The F-35 thread, Mk II
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
The second main cause was the tail flight control surfaces “conflicting” with the pilot’s apparently correct efforts to recover the jet after it bounced on the runway, a problem the Air Force said was a “previously undiscovered anomaly in the aircraft’s flight control logic.” The plane and pilot “quickly fell out of sync,” as the flight computer commanded nose down while the pilot commanded nose up, attempting to abort the landing and go around. Sensing that he was being “ignored” by the airplane, the pilot ejected, sustaining significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
AW&ST Articles on YF-22 Crash
First USAF pilot to reach 1,000 flying hours on F-35A in 8 years at Edwards AFB and on 388 FW.
He also seems to have been getting lots of hours by modern standards - 1,200 on the F-15C in 2 tours and 800 hours on the F/A-18 in 1 tour on exchange with the USMC.
https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-...ours-in-f-35a/
He also seems to have been getting lots of hours by modern standards - 1,200 on the F-15C in 2 tours and 800 hours on the F/A-18 in 1 tour on exchange with the USMC.
https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-...ours-in-f-35a/
Translation/interpretation please
"I’m excited to watch how they mature the Panther into the future."
Any takers to explain this to me? I must be getting old.
Batco
Any takers to explain this to me? I must be getting old.
Batco
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One minor observation on the photo of the IDF pilot above - in additional to concealing her face, the Israelis have also placed a pixelation block over the exposed grip of her sidearm. I can’t imagine why, but I am curious as to why that could be considered to be OpSec.
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I don't think it is pixelated, just looks like the folds of the canvas cover..


Courtesy of the Bundesarchiv
Isn't Panther another name for a Cougar......
<Nerd mode on>I assume Lightning (II) was thought to be a good thing politically for US-UK relations. However, I thought it was just Lightning in the UK, Did anyone ever actually refer to the F-4 as the Phantom II? The original Phantom was the FH-1 the USN equivalent of the RN's Attackers. Apparently there was a desire among the USN F-35 community, and possibly others, to rename it Reaper as "Lightning II wasn't intimidating enough". Googling gives other names used as Fat Amy and Battle Penguin.
Lightning like any name can get discarded once exported
The IDF/AF call it the Adir = Mighty. The name given F16C/D block 30s was Barak = Lightning and Block 40s were Barak II - so Lightning II
It may not be a USAF reuse but if official surely it would have to be Panther II or has the F9F also been forgotten? Also the AS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. And once they reach Lakenheath they will be alongside the F-15Es of the 494th FS "Panthers"<Nerd mode off>
I am still prepared to argue for Sea Fury for the UKs Bs.

Last edited by SLXOwft; 29th Oct 2020 at 16:36. Reason: gardening
Salute!
Nobody calls the F-16 "Fighting Falcon".
Nor did anyone add the "II" to Phantom when the F-4 came on the scene in mid 60's.
Ditto for the A-7 as most refer to the plane in loving terms - SLUF, and not Corsair II
The F-111 was never called "Lancer", best I recall. Became the 'vaark quickly.
The A-10 was never called Thunderbolt II - Warthog came about like Viper came about for the F-16.
F-100 was never called Super Sabre, but some folks used "Sabre"
I flew the F-102 and A-37, but nobody called the 102 "Dagger" - it was the Deuce, and the A-37 became the "Dragonfly" in first few months it was produced. -
Only plane I ever flew with original USAF name was the F-101B - VooDoo
I named the F-35 "Stubby" first time I saw it and as it rolled so I could a good planform view. We have F-5/T-38, F-15, F-16 and F-22 planes here at Egln, so it is a good exercise to sit across the bayou and do aircraft recognition self-tests. That jet looks like sawed off F-15, so I called it "Stubby" over on the F-16 net forum for the F-35. The F-22 Raptor looks like a stretched F-15 on first glance then the big vertical stabs make the I.D. positive.
BTW, we also have A-10's here for tests, but you can take a peek, eat more of your hamburger and fries sitting on the bayou, look back for a second look, have another fry, and finally a positive I.D. Am I typing too fast for you?
One good source for the names is here, but even it has some omissions.
SailorSpeak: Aircraft Nicknames Appendix
My logbook entries, in order - Luscomb, Champ, Taylorcraft, Tweet, T-bird, Deuce, VooDoo, Dragonfly, Sluf and Viper.
Gums sends...
Nobody calls the F-16 "Fighting Falcon".
Nor did anyone add the "II" to Phantom when the F-4 came on the scene in mid 60's.
Ditto for the A-7 as most refer to the plane in loving terms - SLUF, and not Corsair II
The F-111 was never called "Lancer", best I recall. Became the 'vaark quickly.
The A-10 was never called Thunderbolt II - Warthog came about like Viper came about for the F-16.
