Head of F-35 programme fired by Pentagon

FLYBOYJ · Feb 13, 2010

Matt308 said:
It suprised me to read that due to weight issues, the F-35 was design as a 7g airframe.

I do know that during the X-35 program, everything was done to keep weight down. I'm wondering it that is still the same for the marine version of the aircraft. 7gs is still pretty hefty.

red admiral · Feb 13, 2010

Matt308 said:
It suprised me to read that due to weight issues, the F-35 was design as a 7g airframe.

CTOL is still at 9g, whilst STOVL is lower due to the weight issues, and CV is lower due to the larger wing. Is the lower g limit a particular problem? Not really, as if the fight progresses to WVR there are far more pressing problems for the F-35.

Matt308 · Feb 13, 2010

Perhaps not, but from what I have gleaned all the airframes are common and thus based upon STOVL version with lift fan compartment and mid-section engine. I am under the impression that they all are 7g airframes.

red admiral · Feb 14, 2010

Matt308 said:
Perhaps not, but from what I have gleaned all the airframes are common and thus based upon STOVL version with lift fan compartment and mid-section engine. I am under the impression that they all are 7g airframes.

Maybe, but I don't think so based on what numbers are available. I'm not quite sure how much commonality there actually is between the STOVL and CTOL, the fuselage is really quite different. It's especially evident from head on.

Matt308 · Feb 14, 2010

I wasn't referring to planform. Rather commonality with structural components. If CTOL is 9g airframe, great.

Waynos · Feb 15, 2010

As I understand it, the centre section of the fuselage in the F-35A and C are common, the F-35B is entirely different and features a different canopy shape with reduced rear vision and a shorter internal weapons bay to accomodate the lift fan between them, this also means that, out of necessity, the structure is also very different in this area, the fusealge contours in this area are also wider and slightly draggier than the other two versions.

The A is a 9g fighter as it will be replacing the F-16, another 9g fighter, and it will compete with other 9g fighters like the Typhoon, Gripen, Rafale etc etc.

The other models are 7g, they are also quite a lot heavier.

Matt308 · Feb 15, 2010

Waynos · Feb 15, 2010

Thanks Matt. That middle row showing structure seems to match what I was saying about the centre section, though there seems to be less commonality between the three models overall than I thought

Trebor · Feb 15, 2010

I do hope this program pulls out. cos the F-22, I hear is starting to be phased out. and this bird has never seen combat.

FLYBOYJ · Feb 15, 2010

Trebor said:
I do hope this program pulls out. cos the F-22, I hear is starting to be phased out. and this bird has never seen combat.

Errr, I don't know where you got that idea but the F-22 will be the real replacement for the F-15. They haven't finished the last batch of F-22s as we speak. The only thing that has gone down on the F-22 was the length of the program. The Obama Administration cut the total production numbers down by about 15 or 20 aircraft.

Waynos · Feb 15, 2010

Trebor said:
I do hope this program pulls out. cos the F-22, I hear is starting to be phased out. and this bird has never seen combat.

I think this post has been zapped back in time from the year 2047 by freak atmospheric conditions and it ius really referring to the USAF's autonomous unmanned and fully AI controlled F-48A Phantom III

FLYBOYJ · Feb 15, 2010

Waynos said:
I think this post has been zapped back in time from the year 2047 by freak atmospheric conditions and it ius really referring to the USAF's autonomous unmanned and fully AI controlled F-48A Phantom III

Trebor · Feb 15, 2010

FLYBOYJ said:
Errr, I don't know where you got that idea but the F-22 will be the real replacement for the F-15. They haven't finished the last batch of F-22s as we speak. The only thing that has gone down on the F-22 was the length of the program. The Obama Administration cut the total production numbers down by about 15 or 20 aircraft.

I dunno, i just heard somewhere. lol I mean the aircraft's first flight was in 1990. about 20 years ago.

Waynos · Feb 15, 2010

Thats the price of progress Trebor. I remember whining like a bitch that the Tornado was just entering service in 1982 when it had flown eight years earlier in 1974! Seems quite speedy by current standards

evangilder · Feb 15, 2010

Trebor said:
I dunno, i just heard somewhere. lol I mean the aircraft's first flight was in 1990. about 20 years ago.

The maiden flight was in 1990. The first flight by the USAF was not until 1997. It's not unusual for there to be quite a time frame between maiden flights and official military flights.

Matt308 · Feb 15, 2010

Waynos said:
Thanks Matt. That middle row showing structure seems to match what I was saying about the centre section, though there seems to be less commonality between the three models overall than I thought

Yeah the wing spar structure seems to be mostly common for all airframes. The CTOL/CV has the unigue gun platform not included in the STOVL. But they all have the common mid-section mounted engine. That STOVL C-of-G requirement, I would think, would be limiting for the other airframes.

Having said that, it is amazing that without moving the engine further to the rear for CTOL/CV that they are able to get 2 to 2.5 times the range of existing F-16/F-18C airplanes.

Head of F-35 programme fired by Pentagon

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