way F-15s and F-16s hooks work.  It is re-usable after.  Having said that, it is not as robust as what is on a Navy aircraft.

Thanks Max.
 
A friend-"interviewer and interviewee achieve balance—a possible first when it comes to the F-35!":

Are we there yet? Analysis of the F-35’s current effectiveness by the Royal United Services Institute’s Justin Bronk
https://hushkit.net/2016/05/18/are-we-there-yet-analysis-of-the-f-35s-current-effectiveness-by-the-royal-united-services-institutes-justin-bronk/

Mark
Ottawa
 
Boeing fights back against Danish evaluation of F-35A over Super Hornet:

...
"We have asked the Danish Ministry of Defence to reassess its evaluation of the cost. We think their report has made the cost of the Super Hornet 50-100 per cent more expensive than in reality," Boeing vice president Debbie Rub told Reuters.

The ministry report evaluating each fighter jet candidate was based on data estimating that the Super Hornet would have a service life of 6,000 flying hours, while Boeing thinks the right figure for Denmark is 9,500 hours.

The report also compared a one-seater fighter jet F35 to a two-seater rather than a one-seater Super Hornet, Debbie Rub told Reuters.

Danish defense minister Peter Christensen told Danish broadcaster TV2 that Boeing's critique would not change the government's recommendation to buy Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The report concluded that the total cost of the F-35 jet is 42.2 billion Danish crowns ($6.4 billion) while the Super Hornet would cost 60.6 billion crowns..."
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-defence-lockheed-idUSKCN0YA23Y

Mark
Ottawa
 
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