F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
GAO: Software Delays Could Jeopardize F-35 Timeline
WASHINGTON — Software testing delays could slow achievement of operational capability for the F-35 joint strike fighter, according to a new report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“Since the F-35 program restructuring was completed in March 2012, acquisition cost and schedule estimates have remained relatively stable, and the program has made progress in key areas,” GAO inspectors concluded. “However, persistent software problems have slowed progress in mission systems flight testing, which is critical to delivering the warfighting capabilities expected by the military services. These persistent delays put the program’s development cost and schedule at risk.”
The GAO’s report touches on concerns raised by the US Defense Department’s Office of Test and Evaluation in its annual report. It warned that deployment of the F-35B, the jump-jet variant built for the US Marine Corps, could be delayed by up to 13 months if software development does not stay on track.
The Marine Corps intends to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) with the Block 2B software in July 2015; the US Air Force is scheduled to follow with its F-35A by December 2016 with Block 3I, which is essentially the same software on more powerful hardware. The US Navy intends to go operational with the F-35C sometime between August 2018 and February 2019, on the Block 3F software.
“[I]f software testing continues to be delayed, if funding falls short of expectations, or if unit cost targets cannot be met, DoD may have to make decisions about whether to proceed with production as planned with less capable aircraft or to alter the production rate,” inspectors wrote.
The report concludes that the secretary of defense should assess the “specific capabilities that realistically can be delivered” for the planes by their respective IOC dates, something with which the F-35 joint program office agreed............
WASHINGTON — Software testing delays could slow achievement of operational capability for the F-35 joint strike fighter, according to a new report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“Since the F-35 program restructuring was completed in March 2012, acquisition cost and schedule estimates have remained relatively stable, and the program has made progress in key areas,” GAO inspectors concluded. “However, persistent software problems have slowed progress in mission systems flight testing, which is critical to delivering the warfighting capabilities expected by the military services. These persistent delays put the program’s development cost and schedule at risk.”
The GAO’s report touches on concerns raised by the US Defense Department’s Office of Test and Evaluation in its annual report. It warned that deployment of the F-35B, the jump-jet variant built for the US Marine Corps, could be delayed by up to 13 months if software development does not stay on track.
The Marine Corps intends to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) with the Block 2B software in July 2015; the US Air Force is scheduled to follow with its F-35A by December 2016 with Block 3I, which is essentially the same software on more powerful hardware. The US Navy intends to go operational with the F-35C sometime between August 2018 and February 2019, on the Block 3F software.
“[I]f software testing continues to be delayed, if funding falls short of expectations, or if unit cost targets cannot be met, DoD may have to make decisions about whether to proceed with production as planned with less capable aircraft or to alter the production rate,” inspectors wrote.
The report concludes that the secretary of defense should assess the “specific capabilities that realistically can be delivered” for the planes by their respective IOC dates, something with which the F-35 joint program office agreed............
Already falling off the schedule published at the end of last May. Way to go there Sparky.
Plus, when did Venlet start talking about operating costs? Three years ago...
Meet The New Boss, Not The Same As The Old Boss
Then Bogdan threatened to compete support (which could be vastly lucrative, high-margin work)...
The New Sheriff Ain't Happy
So what's been accomplished? Not a lot on the competition side, and the priority, unfortunately but inevitably, is to fix an unreliable jet and a hard-broke automated diagnostics and logistical system.
Plus, when did Venlet start talking about operating costs? Three years ago...
Meet The New Boss, Not The Same As The Old Boss
Then Bogdan threatened to compete support (which could be vastly lucrative, high-margin work)...
The New Sheriff Ain't Happy
So what's been accomplished? Not a lot on the competition side, and the priority, unfortunately but inevitably, is to fix an unreliable jet and a hard-broke automated diagnostics and logistical system.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Exclusive - U.S. set to approve international debut of F-35 fighter
(Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department is poised to approve the first trans-Atlantic flight of Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jet in July, when the new warplane is expected to take part in two international air shows near London, according to multiple sources familiar with the issue.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is "very close" to a decision that would allow two or three F-35s to fly at two British shows, three sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said Tuesday. The shows are the Royal International Air Tattoo, or RIAT, an annual military air show outside London, and the Farnborough air show, held every other year..........
Britain, which contributed $2 billion (1.2 billion pounds) to the development of the new radar-evading fighter jet and plans to buy 138 F-35s in coming years, asked for the jet's participation to help showcase the increasing maturity of the new radar-evading plane. Britain was also the first international partner on the program.
Details of the F-35's international debut are being worked out, including how much it will cost to fly the planes to London and who will pay for it, but no issues have emerged to prevent the appearances, the sources said. The costs will likely be shared by Britain, the Pentagon's F-35 program office, the U.S. Marine Corps and industry.
The Pentagon's F-35 program office said it was evaluating the logistical, security and safety aspects of Britain's request for the jet's participation in both air shows and expected to make a recommendation to senior Pentagon leaders shortly.
Lockheed and Britain's Ministry of Defence declined comment.......
(Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department is poised to approve the first trans-Atlantic flight of Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jet in July, when the new warplane is expected to take part in two international air shows near London, according to multiple sources familiar with the issue.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is "very close" to a decision that would allow two or three F-35s to fly at two British shows, three sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said Tuesday. The shows are the Royal International Air Tattoo, or RIAT, an annual military air show outside London, and the Farnborough air show, held every other year..........
Britain, which contributed $2 billion (1.2 billion pounds) to the development of the new radar-evading fighter jet and plans to buy 138 F-35s in coming years, asked for the jet's participation to help showcase the increasing maturity of the new radar-evading plane. Britain was also the first international partner on the program.