F-100 was never called Super Sabre, but some folks used "Sabre"
I flew the F-102 and A-37, but nobody called the 102 "Dagger" - it was the Deuce, and the A-37 became the "Dragonfly" in first few months it was produced. -
Only plane I ever flew with original USAF name was the F-101B - VooDoo
I named the F-35 "Stubby" first time I saw it and as it rolled so I could a good planform view. We have F-5/T-38, F-15, F-16 and F-22 planes here at Egln, so it is a good exercise to sit across the bayou and do aircraft recognition self-tests. That jet looks like sawed off F-15, so I called it "Stubby" over on the F-16 net forum for the F-35. The F-22 Raptor looks like a stretched F-15 on first glance then the big vertical stabs make the I.D. positive.
BTW, we also have A-10's here for tests, but you can take a peek, eat more of your hamburger and fries sitting on the bayou, look back for a second look, have another fry, and finally a positive I.D. Am I typing too fast for you?
One good source for the names is here, but even it has some omissions.
SailorSpeak: Aircraft Nicknames Appendix
My logbook entries, in order - Luscomb, Champ, Taylorcraft, Tweet, T-bird, Deuce, VooDoo, Dragonfly, Sluf and Viper.
Gums sends...
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.defensenews.com/global/m...te-department/
US State Dept. approves UAE’s purchase of F-35 jets, MQ-9 drones
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Tuesday cleared a massive package of F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 unmanned systems for the United Arab Emirates, making official a potential sale still opposed by many congressional Democrats.
In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the package, which comes with an estimated price tag of $23.37 billion, includes up to 50 F-35s worth $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9Bs worth $2.97 billion, and $10 billion worth of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
“This is in recognition of our deepening relationship and the UAE’s need for advanced defense capabilities to deter and defend itself against heightened threats from Iran,” Pompeo said. “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape. Our adversaries, especially those in Iran, know this and will stop at nothing to disrupt this shared success.”
“The proposed sale will make the UAE even more capable and interoperable with U.S. partners in a manner fully consistent with America’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge,” he added, referencing a U.S. legal standard that Israel maintain a military technological advantage over its neighbors.
The sale was expected ever since the signing of peace agreements between Israel and the UAE. The administration previously informally notified Congress of the sale’s details, with leading foreign policy Democrats signaling they would act to block it.
Potential foreign military sales notified to Congress are not guaranteed to move forward, and the quantities and dollar figures can often change during final negotiations. But even getting this far is a big win for the UAE, which has long sought the stealthy F-35; it also represents a win for the Trump administration, which has made increasing U.S. weapon exports a key part of its economic platform.
US State Dept. approves UAE’s purchase of F-35 jets, MQ-9 drones
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Tuesday cleared a massive package of F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 unmanned systems for the United Arab Emirates, making official a potential sale still opposed by many congressional Democrats.
In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the package, which comes with an estimated price tag of $23.37 billion, includes up to 50 F-35s worth $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9Bs worth $2.97 billion, and $10 billion worth of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
“This is in recognition of our deepening relationship and the UAE’s need for advanced defense capabilities to deter and defend itself against heightened threats from Iran,” Pompeo said. “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape. Our adversaries, especially those in Iran, know this and will stop at nothing to disrupt this shared success.”
“The proposed sale will make the UAE even more capable and interoperable with U.S. partners in a manner fully consistent with America’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge,” he added, referencing a U.S. legal standard that Israel maintain a military technological advantage over its neighbors.
The sale was expected ever since the signing of peace agreements between Israel and the UAE. The administration previously informally notified Congress of the sale’s details, with leading foreign policy Democrats signaling they would act to block it.
Potential foreign military sales notified to Congress are not guaranteed to move forward, and the quantities and dollar figures can often change during final negotiations. But even getting this far is a big win for the UAE, which has long sought the stealthy F-35; it also represents a win for the Trump administration, which has made increasing U.S. weapon exports a key part of its economic platform.
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https://www.defensenews.com/global/m...te-department/
US State Dept. approves UAE’s purchase of F-35 jets, MQ-9 drones
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Tuesday cleared a massive package of F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 unmanned systems for the United Arab Emirates, making official a potential sale still opposed by many congressional Democrats.
In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the package, which comes with an estimated price tag of $23.37 billion, includes up to 50 F-35s worth $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9Bs worth $2.97 billion, and $10 billion worth of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
“This is in recognition of our deepening relationship and the UAE’s need for advanced defense capabilities to deter and defend itself against heightened threats from Iran,” Pompeo said. “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape. Our adversaries, especially those in Iran, know this and will stop at nothing to disrupt this shared success.”
“The proposed sale will make the UAE even more capable and interoperable with U.S. partners in a manner fully consistent with America’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge,” he added, referencing a U.S. legal standard that Israel maintain a military technological advantage over its neighbors.
The sale was expected ever since the signing of peace agreements between Israel and the UAE. The administration previously informally notified Congress of the sale’s details, with leading foreign policy Democrats signaling they would act to block it.
Potential foreign military sales notified to Congress are not guaranteed to move forward, and the quantities and dollar figures can often change during final negotiations. But even getting this far is a big win for the UAE, which has long sought the stealthy F-35; it also represents a win for the Trump administration, which has made increasing U.S. weapon exports a key part of its economic platform.
US State Dept. approves UAE’s purchase of F-35 jets, MQ-9 drones
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Tuesday cleared a massive package of F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 unmanned systems for the United Arab Emirates, making official a potential sale still opposed by many congressional Democrats.
