F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

[seaspear]

The f35 was recently confirmed in tests off Hawaii to have been able to detect ballistic missile launches using airborne targeting and tracking with its distributed aperture sensor , a report suggests this would lead to earlier countering of these attacks with the sm6 , would the same be of ships using Aster 30 by the f35b

[RetroSicotte]

The f35 was recently confirmed in tests off Hawaii to have been able to detect ballistic missile launches using airborne targeting and tracking with its distributed aperture sensor , a report suggests this would lead to earlier countering of these attacks with the sm6 , would the same be of ships using Aster 30 by the f35b

Not quite the same. What they did with SM-6 requires CEC, which Type 45 does not possess.

Being anble to at least spot and verbally communicate is still useful, mind.

[Ron5]

F35 doesn't use CEC, it uses MADL.

[SKB]

[Smokey]

Air to air refuelling with the engine in full reheat and STOVL mode.

What throughput does the pump system have to maintain in order to achieve an effective fill and at how many bars of pressure?

[Gabriele]

Well known Photoshop work. Was surprised to see someone from the RAF tweet that dumb image, of all things. Either he wanted to troll, or...

[shark bait]

emptying quicker than its filling up

[Lord Jim]

Sort of like drinking a pint whist pissing in the Gents.

[sunstersun]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-seek ... 54?tesla=y

This is the first time I've seen mention of a new carrier for Japan? WSJ is pretty reputable.

at least 40 F-35B's are coming in for their destroyers and island ops. If they order a carrier, don't be surprised if another 40 comes in.

$$$ for the British industry who produces 30% of the specific B model.

[sunstersun]

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/2 ... t_uk_345m/

345million pounds or 485 million dollars for block 4.

[abc123]

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/2 ... t_uk_345m/

345million pounds or 485 million dollars for block 4.

That's for how many aircrafts?

[Lord Jim]

Those aircraft already delivered.

[Gabriele]

In reality, i'd pay little attention to that article. Calculating the 4.5% amount of the figures given by the americans is probably pretty accurate for the Development part, but the cost of retrofit kits and embodiment into production cannot yet be calculated with any degree of accuracy. Upgrading early lots costs more than later lots. This is valid for passage from 2B to 3F, and in some degree will be valid from the future upgrades as well. The value for "retrofit kits" estimated by the americans is not a useful value until we know at least how many kits it includes. The british kit will also include some extra cost for british-specific insertions.

[Ron5]

What British specific insertions?

[Lord Jim]

Probably ASRAMM and other ordonnance the UK uses but the US doesn't and the software needed to operate them. They will have ot make sure the Block 4 update includes these requirements and maintains compatibility down the line.

[NickC]

In early March various articles on web about LM production quality lapses , ~ half of all defects on the aircraft ex-factory relate to the a/c low observability stealth features :-

Panels not perfectly aligned
Scratches on the LO coating
Not all of a/c is robotically sprayed, when the mechanics spray the airplane with LO coating resulting in overspray
Drilling holes that are too big
Installing a dinged part,
No primer applied in certain fastener holes

LM states its approaching the limits of ability to build a/c with precise enough technology.

When F-35 a/c is in front line service in the hurly burly of intensive operations and the a/c will subject to many of the above defects, its stealth low observability will degrade, may be seriously, though have seen no numbers so leaves the question is stealth just a pipe dream and will not be the vaunted game changer.

The earlier generation stealth B-2 bomber is called the ultimate hangar queen due to the extreme cost/hours required to maintain its stealth features in working order.

[Jdam]

The Block 4 software upgrade is a bit vague, wasn't block 4 split into different variations? Does that mean its £345 million for block 4.1? or doesn't it cover all 4 parts of block 4 (4.1 to 4.4)?

What are our plans for block 4 anyway, I seem to remember both Meteor and Spear 3 being planned for it, will Meteor be ready for the block 4 timeframes? Has Spear 3 reach the point where it will be ready for integration onto the aircraft? Considering our recent history of integrating weapons we build into non UK platforms I'm a little bit unconfident

[Gabriele]

Block 4 is still made up of successive releases of software and then also hardware. Auto- ground collision avoidance will be one of the first additions. Advanced EOTS will probably follow. TR3 processor and memory banks; the new cockpit display by Elbit and mew DAS cameras by Raytheon around 2023. Plus weapon Integration, for the UK centered on Meteor, Spear 3 and the new bunker buster head for PWIV to replace PWIII, which will go out together with Tornado. Development is for all the releases planned out yo 2025.

[Gabriele]

Block 4 is still made up of successive releases of software and then also hardware. Auto- ground collision avoidance will be one of the first additions. Advanced EOTS will probably follow. TR3 processor and memory banks; the new cockpit display by Elbit and mew DAS cameras by Raytheon around 2023. Plus weapon Integration, for the UK centered on Meteor, Spear 3 and the new bunker buster head for PWIV to replace PWIII, which will go out together with Tornado. Development is for all the releases planned out yo 2025.

[abc123]

Those aircraft already delivered.

So, just for first 14? Not 48?

[NickC]

Understand that due to the continuing slippages in Block 3F/4/5 updates, and in future so as avoid bad press will not be tied down to any firm dates/milestones the JPO will now call it Continuous Capability Development and Delivery, C2D2 .

The Pentagon estimates it will cost nearly $16.2 billion to modernise the F-35 fleet through to 2024, split between $10.8 billion for software development and $5.4 billion for deploying the updates and other procurement in support of the modernisation efforts.

[Lord Jim]

The whole programme has entered a null phase where it cannot officially move to the next stage as the aircraft does not meet the service requirements, but it cannot be seen not to move forward so we have this C2D2 title whist they desperately try to get things properly on track. It will get there, but it is a simple case of trying to get a platform into service whist it is really still under development so doing both simultaneously. Never really works out, and costs more.

[sunstersun]

https://cdn.cnn.com/cnn/.e/interactive/ ... 5B_jet.mp4

crazy how short that is.

[Little J]

What was that, 3 helicopter spots? Impressive*





*Depending on the fuel/weapons load of course.

[Ron5]

I believe that the UK F-35B's have exactly the same software as the US. there are no parts that are broken out or added.