PAF Falcons Forums

Turkey says F-35 project share exceeds $7 bln

The Turkish defense minister said on Wednesday that Turkey's share in F-35 joint strike fighter project exceeded 7 billion USD.

The Turkish defense minister said on Wednesday that Turkey's share in F-35 joint strike fighter project exceeded 7 billion USD.

Turkey's National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said Turkish industry had over 7 billion USD share in joint strike fighter F-35 project.

"If the fact that we will pay 10-11 billion USD to the project is taken into account, we have already achieved 50 percent of our goal," Gonul said during aviation and engine manufacturing facility groundbreaking ceremony in the central province of Eskisehir.

Gonul said the facility will manufacture engines of F-35 fighter under an agreement signed with Pratt & Whitney during the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2009 Fair.

Around 200 full time staff will be employed during mass production of F-35 engines in the facility.

Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=53949

Pentagon confirms 1-year delay for JSF

Pentagon officials on Feb. 16 confirmed Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn’s announcement one day prior that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will be delayed by about one year.

The Pentagon’s No. 2 official said this week that the jet’s development schedule would slip between 12 months and 13 months despite an aggressive restructuring of the program that was announced earlier this month.

“The development was originally projected to last an additional 30 months; we think with the additional test aircraft it will be closer to a delay of about 12 or 13 months, but I can’t give you the cost numbers,” The Australian newspaper quoted Lynn as saying during a speech at a shipyard in South Australia. He did not say if this would affect the delivery timeline for the JSF.

The delay is a result of the integration of additional test aircraft that were mandated under the restructuring, which also extended system development and design until 2015, according to a Pentagon official.

“That is a true statement, the driver on this is the test aircraft,” the official said Feb. 16. “The driver on this whole thing, about a year, is due to the additional test aircraft.”

Like Lynn, the official would not comment on how this will affect the delivery schedule for the plane. The Marine Corps is set to get its first F-35s in 2012, with the Air Force and Navy scheduled to receive their jets in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

On Feb. 1, Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed’s vice president for F-35 business development, told reporters that while the jet’s flight tests are roughly six months behind schedule, the company will deliver the plane in time to meet the Marine Corps’ initial operating capability date of 2012.

“I think you’ll see that we’re going to deliver all the SDD jets by the end of this year and get them in flight test,” O’Bryan said.

Under the Pentagon’s restructuring that was announced Feb. 1, Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered an additional test jet and $2.8 billion be put into the extended F-35 SDD, withheld more than $600 million in performance fees from Lockheed, cut planes from F-35 acquisition coffers and fired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Heinz, the Pentagon’s F-35 program manager.

The Defense Department is requesting $10.7 billion in its 2011 budget to continue development on the F-35 and purchase 43 of the planes.

Link: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/20 ... y_021610w/

Lockheed Martin F-35 Poised to be Backbone of USAF Fighter Fleet

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Air Force officially becomes the first F-35 Lightning II customer later this year, when the first of the stealth fighters is delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The delivery will initiate a massive recapitalization of the Air Force's multi-role fighter fleet, and will usher in profound increases in capability, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) executive said Friday.

"The first two production F-35s are in final assembly at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth plant, and the training wing at Eglin is primed to receive them and get their pilots in the seats," said Steve O'Bryan, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 Business Development and Customer Engagement. "The Air Force is by far the biggest F-35 customer, and the fact that the largest and most powerful air force in the world is staking its future on the capabilities of this aircraft speaks volumes." The Air Force plans to operate 1,763 F-35As, which along with the F-22, ultimately will replace all of the Air Force's current fighter fleet.

"The F-35 will be flown by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as our closest allies. This means that the USAF and the rest of the world's great air forces will be flying the F-35 together in the future," O'Bryan said. "The F-35 provides 'best value' in a package that not only deters hostilities but enhances interoperability."

Speaking Friday at the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposiumat the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, O'Bryan pointed to the pillars of the F-35 program – affordability, survivability, lethality and supportability – and highlighted the F-35's value proposition. "As a 5th generation fighter, the F-35 is redefining the term 'multirole fighter' combining unprecedented situational awareness, net-enabled systems, sensor fusion, advanced sustainment, stealth and fighter performance in an affordable and supportable package."

With more than 150 test flights completed, all systems operating in F-35 aircraft, other surrogate test aircraft and laboratories, and 35 aircraft in assembly, the program is demonstrating steady progress toward meeting its commitments to the U.S. Air Force. Last November, AF-1, the first optimized conventional takeoff and landing variant (CTOL) aircraft, celebrated its initial flight, piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot David "Doc" Nelson.

