F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
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Why?
Presumably they volunteered, on the offer of some trivial inducement.
They weren't so badly off, being about 4000m away; as long as none of the crud came down, but drifted up and away.
I imagine the main risks were rocket and safety (safety? In 1957?) failure, leading to the warhead going off rather nearer than they expected, or some fallout catching them at the time or later.
They weren't so badly off, being about 4000m away; as long as none of the crud came down, but drifted up and away.
I imagine the main risks were rocket and safety (safety? In 1957?) failure, leading to the warhead going off rather nearer than they expected, or some fallout catching them at the time or later.
Well, yeah. But there would have been some hard radiation from the detonation. As you mentioned, X-Rays plus gamma, etc. Still seems a strange thing to do, without knowing the purpose, of course. That said, if someone tod them it was safe, perhaps it just seemed like a good idea at the time.
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Neutrons are the unusual dose they would have taken. Neither X-rays nor gamma will be coming through very strong after 4km of air, broadly equivalent to a couple of meters of water, despite the facetious film-rug statement.
There's some more information about them here:
Five Men Agree To Stand Directly Under An Exploding Nuclear Bomb : Krulwich Wonders... : NPR
All but one were officers, and presumably reasonably well-informed by the standards of the day.
There's some more information about them here:
Five Men Agree To Stand Directly Under An Exploding Nuclear Bomb : Krulwich Wonders... : NPR
All but one were officers, and presumably reasonably well-informed by the standards of the day.
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Next question. Why on Earth did they want to do that?
.The cold war, what interesting times.
I agree with the USAF general on "where should we be spending our money?"
Tactical nuke certification on fighters/attack birds strikes me as the wrong place.
Tactical nuke certification on fighters/attack birds strikes me as the wrong place.
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UK F35 Order Next Week?
Reuters starting to report UK may order 14 F35B as early as next week:
'Their sources, who requested their names were not used because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the order was for 14 aircraft and that the announcement could come before the end of January ahead of a visit by Britain's defence secretary, Philip Hammond, to Washington on February 4-6.'
'Their sources, who requested their names were not used because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the order was for 14 aircraft and that the announcement could come before the end of January ahead of a visit by Britain's defence secretary, Philip Hammond, to Washington on February 4-6.'
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Exclusive: Pentagon report faults F-35 on software, reliability | Reuters
MARINES 2015 IOC, out the door?
That is one mighty big leap of faith, certainly knowing what happened to that other stealth bomber that got hit by a 1950's weapon over former Yugoslavia.
(Reuters) - A new U.S. Defense Department report warns that ongoing software, maintenance and reliability problems with Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 stealth fighter could delay the Marine Corps' plans to start using its F-35 jets by mid-2015.
The latest report by the Pentagon's chief weapons tester, Michael Gilmore, provides a detailed critique of the F-35's technical challenges, and focuses heavily on what it calls the "unacceptable" performance of the plane's software, according to a 25-page draft obtained by Reuters.
The report forecast a possible 13-month delay in completing testing of the Block 2B software needed for the Marine Corps to clear the jets for initial combat use next year, a priority given the high cost of maintaining current aging warplanes.
...
The report, due to be sent to Congress this week, said the aircraft is proving less reliable and harder to maintain than expected, and remains vulnerable to propellant fires sparked by missile strikes.
The latest report by the Pentagon's chief weapons tester, Michael Gilmore, provides a detailed critique of the F-35's technical challenges, and focuses heavily on what it calls the "unacceptable" performance of the plane's software, according to a 25-page draft obtained by Reuters.
The report forecast a possible 13-month delay in completing testing of the Block 2B software needed for the Marine Corps to clear the jets for initial combat use next year, a priority given the high cost of maintaining current aging warplanes.
...
The report, due to be sent to Congress this week, said the aircraft is proving less reliable and harder to maintain than expected, and remains vulnerable to propellant fires sparked by missile strikes.
OTHER CRITIQUES
Earlier this week, the nonprofit Center for International Policy said Lockheed had greatly exaggerated its estimate that the F-35 program sustained 125,000 U.S. jobs to shore up support for the program.
Earlier this week, the nonprofit Center for International Policy said Lockheed had greatly exaggerated its estimate that the F-35 program sustained 125,000 U.S. jobs to shore up support for the program.
It said there is also little margin for any weight growth, and the airplane's increased use of electrical systems makes it vulnerable to lightning and missile strikes.
Bogdan said extensive studies had showed the plane's radar-evading capabilities, advanced sensors, ability to fuse data, advanced countermeasures and electronic attack equipment greatly reduced the chance that it would be hit by enemy fire.
Bogdan said extensive studies had showed the plane's radar-evading capabilities, advanced sensors, ability to fuse data, advanced countermeasures and electronic attack equipment greatly reduced the chance that it would be hit by enemy fire.
Originally Posted by Pierre Sprey in 2010
Monday, January 10, 2011
Dutch interview with military expert Pierre Sprey: "This is a very vulnerable airplane"
Dutch interview with military expert Pierre Sprey: "This is a very vulnerable airplane"
Last edited by kbrockman; 24th Jan 2014 at 08:56.
