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-   -   The F-35 thread, Mk II (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/630295-f-35-thread-mk-ii.html)

melmothtw 20th Oct 2021 10:53


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.

Also, a C-130 was shot down with guns.

Edited; Ah, I see Mogwi has noted that event.

ORAC 25th Nov 2021 12:34

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

RAFEngO74to09 25th Nov 2021 13:06


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

At least one more anyway ! Too soon ?

ORAC 30th Nov 2021 15:25


chopper2004 6th Dec 2021 18:17

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

Lyneham Lad 11th Dec 2021 10:30

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.

ORAC 11th Dec 2021 10:47

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.

Stitchbitch 12th Dec 2021 08:42


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

BAE helmet? Assumed that RAF F35B pilots fly with the same helmet as all the other F35 operators, and that the BAE 'alternate helmet' effort quietly dropped off the radar when the Collins /VIS version got improved?

ORAC 12th Dec 2021 10:29

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

megan 13th Dec 2021 03:57


Question being what would be the mission of stealth fighters in Switzerland
To present the lowest possible signature to anyone who decides to cross their border to try their luck I'd have thought, as a layman. Else you might ask why do they have fighters at all.

Stitchbitch 13th Dec 2021 06:43

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.'

SpazSinbad 13th Dec 2021 07:46

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

Stitchbitch 14th Dec 2021 00:32

Thanks Spaz, that was pretty much my recollection. Times must have got it's wires crossed. 👍

ORAC 16th Dec 2021 07:07


chopper2004 16th Dec 2021 21:31

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

SpazSinbad 17th Dec 2021 17:31

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

T28B 18th Dec 2021 00:18

We now return you all to a discussion of the F-35.

SpazSinbad 18th Dec 2021 23:01

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!


Navaleye 18th Dec 2021 23:45

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

LateArmLive 19th Dec 2021 00:55


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

It would be even brighter with a purchase of F35A. 44 B models aren't enough to be worthwhile.


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