It’s no secret that the F-35 has had severe cost and schedule issues but as the programme matures, it’s shaping up to be a very capable platform.
The F-35 programme has gone through serious teething problems, problems also experienced by the majority of complex aircraft flying today such as the F-15, Typhoon or any other modern combat jet. The biggest issue for the project continues to be the fact it is the most expensive military weapons system in history owing to the sheer scope of the programme but that being said, aircraft costs are now coming down and will soon be similar to the cost of many aircraft it’s replacing.
Today the programme is maturing rapidly, right now much of the activity around the jet is dealing with software bugs and testing to validate the software, with most of the physical testing being to do with weapons integration and the gradual scaling up of capabilities that comes with each new software block.
The F-35A and B variants have also been declared operational by US and Israeli forces with the UK following suit at the end of this year. In fact, HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently sailing to the United States to begin trials of the jet from her deck.
At 3:10-12 min’s into the video you can see the effect of the hot exhaust on the deck with a night landing. Although the decks have thermal protection, I wonder how quickly the heat dissipates after several landing, to allow practical use of the area (i.e. the front wheel of the next aircraft, or simple crew walking over the area).
Also useful that the F-35 is running tests on a “ramp-less” vessel, I wonder how long before Japan buys the B version for its Izumo class helicopter “destroyer” (sounds like our through deck cruiser jargon). It would not strain the imagination to visualise the vessel with a bolt on ramp and a new coat of thermal paint.
At 3:10-12 min’s into the video you can see the effect of the hot exhaust on the deck with a night landing. Although the decks have thermal protection, I wonder how quickly the heat dissipates after several landing, to allow practical use of the area (i.e. the front wheel of the next aircraft, or simple crew walking over the area).
Also useful that the F-35 is running tests on a “ramp-less” vessel, I wonder how long before Japan buys the B version for its Izumo class helicopter “destroyer” (sounds like our through deck cruiser jargon). It would not strain the imagination to visualise the vessels with a bolt on ramp and a new coat of thermal paint.
This will upset all the russian trolls ..
Fantastic fighter probably deliver more than expected. sales for this fighter are growing and growing ..Russian attempts to build another cheaper 4th generation fighter are in serious trouble latest news in India the Indian air force want to scrap the future russian fighter .
No doubt TH based over in Moscow will come along any minute now with a trolling comment about little England, living within our means and not trying to be the world’s policeman. Any minute now….
The rest of us meanwhile will salute our armed forces and look forwards with great anticipation of our QE carriers IOC and first deployments.
The package will be quite impressive, possibly 2nd only to US navy. A QE carrier with 24-36 F35Bs, Merlin, chinook helicopters. Crowsnest equipped Merlin’s is a great tailored air group. Then add a couple type 45 destroyers and 2-3 modernised type 23 frigates and some new RFA support ships and that is an impressive carrier battle group.
All of course guarded from below by prowling Astute and Trafalgar class SSNs.
Just brilliant
Exquisite kit, we just need more of it and the personnel to use it all.
I do remember as a kid, the bad press Typhoon received when it was first coming in to service. Most of the press at the time said it wouldn’t work, there was no longer a threat for the aircraft, we should have bought F15s etc etc. Well it may have of taken some time, but look at Typhoon today. The Lightning will be just the same. It’s going to take time to deliver new tactics and weapons integration, but as the crews learn how to use it I’m sure it will develop into a fantastic platform. Yes in time its stealth may become eroded. but today, its ahead of the game. So can’t wait for the first take-off from QE. It will be the dawn of a new era for the UK.