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Originally Posted by MAINJAFAD
(Post 11111311)
He did, He also put a 30mm Aden round through the rear cockpit of a Turbomentor on 1st May, which just damaged the aircraft.
Edited; Ah, I see Mogwi has noted that event. |
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 |
Originally Posted by ORAC
(Post 11146929)
Being pushed as the UK buying more than 48, can equally be seen as admitting the total buy will be between 60-80.
UK ‘absolutely committed’ to buying more than 48 F-35 jets |
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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 |
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 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 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. |
Originally Posted by Lyneham Lad
(Post 11154456)
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 |
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 |
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.' |
3 Attachment(s)
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 |
Thanks Spaz, that was pretty much my recollection. Times must have got it's wires crossed. 👍
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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 https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....c7d1d1c4b.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1e3906121.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....eb4f91e01.jpeg |
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. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....179aef35e3.jpg |
We now return you all to a discussion of the F-35.
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An explanation of the F-35 Block Four Upgrade
F-35 Block 4 : the MOST LETHAL F-35 ever! LOOK at what I FOUND inside! |
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
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Originally Posted by Navaleye
(Post 11158023)
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
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Originally Posted by LateArmLive
(Post 11158039)
It would be even brighter with a purchase of F35A. 44 B models aren't enough to be worthwhile.
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Originally Posted by golder
(Post 11158056)
They may be waiting for block 4 hardware.
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Do be serious, we are talking the U.K. plc here, I’m still surprised they didn’t try to re-engine it. ;)
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Originally Posted by NutLoose
(Post 11158058)
Do be serious, we are talking the U.K. plc here, I’m still surprised they didn’t try to re-engine it. ;)
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Originally Posted by Navaleye
(Post 11158023)
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
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Originally Posted by Buster15
(Post 11158716)
I thought that Rafale had just got an order for 80 jets.
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Originally Posted by Buster15
(Post 11158716)
I thought that Rafale had just got an order for 80 jets. Shame that Typhoon had not sold a lot better. But it is pretty expensive, primarily because of the 4 nation consortium.
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Originally Posted by golder
(Post 11158887)
The F-35 is built in many states and nations. It isn't the reason the EF is expensive. Rafale in built in one and is expensive.
However, I was not suggesting that it is the only reason why it is so expensive. Just one of them. An example is that when bidding for an export sale, all 4 nations have to work on their own supply and support costs individually, then submit them to EF who coordinate the final submission. Very much doubt that is the case for Rafale for example. F35 price is a function of the large number of units produced. |
Originally Posted by Buster15
(Post 11159058)
Both F35 and Rafale only have one final production build line. EF has 4, which I do know adds to the unit cost. Duplication of expensive resources.
However, I was not suggesting that it is the only reason why it is so expensive. Just one of them. |
Originally Posted by Buster15
(Post 11159058)
Both F35 and Rafale only have one final production build line. EF has 4, which I do know adds to the unit cost. Duplication of expensive resources.
However, I was not suggesting that it is the only reason why it is so expensive. Just one of them. An example is that when bidding for an export sale, all 4 nations have to work on their own supply and support costs individually, then submit them to EF who coordinate the final submission. Very much doubt that is the case for Rafale for example. F35 price is a function of the large number of units produced. |
Originally Posted by golder
(Post 11159077)
Do you want to count the F-35 production lines again? I'll start you off in the EU with Italy.
So, that's 3 so far. |
Originally Posted by GeeRam
(Post 11159125)
Plus Japan assemble their own A's IIRC.
So, that's 3 so far. I thought that the Italian FACO was only for repairs. And was not aware that Japan had a production build line. So thank you for your update. |
Correction accepted. I thought that the Italian FACO was only for repairs. And was not aware that Japan had a production build line. So thank you for your update. The Japanese were back and forth for a while about where their F-35s would be built, but I wasn't aware that any had actually rolled off the line at the country's FACO. I thought that was being used as an MRO facility, but standing by to be corrected. |
Mystery customer
Any guesses?
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...he-stealth-jet I have had a cursory look at the dsca.mil to assertain which one of the new customers it could be? https://www.dsca.mil/search/node?keys=f-35 Cheers |
Originally Posted by chopper2004
(Post 11162828)
Israeli PM had a clandestine visit to singapore in october |
Originally Posted by rattman
(Post 11162832)
Smart money is saying singapore. Singapore has some F-35B's coming, the rumor is a its study to see about putting isreali software and systems in the singaporian B models
Israeli PM had a clandestine visit to singapore in october |
Originally Posted by golder
(Post 11162845)
Israeli stuff is plug and play. It has already been incorporated and shouldn't need to be redone.
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Originally Posted by rattman
(Post 11162848)
Firstly I dont believe it is all plug and play, the intial plan was but the US relented and gave them access to the core operating system to put in their electronics, secondly singapore is getting B models and while the ADIR's are based on A models
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Thailand next?
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South Korean F-35 Conducts Emergency ‘Belly Landing’ 04 Jan 2022 Greg Hadley
https://www.airforcemag.com/south-ko...belly-landing/ "A South Korean air force F-35 pilot was forced to make an emergency “belly landing” but managed to escape unharmed Jan. 4, according to multiple media reports. The incident was caused by “avionic system issues,” South Korean air force officials told news agency Yonhap, which caused the landing gear to malfunction and resulted in the pilot landing on a runway with the gear up. Before the landing, a fire engine deployed a special foam on the runway, “which prevented the jet’s fuselage from sustaining any serious damage,” officials added. The full extent of the damage has not been reported...." |
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