Probably best to wait for the full DOT&E report, but note two things:
1 - The Reuters reporter that KB links to has been very F-35-friendly lately, publishing stories that puff the jet's prospects in MidEast (not as long as there's one AIPAC lobbyist left standing, buster) and Asia-Pacific (more accurate to say that Korea and Japan are the high-water mark for the next decade) and uncritically reporting that the -35A cost is the same as the Super Hornet. The leak and the access to Bogdan look like a controlled detonation.
2 - An IOC slip would be a surprise to exactly nobody.
More F-35 Delays Predicted
1 - The Reuters reporter that KB links to has been very F-35-friendly lately, publishing stories that puff the jet's prospects in MidEast (not as long as there's one AIPAC lobbyist left standing, buster) and Asia-Pacific (more accurate to say that Korea and Japan are the high-water mark for the next decade) and uncritically reporting that the -35A cost is the same as the Super Hornet. The leak and the access to Bogdan look like a controlled detonation.
2 - An IOC slip would be a surprise to exactly nobody.
More F-35 Delays Predicted
Block '61' F-16 are priced at $200million. Each. 
UAE raises possible deal for "Block 61" F-16 - 1/24/2014 - Flight Global
UAE raises possible deal for "Block 61" F-16 - 1/24/2014 - Flight Global
Block '61' F-16 are priced at $200million. Each
No, they aren't. (And if they were, it would be a good argument against buying anything from LockMart since it's >2 x the price of an F-15.)
Whether or not the notional $5 billion is correct, the full deal also includes research and development for the Block 61 Mid Life Update and upgrade kits and installation for the existing fleet (60 aircraft minus a few losses).
The UAE is now recognizing the full costs of buying a unique aircraft configuration from a high-cost supplier. When it comes to MLU they have you over a barrel, because your options are to pay up or retire the jets. (If you have a vanilla F-16 you now have a choice between LMT and BAE Systems upgrades, thanks to the ROKs.)
I would be willing to bet that the UAE MLU unit cost will be more than the Swedes pay for turning 60 JAS 39Cs into 39Es (which is basically new airplane apart from the nameplate and a few miscellaneous parts), and it will take longer.
No, they aren't. (And if they were, it would be a good argument against buying anything from LockMart since it's >2 x the price of an F-15.)
Whether or not the notional $5 billion is correct, the full deal also includes research and development for the Block 61 Mid Life Update and upgrade kits and installation for the existing fleet (60 aircraft minus a few losses).
The UAE is now recognizing the full costs of buying a unique aircraft configuration from a high-cost supplier. When it comes to MLU they have you over a barrel, because your options are to pay up or retire the jets. (If you have a vanilla F-16 you now have a choice between LMT and BAE Systems upgrades, thanks to the ROKs.)
I would be willing to bet that the UAE MLU unit cost will be more than the Swedes pay for turning 60 JAS 39Cs into 39Es (which is basically new airplane apart from the nameplate and a few miscellaneous parts), and it will take longer.
Thanks for clearing that up, any expert comment on this (unsurprising) report?
dna exclusive: 100% price escalation on Rafale fighter aircraft to Rs 1.75 lakh crore likely to dent IAF's strike capability - India - DNA
dna exclusive: 100% price escalation on Rafale fighter aircraft to Rs 1.75 lakh crore likely to dent IAF's strike capability - India - DNA
Anyone who would draw conclusions from a single report in the Indian press, which is (at least) no better than average when it comes to strategically planted propaganda, qualifies as an expert.
An expert
er, that is.
An expert
er, that is.
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How much of the reported price 'increase' in local currency, is due to the foreign exchange movements and how much , if any is due to factory gate inflation in France? Today 85 Rupee purchase 1 Euro, two years ago you only needed 65...
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Or it could be issues in India being able to develop/build the necessary manufacturing facilities.
Eighteen of the 126 planes will be purchased directly from Dassault, while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will manufacture the other 108 under a licence, at an upcoming facility in Bangalore.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
AW&ST (Bill Sweetman): Math Is Hard
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Thanks ORAC - Sweetman all over the numbers, as usual. It shouldn't be a surprise that Dave is more expensive than SH; stealth isn't free. But it is telling that the Loren Thompsons of the world (aka LM JSF Booster-du-jour) are trying so hard to manipulate the numbers.... in another world, this could lead nasty cynics to think that there was something to hide.
S41
S41
ORAC,
Thanks for posting that. I've read through it twice now and spent some time "doing the math". It's hard to find fault in his figures, although I'm sure someone will oblige with an explanation. As long as aid explanation comes with some equally compelling facts, I look forward to it.
I would still love to think that this new jet is worth it.
Thanks for posting that. I've read through it twice now and spent some time "doing the math". It's hard to find fault in his figures, although I'm sure someone will oblige with an explanation. As long as aid explanation comes with some equally compelling facts, I look forward to it.
I would still love to think that this new jet is worth it.
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Originally Posted by Think Defence
I can't get the link to embed for some reason
-RP