Of particular interest to the Air Force, the CTOL variant establishes new levels of operational availability. With simplicity and ease of maintenance designed in, the aircraft has unprecedented reliability and maintainability requirements, along with a reduced deployment footprint. The F-35A will provide unequaled multimission capability with a fraction of the support required by legacy fighters.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases ... 84967.html

4-year plan calls for fewer JSFs, more mobility
February 21, 2010

By Bruce Rolfsen

The Air Force has its marching orders.

Every four years, Congress requires the Defense Department to map out where the services will head in the coming four years.

For the Air Force, the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review gives the OK to ideas that have support but no money to make them happen — more trainers for foreign militaries and new light-attack and light-airlift planes.

But the QDR, released Feb. 1, also lacks details and ignores some missions entirely. For generals and politicians, there’s plenty of room to make their cases about the best road forward.
What’s there

More trainers: Thousands of airmen – no number is specified — will be assigned to deploy and work with foreign air forces.

A close partnership: Greater integration of Air Force and Navy missions is called for in a program labeled the “joint air-sea battle concept.” Besides cooperation at the tactical level, the QDR envisions a joint approach to deciding which aircraft and missiles can best perform long-range strike.

Shrinking fighters: The QDR lays out a fleet of 1,224 “primary aircraft” for the Air Force. The total is 539 fewer planes than the 1,763 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters that the Air Force wants to buy in the next 20 years. Air Force officials refused to discuss the difference until after they brief lawmakers on their portion of the QDR, starting the week of Feb. 7.

Greater mobility: A force of 1,056 tankers and airlifters is the QDR goal. The Air Force would still get only the 223 C-17s it already has on order but would pick up an unspecified number of small C-27 cargo planes. Defense Secretary Robert Gates hasn’t been shy about stopping production of the C-17. He dropped it from the 2010 defense budget; Congress put it back in.

More ISR: Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance — three missions that the Air Force has repeatedly said it is expanding. The QDR puts weight behind the words: 380 remote-controlled and manned surveillance planes and 65 round-the-clock patrols by 2015. The Air Force now has about 190 remote-controlled reconnaissance planes and flies 39 patrols.

Better surveillance: Today’s remote-controlled planes lack the stealth and speed to avoid advanced missile defenses. The QDR calls for surveillance aircraft able to fly in heavily defended airspace.

New gunships: The number of AC-130 gunships grows by eight, to 33. Starting in 2012, the service and U.S. Special Operations Command will convert 16 C-130Js into AC-130s, allowing the Air Force to retire eight AC-130Hs.
What’s missing

Specifics: The QDR is long on big ideas but short on details. For example, no mention is made of when a long-range bomber should be operational or how many airmen should be in uniform.

CSAR’s future: When Gates killed the Air Force’s new combat search-and-rescue helicopter program in 2009, he promised a departmentwide review of the CSAR mission. The word “rescuer” doesn’t appear in the QDR.

Operational tempo: The QDR promises to reduce operational tempo so that troops gone for a year have at least two years at home before deploying. But the review offers no deadlines or instructions for how the services should reach that goal.

The “4.5 generation fighter”: Air National Guard advocates pushed the Pentagon to consider buying upgraded versions of the F-16 and F-15E instead of only the F-35. There’s no mention of pursuing the latest versions of the nonstealthy fighters.

Electronic warfare fighters: The Air Force isn’t getting its own tactical electronic warfare protection. It will continue to depend on its own planes equipped with jamming pods or on Marine Corps and Navy jets.

The Air Force’s cyberspace role: While the study trumpets plans for a joint cyber command, there are no specifics on how each service fits into the master plan.

Link: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/ ... r_022110w/

33rd FW 'measures' up with milestone
February 26, 2010

by Ashley M. Wright

The 33rd Fighter Wing marked another milestone as pilots received measurements for the first F-35 pilot equipment on February 25.

"The wing continues to work towards establishing the first DoD training center for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter," said Marine Col. Arthur Tomassetti, 33rd FW commander. "While measuring an individual for flight equipment might seem like a small step, every step brings us closer to being able to commence training here at Eglin. The level of sophistication and technology on the new equipment is indicative of the advancement this new weapons system provides our Marines, Sailors and Airmen."

The new pilot equipment includes everything from underwear to cold weather outer gear to anti-G garments. RFD Beaufort, Lockheed Martin sub-contractor making the new equipment, took controlled measurements down to the millimeter to ensure comfort, safety and the pilot's capability to complete the mission in any scenario. Some of the equipment used by the first F-35 pilots will be based on legacy gear found on previous fighter aircraft.

"A lot of the engineering has improved since the legacy equipment," said Maj. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations. "It is a great step forward with the next generation of aircraft."

Major Smith, who has flown A-10s and F-16s, said receiving measurements for the F-35 was much more detailed than previous experiences.

"This seems a lot more science based as they are taking a lot more measurements," the 15-year Air Force veteran said. "With legacy equipment, all they do is ask for height and weight."