Details of the F-35's international debut are being worked out, including how much it will cost to fly the planes to London and who will pay for it, but no issues have emerged to prevent the appearances, the sources said. The costs will likely be shared by Britain, the Pentagon's F-35 program office, the U.S. Marine Corps and industry.
The Pentagon's F-35 program office said it was evaluating the logistical, security and safety aspects of Britain's request for the jet's participation in both air shows and expected to make a recommendation to senior Pentagon leaders shortly.
Lockheed and Britain's Ministry of Defence declined comment.......
For a plane that is allegedly cancelled, they sure seem to be going into production.
Is the title to this thread now completely overcome by events?
Is the title to this thread now completely overcome by events?
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F35 "unaffordable"
F-35 Joint Strike Fighters: Australia's biggest Defence acquisition 'unaffordable', US congressional committee hears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Reliability seems to be an issue
F-35 Joint Strike Fighters: Australia's biggest Defence acquisition 'unaffordable', US congressional committee hears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Reliability seems to be an issue
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Canada: No F-35 Buys Before 2018
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Canada has told the US government it won’t be in a position to purchase the F-35 fighter jet until 2018, a move that critics of the aircraft say intentionally delays the controversial procurement until after the next federal election.
The decision has a number of ramifications. It will allow the ruling Conservative Party government to claim during the 2015 election campaign that no decision has yet been made on the purchase of a new fighter jet. But if the Conservatives are defeated in that election, set for October 2015, it could mean further delays or even a cancellation of the proposed buy, since the country’s other political parties have raised concerns about the acquisition. Both the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party favor an open competition for a new fighter jet.
The F-35 Joint Program Office in the US has amended the Canadian “buy profile,” which indicates numbers of aircraft and timelines of the purchase. “This moves the notional date of first delivery of aircraft from 2017 to 2018,” the Canadian government noted in a statement. No official reason was provided by Canada for the change in dates.
But industry, military and government officials say the change means a final decision won’t need to be made until after 2015.
“This whole thing is designed to delay and to get the Conservatives past the next election so they don’t have to come clean with Canadians about their F-35 plans,” Liberal Party defense critic Joyce Murray said. Her analysis was echoed by Jack Harris, defense critic with the official opposition New Democratic Party, as well as Alan Williams, the Department of National Defence’s former head of procurement who approved Canada’s participation in the F-35 program..........
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Canada has told the US government it won’t be in a position to purchase the F-35 fighter jet until 2018, a move that critics of the aircraft say intentionally delays the controversial procurement until after the next federal election.
The decision has a number of ramifications. It will allow the ruling Conservative Party government to claim during the 2015 election campaign that no decision has yet been made on the purchase of a new fighter jet. But if the Conservatives are defeated in that election, set for October 2015, it could mean further delays or even a cancellation of the proposed buy, since the country’s other political parties have raised concerns about the acquisition. Both the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party favor an open competition for a new fighter jet.
The F-35 Joint Program Office in the US has amended the Canadian “buy profile,” which indicates numbers of aircraft and timelines of the purchase. “This moves the notional date of first delivery of aircraft from 2017 to 2018,” the Canadian government noted in a statement. No official reason was provided by Canada for the change in dates.
But industry, military and government officials say the change means a final decision won’t need to be made until after 2015.
“This whole thing is designed to delay and to get the Conservatives past the next election so they don’t have to come clean with Canadians about their F-35 plans,” Liberal Party defense critic Joyce Murray said. Her analysis was echoed by Jack Harris, defense critic with the official opposition New Democratic Party, as well as Alan Williams, the Department of National Defence’s former head of procurement who approved Canada’s participation in the F-35 program..........
I'm sorry, guys. None of the stuff about reliability or Canadian delays can be true. There is nothing about it on the f35.com website; in fact, nothing but good news there.
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Nope, still here mostly readin' (only any F-35 relevant thread becuz Crab****e in UK bores me senseless) because otherwise I'm very busy re-arranging the deck chairs on my 4.4GB PDF. 
Otherwise I'm over on the F-16.net. Mostly the latest 'goodnews' gets well covered and some news not so relevant to youse crabs - any NavAvers excluded. Some old video of the roll in testing (36) with the three flyins at Lakehurst was released the other day. Note that more testing will be done at PaxRiver for the hookythingy on the F-35C - but youse knew that. Anyhoo I made some vids from the main vid here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32yFZ2ZFjTU
Edits of the hookothingo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS9ufBNjwYw
SLOmo: (of the SloMo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5QtXocbm0
Otherwise I'm over on the F-16.net. Mostly the latest 'goodnews' gets well covered and some news not so relevant to youse crabs - any NavAvers excluded. Some old video of the roll in testing (36) with the three flyins at Lakehurst was released the other day. Note that more testing will be done at PaxRiver for the hookythingy on the F-35C - but youse knew that. Anyhoo I made some vids from the main vid here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32yFZ2ZFjTU
Edits of the hookothingo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS9ufBNjwYw
SLOmo: (of the SloMo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5QtXocbm0
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From the guys that did the boneyard film I posted elsewhere
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well no-one seems to know very much that is true about the F-35
The maker claims it's all OK, on budget and on track (and has done for over 10 years)
a lot of the potential users say it doesn't work right, may never work right and is costing a fortune as well as being so late it might make WWTen
The politicians take all sides
I can't see that anyone on here has any less authority or claim to being correct as that lot
The maker claims it's all OK, on budget and on track (and has done for over 10 years)
a lot of the potential users say it doesn't work right, may never work right and is costing a fortune as well as being so late it might make WWTen
The politicians take all sides
I can't see that anyone on here has any less authority or claim to being correct as that lot
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