some F35 info

[michaelmaltby]

Surely the term 'Mule' is dismissive ... as we have witnessed and discussed many times on this forum ... Uncle Sam likes to employ both belt and suspenders when it comes to picking AC ... it's part politics and part military indulgences, IMO.

"... would like to say something, but I can't...lol"
Why not? It's never stopped you before ....

 

[buffnut453]

Not dismissive at all...simply reflective of the intended role for such a platform. It's a flying bomb truck that can penetrate hostile airspace. Seems remarkably sensible to me, particularly if the UAV could be adapted for other roles.

 

[michaelmaltby]

... I was being sarcastic .... I agreed with your mule comment

 

[michaelmaltby]

This is a potential F-35 Mule platform ...

 

[buffnut453]

Latest NYT article, clearly with an axe to grind:

Inside America's Dysfunctional Trillion-Dollar Fighter-Jet Program

Contains lots of old news and any credit is given grudgingly or caveated by "if" to suggest that the aircraft isn't actually performing well.

 

[michaelmaltby]

... sad.

 

[GrauGeist]

Classic example of a hit-piece with no other purpose than to stir the pot.

Sadly, in this day age age of rabid journalism, I am not surprised...

 

[michaelmaltby]

Capt. Kristin "Beo" Wolfe, the newly-certified pilot and commander for the F-35A Demonstration Team, after a practice flight at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 2. (Capt. Kip Sumner/Air Force)

 

[jetcal1]

Latest NYT article, clearly with an axe to grind:

Inside America's Dysfunctional Trillion-Dollar Fighter-Jet Program

Contains lots of old news and any credit is given grudgingly or caveated by "if" to suggest that the aircraft isn't actually performing well.

There were and still are some problems. Out of respect for my then employer, I will go so far as to say some the approvals by JAPO for support equipment had to have been made by somebody on some really good psychotropic medicine.

But....the airplane does appear to be in the process of fulfilling its promise. And, that was not obvious even three years ago.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I was out at Hill AFB a few months ago for work. F-35's flying around all day long. I prefer the F-22, but it was impressive to watch the 35's maneuver.

 

[Torch]

Update..The Pentagon has cut the number of serious F-35 technical flaws in half

 

[Lucky13]

USAF abandons 80% mission capability goal after three fighters miss target

 

[XBe02Drvr]

Perhaps there's something to be said for the East Bloc's design tradition, the PQRS factor.
Plentiful
Quick
Rugged
Simple

 

[FLYBOYJ]

USAF abandons 80% mission capability goal after three fighters miss target

This is a numbers game which in the bigger picture is somewhat meaningless, especially when some of the numbers in the article show all 3 aircraft weren't that far off. The size of the operational fleet has to be considered as well. Have three or four jets break in a month with a small size fleet (F-22) and your MC rate could drop by 5 points depending the size of the fleet. MC rates also factor in normal actriction as well any maintenance deviations that cause a pilot to abort the mission. You also don't fly 100% of your fleet unless you're in a wartime situation so that adds to the numbers game. If anything the fact that the F-35 can maintain an MC rate over 70% is noteworthy. I also notice the article talks about the factory deficiencies which are apples and oranges with regards to MC rates.

 

[Glider]

Perhaps there's something to be said for the East Bloc's design tradition, the PQRS factor.
Plentiful
Quick
Rugged
Simple

I think that this applies to other aircraft, not just the Eastern Bloc.

I would argue that part of the success of the C130 Hercules was because it was a simple rugged design, relatively cheap, reliable and did what it said on the tin.

 

[XBe02Drvr]

I would argue that part of the success of the C130 Hercules was because it was a simple rugged design, relatively cheap, reliable and did what it said on the tin.

And it was a product of an earlier and simpler time. It and its sister the Electra kind of dodged the gee-whiz technology rat race, although she and her sibling Orion had their share of mechanical issues, like shedding wings in flight and sucking up starlings.

 

[swampyankee]

I think that this applies to other aircraft, not just the Eastern Bloc.

I would argue that part of the success of the C130 Hercules was because it was a simple rugged design, relatively cheap, reliable and did what it said on the tin.

Possibly because Kelly Johnson wasn't involved in the design

It's interesting how the C-130 has continued in production after some aircraft which were, in some aspects, better have faded into obscurity.

 

[Torch]

USAF F-35A Lightning II from 58th Fighter Squadron Crashes at Eglin AFB, Florida.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

USAF F-35A Lightning II from 58th Fighter Squadron Crashes at Eglin AFB, Florida.

just a few days after losing a F-22.

 

[buffnut453]

The inside story of two supersonic flights that changed how America operates the F-35