In total, a normal F-35 pilot training at Eglin on a summer day will wear flame retardant underwear, socks, a cooling garment, flight suit, anti-exposure suit trimmed to the individual pilot and waistcoats with pouches of drinking water, according to a RFD Beaufort representative. The complete gear with weapons will be about 30 pounds.

The extra efforts ensure a proper fit in case of an ejection by the pilot. Snagging pieces of clothing at top speeds during ejections could be detrimental to the pilots live. Another safety measure is making every article of clothing flame resistant. The clothing is tested at 1,000 degrees Celsius for four seconds. Upgraded legacy flight suits now feature new arm restraints to prevent the pilot's arms from flaying in the event of an ejection, said Graham Robertson, JSF trials and integrated logistics manager for RFD Beaufort.

"If this equipment had been around in the past, we would have had a lot of pilots saved," he added.

The three pilots measured for the first pilot gear represented each military branch that will be at the first Department of Defense Joint Strike Fighter training center.

"It is an improvement to legacy equipment," said Marine Maj. Tyler Bardo, 501 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron aircraft maintenance officer. "It looks a little different; it looks more comfortable."

The pilots expressed their excitement for the new equipment and the technology that comes with it.

"The technology is a great leap," said Navy Capt. Mike Saunders, 33rd FW Operations Group deputy commander. "I think the biggest thing is the helmet. I actually tried it on for the first time today. It looks big and gargantuan, but it is really well-balanced."

Fitting the helmet is an entirely different process where laser scanners will map the pilots' head, said the VSI representative. VSI is the Lockheed Martin sub-contractor working on the F-35 helmet.

The helmet features cameras equipped with night vision and a display system capable of projecting information such as airspeed onto the pilot's visor, according to a recent "Airman" magazine article. The helmet is made of carbon fiber and Kevlar.

The mission of the 33rd FW is to train Air Force, Marine, Navy and international partner operators and maintainers of the F-35 Lightning II.

Link: http://f-16.net/news_article4008.html

Air Force: JSF delayed by two years
March 3, 2010

by Anne Flaherty

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said Tuesday that the service’s plan to use the Pentagon’s marquee fighter jet, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, will probably be delayed by two years and cost significantly more than initially expected.

Donley told reporters the F-35 isn't likely to be ready for the Air Force until 2015.

The jet had been scheduled to become initially operational in 2013 before the Pentagon uncovered serious problems with the contract. Last month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that at least one senior manager would be fired and $614 million in performance bonuses would be withheld from lead contractor Lockheed Martin Corporation.

"We remain fully committed to this program," Donley said.

But waiting until late in the 2015 budget year for the jet to reach a milestone known as initial operating capability is "the best estimate today on where we'll be," he added.

The delay suggests the program's problems were perhaps deeper than officials expected. When Gates discussed the program last month, he said he thought the early production milestone would remain intact.

Donley said that when Gates made his remarks, the service was still working through detailed reviews of the program.

He said problems are being addressed. "We want to hold the contractors feet to the fire," he said. "We want to incentivize them to make good on the promises they made earlier and deliver on schedule."

Link: http://f-16.net/news_article4011.html

F-35B does 40-knot flight and four slow landings in one day
March 11, 2010

by Bjørnar Bolsøy

It was a good day of flying at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, as two F-35B jets took to the skies no less than six times on Wednesday, March 10.

Marking its 40th flight BF-1, the first STOVL jet, accomplished four takeoffs, three hot pit refuelings and four slow landings - paving the way for vertical landing. Piloted by lead STOVL pilot Graham Tomlinson, the jet was airborne at 11:01 a.m. ET and completed pattern work at 110 and 100 knots before making a 110-knot slow landing. BF-1 then taxied to the hot pit area and refueled, and was airborne again at 12:07 p.m. where it accomplished pattern work at 80 knots before making a 90-knot slow landing. The jet completed another hot pit refueling and was airborne at 1:03 p.m., performing pattern work at 60 knots before a 70-knot slow landing. After a final refueling, BF-1 was airborne at 2:02 p.m. and accomplished pattern work at 60, 50 and 40 knots before a slow landing at 75 knots groundspeed. The total flight time was 1.4 hours. It officially counts as one test flight as the engine was not shut down between landings.

Topping it up for the day BF-3, the third F-35B jet, flew twice completing 10 uptempo sorties since its maiden flight just five weeks ago. Royal Air Force Sqd. Ldr. Steve Long flew BF-3 for a one hour flight followed by a 1.2 hour sortie by the program's latest pilot addition, U.S. Marine Corps pilot Lt. Col Fred Schenk. Schenk is also the second USMC pilot to have flown the F-35.

Link: http://f-16.net/news_article4027.html