The F-35 thread, Mk II
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Being pushed as the UK buying more than 48, can equally be seen as admitting the total buy will be between 60-80.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-a...-48-f-35-jets/
UK ‘absolutely committed’ to buying more than 48 F-35 jets
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-a...-48-f-35-jets/
UK ‘absolutely committed’ to buying more than 48 F-35 jets
Finland?
Rumor mill just now from local press suggests Finland has picked the F-35…
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...jets-iltalehti
By chance today is their national holiday as it’s their Independence Day…
cheers
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...jets-iltalehti
By chance today is their national holiday as it’s their Independence Day…
cheers
Not sure if this has been reported elsewhere. Article & photos in The Times on Thursday 9th.
Green glow obscures US fighter jet pilots’ vision on night flights
Green glow obscures US fighter jet pilots’ vision on night flights
The US Air Force is to make urgent adjustments to the helmet worn by pilots flying America’s most advanced stealth fighter after incidents in which a “green glow” obscured their vision during night missions.
The action followed the experience of one pilot of an F-35A Lightning II who was blinded by the green glow in the helmet while he was trying to refuel in midair on January 6 over Alaska.
The effect in the $400,000 helmet came from the night-vision video feed of the surrounding environment, which is built into the headgear instead of on a screen in the cockpit.
In the dark, the glow has been causing disorientation for pilots of allthe different versions of the F-35 flown by the US air force, navy and marines.
An investigation by the US air force into the January incident reported that the F-35A pilot became confused while he was trying to lock into the KC-135 fuel tanker and later failed to see where his wingman was positioned behind him, according to Aviation Week.
“Green glow from the helmet, combined with low tanker lighting and hazy clouds, obscured the view of the other F-35A attempting to refuel and the tanker itself,” the investigation reported.
“The illumination from the helmet was so bright that the pilot needed to tilt his head and look below the display to try and see his environment,” the report said.
The pilot felt back to normal after about 30 seconds. However, he remained on autopilot for several minutes as he banked away.
The incident is similar to the experiences of navy and Marine Corps pilots trying to land on aircraft carriers at night, when green glow from the helmet’s video stream obscured the ship’s flight deck. Many pilots have reported feelings of “spatial disorientation”.
The air force investigators urged adjustments to the helmet including dimming the green lighting. The navy and Marine Corps have gone a step further by ordering an updating of the helmet. A new version is expected in 2023. The Royal Air Force, which also flies F-35s, uses a different helmet system designed by BAE Systems.
The action followed the experience of one pilot of an F-35A Lightning II who was blinded by the green glow in the helmet while he was trying to refuel in midair on January 6 over Alaska.
The effect in the $400,000 helmet came from the night-vision video feed of the surrounding environment, which is built into the headgear instead of on a screen in the cockpit.
In the dark, the glow has been causing disorientation for pilots of allthe different versions of the F-35 flown by the US air force, navy and marines.
An investigation by the US air force into the January incident reported that the F-35A pilot became confused while he was trying to lock into the KC-135 fuel tanker and later failed to see where his wingman was positioned behind him, according to Aviation Week.
“Green glow from the helmet, combined with low tanker lighting and hazy clouds, obscured the view of the other F-35A attempting to refuel and the tanker itself,” the investigation reported.
“The illumination from the helmet was so bright that the pilot needed to tilt his head and look below the display to try and see his environment,” the report said.
The pilot felt back to normal after about 30 seconds. However, he remained on autopilot for several minutes as he banked away.
The incident is similar to the experiences of navy and Marine Corps pilots trying to land on aircraft carriers at night, when green glow from the helmet’s video stream obscured the ship’s flight deck. Many pilots have reported feelings of “spatial disorientation”.
The air force investigators urged adjustments to the helmet including dimming the green lighting. The navy and Marine Corps have gone a step further by ordering an updating of the helmet. A new version is expected in 2023. The Royal Air Force, which also flies F-35s, uses a different helmet system designed by BAE Systems.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
The helmet and the green glow has been a problem mentioned in every report to Congress since 2012.The DOD DOTE report in 2016 identified the issue as a “Category 1” deficiency, affecting the safety of flight.
The USN and Marine Corps have started replacing the Mk 3 helmet with OLED helmets with 62 sets already delivered. Another 62 are expected in May 2022.
At present the USAF have not bought any, not aware about the UK.
The USN and Marine Corps have started replacing the Mk 3 helmet with OLED helmets with 62 sets already delivered. Another 62 are expected in May 2022.
At present the USAF have not bought any, not aware about the UK.
Not sure if this has been reported elsewhere. Article & photos in The Times on Thursday 9th.
Green glow obscures US fighter jet pilots’ vision on night flights
Green glow obscures US fighter jet pilots’ vision on night flights
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
As stated, the helmet has been redesigned and sets shipped to the USN and USMC. Not sure what other operators have ordered it.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...ife-expectancy
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...ife-expectancy
Question being what would be the mission of stealth fighters in Switzerland
Thanks ORAC, I was specifically asking about the BAES helmet mentioned in Lyenham lads Times article.
'The air force investigators urged adjustments to the helmet including dimming the green lighting. The navy and Marine Corps have gone a step further by ordering an updating of the helmet. A new version is expected in 2023. The Royal Air Force, which also flies F-35s, uses a different helmet system designed by BAE Systems.'
'The air force investigators urged adjustments to the helmet including dimming the green lighting. The navy and Marine Corps have gone a step further by ordering an updating of the helmet. A new version is expected in 2023. The Royal Air Force, which also flies F-35s, uses a different helmet system designed by BAE Systems.'
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The BAE Systems RAF helmet system possibly refers to the TYPHOON new helmet. PDF has report from 2011, article no longer online. Then back again in the dreamtime of 2013 there is this article thankfully online: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne...ay-development F-35 Program Stops Alternate Helmet Display Development "... In September 2011, F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin awarded a contract to BAE Systems to develop an alternate HMDS after the Pentagon identified deficiencies with the original helmet system developed by Rockwell Collins and Elbit Systems of America...."
OLD url to 2011 start of ALT HMDS by BAE development - since stopped as above: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...elmet-contract
OLD url to 2011 start of ALT HMDS by BAE development - since stopped as above: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...elmet-contract
Last edited by SpazSinbad; 13th Dec 2021 at 08:01. Reason: add textURLs
495th arrivals
Yep I was one of many hundreds who turned out at the Heath to see the arrivals so here are a couple of my photos
cheers
cheers
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LakenHeath F-35s Story & HiRez Photos: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Disp...or-first-time/
Original photo: https://media.defense.gov/2021/Dec/1...AF202-0177.JPG (2Mb)
https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igpho...diaid/5654227/ "U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron conduct a flyover upon arrival at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom Dec. 15, 2021.... PHOTO BY: Senior Airman Koby I. Saunders" + additional photo details.
Original photo: https://media.defense.gov/2021/Dec/1...AF202-0177.JPG (2Mb)
https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igpho...diaid/5654227/ "U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron conduct a flyover upon arrival at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom Dec. 15, 2021.... PHOTO BY: Senior Airman Koby I. Saunders" + additional photo details.
Last edited by SpazSinbad; 17th Dec 2021 at 17:55. Reason: txtaddphot
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We now return you all to a discussion of the F-35.
Suspicion breeds confidence
The F35 is the only way to go now for most nations. Typhoon and Rafale are obsolete and going out of production. For the UK the future is bright. It's F35b