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Pretty interesting overview of incoming upgrades:
www.sandboxx.us
The F-35 is getting a $15 billion upgrade that'll make it a whole new beast
The F-35 is getting a massive $15 billion upgrade that will make it a dramatically more capable fighter.
www.sandboxx.us
Token
Senior Airman
It's those taxi speeds at Kadena .... (sorry, don't know how to do a tongue in cheek emoji)
T!
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
I know where I'd rather be and not only for the sound! 
cvairwerks
Senior Airman
Don't recognize the 1st other than its British, and has an early ejection seat. #2 is one of the SDD F-35's.
davparlr
Senior Master Sergeant
Dont like this design. Those touch screens buttons will induce significant error when pulling gs and in turbulence. Also, displays are busyI know where I'd rather be and not only for the sound!
View attachment 714425
View attachment 714426
cvairwerks
Senior Airman
That's not the screen set the pilot would have selected while in flight.
Glider
Captain
Regarding the effectiveness of the F35 in air combat, which has often been criticised by some politicians and areas of the press. This is a summary of an article in Air Forces Monthly.
In March 2023 Russian Su35 aircraft knowingly and deliberately broke the protocols set up to avoid accidents that might escalate around Al-Omar oilfield the US military camps next to the nearby Conoco Gas field. Initially the Su35's approached the area but eventually were making low level passes directly over the camps. They then engaged in dogfights against F16CM block 50's from the 77th EFS flying from Muwaffag Al-Salti air base in Jordan. The support of F22's was requested in May 23rd and this resulted in a cessation of such activity and the F22's left, leaving the F16's to continue.
When the Raptors left the Su35 started making dangerous manoeuvres around USAF aircraft and drones resulting in the USAF flying armed patrols in F35A's from the 421st Black Widows based in Jordan who had six F16's and eight F35's.
Such was the effectiveness of these patrols, that on August 14 the Russian MOD made a formal complaint about the dangerous manoeuvres being carried out by the 421st close to their Su35's. Discussions took place and it was agreed by both parties that things should calm down and the protocols were reinstated from Sept 2023.
For me, the interesting thing is that the F35's didn't use their stealth ability, Their Luneberg radar reflectors were kept in place the entire time so they would have been very visible to the Russian radars but despite this, the F35 was able to get the better of the Su35 which is a very effective fighter.
In March 2023 Russian Su35 aircraft knowingly and deliberately broke the protocols set up to avoid accidents that might escalate around Al-Omar oilfield the US military camps next to the nearby Conoco Gas field. Initially the Su35's approached the area but eventually were making low level passes directly over the camps. They then engaged in dogfights against F16CM block 50's from the 77th EFS flying from Muwaffag Al-Salti air base in Jordan. The support of F22's was requested in May 23rd and this resulted in a cessation of such activity and the F22's left, leaving the F16's to continue.
When the Raptors left the Su35 started making dangerous manoeuvres around USAF aircraft and drones resulting in the USAF flying armed patrols in F35A's from the 421st Black Widows based in Jordan who had six F16's and eight F35's.
Such was the effectiveness of these patrols, that on August 14 the Russian MOD made a formal complaint about the dangerous manoeuvres being carried out by the 421st close to their Su35's. Discussions took place and it was agreed by both parties that things should calm down and the protocols were reinstated from Sept 2023.
For me, the interesting thing is that the F35's didn't use their stealth ability, Their Luneberg radar reflectors were kept in place the entire time so they would have been very visible to the Russian radars but despite this, the F35 was able to get the better of the Su35 which is a very effective fighter.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Funny, I always thought that a stealth aircraft was a stealth aircraft 24/7 and nothing that you can turn on and off. If you can turn it on and off, why do they then build stealth aircraft they way that they do, if its just down to electronics (which you apparently can turn on and off), why don't they then fit them to a C-130 Hercules and similar aircraft, if its down to electronics then they should be able to make a brick go stealth....
What am I missing here, because obviously I am missing something as I'm no fan of modern aviation....
Glider
Captain
The reflectors are installed on the external parts of the aircraft. I don't believe they are deployed during the mission, you put them on before you take off. The object it twofold: -Funny, I always thought that a stealth aircraft was a stealth aircraft 24/7 and nothing that you can turn on and off. If you can turn it on and off, why do they then build stealth aircraft they way that they do, if its just down to electronics (which you apparently can turn on and off), why don't they then fit them to a C-130 Hercules and similar aircraft, if its down to electronics then they should be able to make a brick go stealth....
What am I missing here, because obviously I am missing something as I'm no fan of modern aviation....
a) they significantly increase the radar cross section making you more visible
b) as a result of this the opponent doesn't know your radar characteristics
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
cvairwerks
Senior Airman
Without getting anywhere close to any of the classified part of stealth, most people don't understand that it's a package of technologies that make the object have stealth capabilities. It requires careful structural design, fabrication, coatings, material selection, electronics selection, EMI control and weapons selection and integration to give an aircraft it's stealth capability. Detection of aircraft with current stealth levels is a whole 'nuther discussion.
special ed
1st Sergeant
- 4,857
- May 13, 2018
Air traffic control people have to have a radar signature to integrate F-35s into airport traffic.
Thumpalumpacus
Captain
Funny, I always thought that a stealth aircraft was a stealth aircraft 24/7 and nothing that you can turn on and off. If you can turn it on and off, why do they then build stealth aircraft they way that they do, if its just down to electronics (which you apparently can turn on and off), why don't they then fit them to a C-130 Hercules and similar aircraft, if its down to electronics then they should be able to make a brick go stealth....
What am I missing here, because obviously I am missing something as I'm no fan of modern aviation....
Stealth aircraft operating in domestic or international airspace still need to be tracked for reasons of safety. The stealth properties of an airframe are only one component of stealth. Electronics and thermal regulation are others. A stealth platform can dramatically reduce its stealthiness simply by lowering the landing gear.
As noted above, panels can be added/deleted or extended/retracted to modify the airframe's radar reflection.
Thumpalumpacus
Captain
1,000 Fighters and Counting: How Many F-35s Will Lockheed Martin Build?
Despite setbacks related to ongoing hardware and software upgrades, Lockheed Martin recently completed production on the 1,000th F-35 Lightning II, solidifying its position as the most successful stealth aircraft production line in the history of aviation. In fact, there are more F-35s flying...
nationalinterest.org
The 1,000th F-35 Has Been Built
Delays with a key upgrade program mean Lockheed Martin has yet to deliver the 1,000th F-35 and others to their customers.
www.thedrive.com
Glider
Captain
It shows how far Russia is in the technology race. 1,000 plus stealth aircraft in service/production and decades of service experience. Now we have at least three credible 6th Generation projects underway with first flight / service dates around 12 years from now.
Russia has at best a handful of aircraft that are going nowhere from a project that India walked away from.
China is clearly a bigger threat but even here they are concentrating on copying Western developments. The pace of change is almost scary.
Russia has at best a handful of aircraft that are going nowhere from a project that India walked away from.
China is clearly a bigger threat but even here they are concentrating on copying Western developments. The pace of change is almost scary.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Don't forget that India has up and coming 5th gen. stealth fighter projects, too.
