F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
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As a member of SETP I have to respond. With 187 combat missions in the F-4 in SEA and and three year operational tour RAF Lakenheath, I was selected to attend the USAF Test Pilot School. After flying system and weapons testing in the F-15 at Eglin AFB, I was selected to join the Navy Operational Test squadron, VX-4, at NAS Point Mugu, where I did operational testing on the F-14 and F/A-18 including tactics development for mixed F-14-F/A-18 formations.
Sooo it is quite possible that the Operational Test Pilots who flew these missions where capable of making some kind of judgement on the capability of the F-35; meager as that might be.
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Well it does seem to be an awfully long drawn out remedial process( that in fact is not the final solution) that we were led to believe would be ready last December..
The comments in the article seem completely fair and well worth taking on board.
The projects big problem, as I can see it, is any technical superiority the airframe had to start with has been completely eroded by both the failure of the prime contractors to deliver on time (we won't go near budget) and the quality of the opposition to develop counters to the airframe technology...
The comments in the article seem completely fair and well worth taking on board.
The projects big problem, as I can see it, is any technical superiority the airframe had to start with has been completely eroded by both the failure of the prime contractors to deliver on time (we won't go near budget) and the quality of the opposition to develop counters to the airframe technology...
Much the same as transonic roll-off, where the "fix" is presumably to stay out of the zone where it happens.
"Doctor, my back goes into spasm when I bend over to tie my shoes."
"Here's a prescription for a pair of loafers. Next patient, nurse!"
The question is whether and how it is being demonstrated that the excess flex is not going to cause other problems over the engine's projected lifetime.
"Doctor, my back goes into spasm when I bend over to tie my shoes."
"Here's a prescription for a pair of loafers. Next patient, nurse!"
The question is whether and how it is being demonstrated that the excess flex is not going to cause other problems over the engine's projected lifetime.
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The engine maker also aims to define a long-term solution by the middle of this summer
I'm offering 20/1 that their 'definition' (by July/August...lol) is nowhere near definitive. Any takers?
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The engine maker also aims to define a long-term solution by the middle of this summer
It's obviously not a fix if they still don't know how to fix it..
The concession is adding more weight. So without the weight concession, I can't imagine what the fix might be.
The basic F135 engine design for the F-35 came from the F119 engine for the F-22 fighter. Both engines have about the same diameter, the F135 is 17 inches longer than the F119, mainly to accommodate one more LPT stage than the F119 has. The dry weight of the F135 is 150 pounds more than the F119, but with the aerodynamic changes to the fan and additional LPT stage, it produces 8,000 pounds of additional thrust in afterburner than does the F119.
However, that additional thrust is really needed to power the overweight F-35 aircraft. Adding engine weight to stiffen the engine backbone to stop flexing diminishes engine thrust to weigh ratio. Thrust to weight ratio can usually be improved upon by increasing turbine temperatures, but the turbines are already running at max or too hot which decreases turbine component life. So you see the probable dilemma.
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I've just been looking at the spec for the T-X (T-38) replacement, and it has F-16D written all over it. I suspect, again my cynical side, that once the T-X (New model F-16) wins then the F-35 buy will plummet.
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Operators will assess the ability of the fighter to function not only on takeoff and landing, but also in navigating around the deck and in the belly of the ship, where maintenance operations take place.
“This exercise will evaluate the full spectrum of F-35B measures of suitability and effectiveness to the maximum extent possible,”
“This exercise will evaluate the full spectrum of F-35B measures of suitability and effectiveness to the maximum extent possible,”
“This exercise will evaluate the full spectrum of F-35B measures of suitability and effectiveness to the maximum extent possible."
This sentence appears to be internally contradictory, at once saying the exercise "will evaluate the full spectrum" but then qualifying "full" with "to the maximum extent possible".
This is like telling you that you can drive off with any car in the Porsche showroom as long as it doesn't cost more than $5,000.
I predict that the test will fully accomplish its goal, which will be to generate >3 concurrent sorties on one day for an audience of media and Congressional people. This should be doable with a half-dozen jets picked from a designated group of cherry-picked, fresh-off-the-mod-line aircraft.
This sentence appears to be internally contradictory, at once saying the exercise "will evaluate the full spectrum" but then qualifying "full" with "to the maximum extent possible".
This is like telling you that you can drive off with any car in the Porsche showroom as long as it doesn't cost more than $5,000.
I predict that the test will fully accomplish its goal, which will be to generate >3 concurrent sorties on one day for an audience of media and Congressional people. This should be doable with a half-dozen jets picked from a designated group of cherry-picked, fresh-off-the-mod-line aircraft.
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"Because not a single cent of your Tax Euros is honestly spent? Which is why
the EU's auditors haven't signed off the accounts for the last 19 years.
"
Somebodies been reading too much torygraph or daily fail... https://fullfact.org/factchecks/has_...18_years-28593
Auditing the EU accounts | Second reading
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_ECA-13-36_en.htm
Apologies for the off topic but there's too many lies easily thrown around on this subject and some balance is required. The accounts lie being one of the biggest.
the EU's auditors haven't signed off the accounts for the last 19 years.
" Somebodies been reading too much torygraph or daily fail... https://fullfact.org/factchecks/has_...18_years-28593
Auditing the EU accounts | Second reading
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_ECA-13-36_en.htm
Apologies for the off topic but there's too many lies easily thrown around on this subject and some balance is required. The accounts lie being one of the biggest.