In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the package, which comes with an estimated price tag of $23.37 billion, includes up to 50 F-35s worth $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9Bs worth $2.97 billion, and $10 billion worth of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
“This is in recognition of our deepening relationship and the UAE’s need for advanced defense capabilities to deter and defend itself against heightened threats from Iran,” Pompeo said. “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape. Our adversaries, especially those in Iran, know this and will stop at nothing to disrupt this shared success.”
“The proposed sale will make the UAE even more capable and interoperable with U.S. partners in a manner fully consistent with America’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge,” he added, referencing a U.S. legal standard that Israel maintain a military technological advantage over its neighbors.
The sale was expected ever since the signing of peace agreements between Israel and the UAE. The administration previously informally notified Congress of the sale’s details, with leading foreign policy Democrats signaling they would act to block it.
Potential foreign military sales notified to Congress are not guaranteed to move forward, and the quantities and dollar figures can often change during final negotiations. But even getting this far is a big win for the UAE, which has long sought the stealthy F-35; it also represents a win for the Trump administration, which has made increasing U.S. weapon exports a key part of its economic platform.
That's a disgrace.
Nope, it's politics, and its beefing up the Air Force of a nation who may tangle with Iran. That's the major regional security issue (unless it's just "more sales is more better" as defense policy which is also possible).
As an American taxpayer I'll offer this: if the Israelis don't like that, tougho-shitto. (Plus: I suspect the Israelis got a slightly more high speed software package in theirs .. just a guess ... and there's an old saw about "It's the Archer, not the Arrow" that also applies)
In other news, UAE and Israel have been making nice with each other over the past couple of years. I wonder if this sale wasn't an incentive for UAE to do so ... anyone care to make a guess?
As an American taxpayer I'll offer this: if the Israelis don't like that, tougho-shitto. (Plus: I suspect the Israelis got a slightly more high speed software package in theirs .. just a guess ... and there's an old saw about "It's the Archer, not the Arrow" that also applies)
In other news, UAE and Israel have been making nice with each other over the past couple of years. I wonder if this sale wasn't an incentive for UAE to do so ... anyone care to make a guess?

Salute!
Right on, Wolf.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Political views aside, LM is looking to make $$$. The EPG arrangement with USAF for the Viper back in 1975 was a no brainer, and GD came out big along with the European countries. The NATO folks needed a more capable multi-role jet and got one in spades.
While I do not appreciate giving away LO technology at any price, I also unnerstan a small country with deep pockets buying the best they can get. , On the plus side of strategerie, doesn't hurt to have an established logistical supply line as the U.S. had in 1990 to Saudi bases. Interoperability is a key component of military capability unless you only wanna fight for a week. We shall see.
Gums sends...
Right on, Wolf.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Political views aside, LM is looking to make $$$. The EPG arrangement with USAF for the Viper back in 1975 was a no brainer, and GD came out big along with the European countries. The NATO folks needed a more capable multi-role jet and got one in spades.
While I do not appreciate giving away LO technology at any price, I also unnerstan a small country with deep pockets buying the best they can get. , On the plus side of strategerie, doesn't hurt to have an established logistical supply line as the U.S. had in 1990 to Saudi bases. Interoperability is a key component of military capability unless you only wanna fight for a week. We shall see.
Gums sends...
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Nope, it's politics, and its beefing up the Air Force of a nation who may tangle with Iran. That's the major regional security issue (unless it's just "more sales is more better" as defense policy which is also possible).
As an American taxpayer I'll offer this: if the Israelis don't like that, tougho-shitto. (Plus: I suspect the Israelis got a slightly more high speed software package in theirs .. just a guess ... and there's an old saw about "It's the Archer, not the Arrow" that also applies)
In other news, UAE and Israel have been making nice with each other over the past couple of years. I wonder if this sale wasn't an incentive for UAE to do so ... anyone care to make a guess?
As an American taxpayer I'll offer this: if the Israelis don't like that, tougho-shitto. (Plus: I suspect the Israelis got a slightly more high speed software package in theirs .. just a guess ... and there's an old saw about "It's the Archer, not the Arrow" that also applies)
In other news, UAE and Israel have been making nice with each other over the past couple of years. I wonder if this sale wasn't an incentive for UAE to do so ... anyone care to make a guess?

My views have nothing to do with Israel.
I am just really uncomfortable with selling the Arab world a bunch of tier 1 shiny kit.....
History shows us that it doesn't take much to fall out with countries that were once allies, and there's a lot of that history in the Middle East.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
<Nerd mode on>I assume Lightning (II) was thought to be a good thing politically for US-UK relations.
Similarly, of course, if the Panther was anything more than an unofficial nickname, it would be the Panther II, in recognition of the Grumman F9F Panther of the early 1950s...
R Norwegian AF making good progress with there F-35As - taking over QRA from 2022 - integrating the Joint Strike Missile - FOC in 2025 (52 aircraft).
JSM details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_...Strike_Missile
JSM details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_...Strike_Missile