some F35 info

[ThomasP]

US and NATO nations doing some ACE (Agile Combat Employment) testing in Finland, during the BAANA 2024 exercise.

"In first, F-35s land on Finnish highway to drill for future wars"

 

[GTX]

Just a cool photo:

 

[pbehn]

Just a cool photo:

View attachment 795971

Is the pot of gold under the F35?

 

[SaparotRob]

Yes but it's only the down payment.

 

[pbehn]

Yes but it's only the down payment.

You mean at the end of the rainbow there is a pot of gold, but if you dig underneath there is a real F35? Dont tell me that there are Spitfires and Fw190s underneath that lot? I am putting a spade in my car just in case.

 

[SaparotRob]

I'm hoping for a Buffalo.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Has a Japanese aircraft carrier ever visited the US? The F-35 is bringing all the white hats together.

Japan’s Largest Warship Headed to California for F-35B Testing - USNI News

Japan’s largest warship, Izumo-class carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184), is headed to California later this year to hold F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter developmental tests off San Diego, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced on Tuesday. In other developments, U.S...

news.usni.org

 

[Greyman]

Italy and Netherlands beefing up their orders.

Italy adding 25 planes for a new total of 115.
Dutch order now 58, up from 52.

Netherlands and Italy Increase F-35 Order - Defense Update:

The Netherlands has announced plans to expand its purchase of F-35 fighter jets, further bolstering its defense capabilities. The new order will raise the total number of F-35s to 58, up from 52. The decision reflects ongoing efforts by the Netherlands to modernize its air force and align with...

defense-update.com

 

[GTX]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88vCjQ8fCb0

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

The Marine Corps recently notched a series of aviation firsts with an advanced drone under development and its newest jet, as the service works toward achieving more nimble and responsive air combat power.

The Corps' XQ-58A Valkyrie drone completed a test flight last week at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, marking the platform's first integration with other military branches, according to a Marine Corps release.

"The flight focused on the use of tactical data links to enable digital communication between the XQ-58A and an airborne four-ship of F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 and other joint aircraft," said Col. Derek Brannon, branch head for the Cunningham Group, deputy commandant for aviation.

Read more: Marines score aviation firsts with F-35 squadron, drone test and more

 

[SaparotRob]

Interesting article. I don't think I've ever seen "exquisite" and "the 'Corps" in the same sentence.

 

[Greyman]

Interesting interview


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-A_aF7lpm4

 

[ThomasP]

Very nice summary of what the F-35 level technology represents, and also probably the most concise description of the potential strategic air warfare operational problems in a serious PTO/PRO conflict.

 

[GTX]

RAAF completes F-35A fleet - Australian Defence Magazine

The Royal Australian Air Force's final three F-35A aircraft landed in Australia on 18 December following a ferry flight from the US.

www.australiandefence.com.au

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5XYSn1YolM

 

[ThomasP]

"Pentagon orders 145 F-35 jets despite Musk's criticism"

 

[SaparotRob]

"Pentagon orders 145 F-35 jets despite Musk's criticism"

I was going to award a "funny" as it looks more like a great big smile to me. This article gave me a big smile.

 

[Glider]

I do wonder if the current political situation could impact future F35 orders and in many ways more importantly any follow on to the F35. The development of the F35 was to some extent assisted by other countries such as the UK and already there are two European projects underway to look at a replacement. Personally I doubt that both of them will go ahead but am pretty confident that one of them will.
If the European countries favour the European project, then that means that the USA alone will fund the development of the USA follow on. The number of aircraft sold will be less due to fewer overseas sales. This in turn will drive up the unit cost to the USA for their purchases. It's worth noting that Saudi Arabia are already looking to get involved in one of the European projects, and they have a lot of cash to offer to help with the development and a near certainty of substantial orders.

An interesting test will be which direction will the UK government go. They are looking at purchasing some additional new aircraft and the choice seems to be between additional F35s, or additional Typhoons. The RAF would prefer more F35, whilst the unions would prefer more Typhoons. The F35 is the more capable aircraft certainly, however, the Typhoon is still better than anything it is likely to face. For a Labour Party government it was always going to be a close decision and the current uncertainty could easily tilt things one way or the other.

The days when the USA had a clear technical lead over the rest of the world are gone. Look at any military field, land, sea or air and there are alternatives, let alone the situation re the civilian aircraft available to potential customers.

I do hope that this isn't seen as a political posting. We are all where we are today and this a thought about where things may go looking forward.

 

[SaparotRob]

I do wonder if the current political situation could impact future F35 orders and in many ways more importantly any follow on to the F35. The development of the F35 was to some extent assisted by other countries such as the UK and already there are two European projects underway to look at a replacement. Personally I doubt that both of them will go ahead but am pretty confident that one of them will.
If the European countries favour the European project, then that means that the USA alone will fund the development of the USA follow on. The number of aircraft sold will be less due to fewer overseas sales. This in turn will drive up the unit cost to the USA for their purchases. It's worth noting that Saudi Arabia are already looking to get involved in one of the European projects, and they have a lot of cash to offer to help with the development and a near certainty of substantial orders.

An interesting test will be which direction will the UK government go. They are looking at purchasing some additional new aircraft and the choice seems to be between additional F35s, or additional Typhoons. The RAF would prefer more F35, whilst the unions would prefer more Typhoons. The F35 is the more capable aircraft certainly, however, the Typhoon is still better than anything it is likely to face. For a Labour Party government it was always going to be a close decision and the current uncertainty could easily tilt things one way or the other.

The days when the USA had a clear technical lead over the rest of the world are gone. Look at any military field, land, sea or air and there are alternatives, let alone the situation re the civilian aircraft available to potential customers.

I do hope that this isn't seen as a political posting. We are all where we are today and this a thought about where things may go looking forward.

 

[GTX]

Trump’s Greenland push puts F-35 program at risk

U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Greenland have created tension with Denmark, a key NATO ally, and raised questions about the future of one of America’s largest defense programs—the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Last week, Trump held a contentious

defence-blog.com

Escalating Trade War Raises Questions Over Canada’s F-35 Future

Canada’s place in the F-35 program is under scrutiny once again, this time due to tit-for-tat tariffs with the United States. Once again, Canada’s place in the F-35 program is under scrutiny, this time due to a growing trade war with the United States.

www.twz.com

 

[Glider]

Trump’s Greenland push puts F-35 program at risk

U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Greenland have created tension with Denmark, a key NATO ally, and raised questions about the future of one of America’s largest defense programs—the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Last week, Trump held a contentious

defence-blog.com

Escalating Trade War Raises Questions Over Canada’s F-35 Future

Canada’s place in the F-35 program is under scrutiny once again, this time due to tit-for-tat tariffs with the United States. Once again, Canada’s place in the F-35 program is under scrutiny, this time due to a growing trade war with the United States.

www.twz.com

Thank you for these.

Re the first - I suspect the USA have a bigger problem than Denmark which could fairly easily switch to one of the European options. If the F35 program in the USA is at risk then the USA don't have any real practical options. The modernised F16/F15 are capable but are still based on a core design approaching 50 years old and any of the three European options are better. That said surely even Elon Musk can see how stupid it would be to can the F35. Words are easy, actions far more difficult.

Re the second, it looks as if I might have underestimated the risk.