DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Jump Jet Gears Up For Crucial At-Sea Tests

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Jump Jet Gears Up For Crucial At-Sea Tests

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Lance M. Bacon, Staff writer - NavyTimes
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015: The blue-green team is gearing up for operational tests that could build momentum for the embattled F-35B Lightning II — or add more fuel to the fire of outspoken critics.

The first shipboard operational test period for the Marine Corps' short take off and vertical landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter is scheduled to take place May 18-30 aboard the amphibious assault ship Wasp. Six of the jets will participate, four out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and two from MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.

Evaluators will assess the stealth jet's integration and operation within the full spectrum of flight and maintenance operations, as well as supply chain support while embarked at sea, said Maj. Paul Greenberg, Marine Corps spokesman. Lessons learned will "lay the groundwork" for future deployments, he said. The aims of the at-sea tests include:

*Assess day and night take-offs and landings, weapons loads, and extended range operations.
*Assess aircraft-to-ship network communications.
*Evaluate the landing signal officer's launch and recovery software.
*Test the crew's ability to conduct scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
*Determine the suitability of maintenance support equipment for shipboard operations.
*Assess the logistics footprint of a deployed, six-plane F-35B detachment.

The F-35B remains the centerpiece of Marine fixed-wing modernization because "it supports our doctrinal form of maneuver warfare and our operational need for close air support in austere conditions and locations potentially inaccessible for traditional fighters," Greenberg told Navy Times on March 17."The Lightning II will provide effective close-air support to our Marines and sailors when they need it the most."

Twenty-one alterations were required to equip the Wasp for regular operation of the F-35B aircraft, according to Matt Leonard, spokesman for Naval Sea Systems Command. Each alteration will be made on all L-class ships during planned availabilities and in line on newly constructed ships in advance of the F-35B's arrival.

Among the biggest challenges has been the downward force and heat of the F-35B's engines as it lands, which has burned the nonskid deck. A new highly tolerant, temperature resistant thermal spray coating was applied and has been successfully evaluated aboard Wasp during F-35B, V-22, AV-8B and other helicopter flight operations, Leonard said.

The Wasp also underwent seven "cornerstone" alterations that provide necessary electrical servicing upgrades, expand weapons handling and storage, provide for the F-35B Autonomic Logistics Information System, secure access facilities, and relocate the flight deck tramline for flight safety.

The Wasp is the test ship for the F-35B and has not made a major deployment in over a decade.

While the Air Force's decision to replace the venerable A-10 with its F-35A variant has nabbed headlines, some analysts and lawmakers remain critical of the Corps' next-generation jump jet for three reasons. It has the shortest range and smallest payload of any F-35, its capabilities are reduced and it's the most expensive. An Air Force F-35A airframe and engine runs $77.7 million, as compared to $105.5 million for the F-35B, and $89.7 million for the F-35C, according to an April 2014 Congressional Research Service report. The Marine Corps also plans to buy the carrier-based F-35C.

Supporters point out that few (if any) potential adversaries can beat the fifth-generation fighter, and this design amounts to a leap ahead for reconnaissance, electronic warfare and close-air support missions

"This actually doesn't just replace the F/A-18, the AV-8 or the EA-6. It's a fundamentally different capability," Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford said in March 10 testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "It's a transformational capability. It'll do everything that those three aircraft will do, but also, in terms of the information environment, it'll do a significant amount more for the Marine air-ground task force."

Initial operating capability for the F-35B is scheduled for July.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Lance M. Bacon, Staff writer - NavyTimes
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DTN News ~ F-35 CANADIAN CONNECTION: F-35 Makes First Flight Sporting Canadian-Made Tail Wing Assembly

DTN News ~ F-35 CANADIAN CONNECTION: F-35 Makes First Flight Sporting Canadian-Made Tail Wing Assembly
*The US Department of Defense (USDOD) has planned to acquire 1,763 F-35As by 2034

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Canadian Manufacturing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 4, 2014: A new F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sporting a Canadian-made tail assembly took to the skies for the first time last month, according to Magellan Aerospace Corp.

The Winnipeg-built tail assembly flew on an F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant from defence giant Lockheed Martin’s final assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, on Feb. 26.

“Magellan delivered the horizontal tail for the aircraft that flew today in December 2012,” Scott McCrady, Magellan’s F-35 program director, said in a company release.

“Since then our annual production rates have been steadily increasing and are expected to continually increase over the next several years as the F-35 program matures.”

Mississauga, Ont.-based Magellan is under contract with BAE Systems to produce horizontal tail assemblies for the CTOL variant of the F-35 and is expected to produce more than 1,000 assemblies for the program over a 20-year period.

Magellan, under contract with engine maker Rolls-Royce, has also been producing the vane box assembly and transition duct for all of the F-35B Short Take Off and Landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet.

The company has also been producing “a number of composite assemblies and machined details” directly to Lockheed Martin.

The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) or F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. The single-seat, single-engine fifth-generation F-35A has been designed and is being developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics for the US Air Force (USAF) and allied air forces. The multi-role, supersonic, stealthy fighter aircraft is designed to undertake air defence, ground attack and reconnaissance missions.

The F-35A will replace the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters and will supersede A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft by 2028. It is also expected to replace F-15 fighters. It addition, the F-35A will complement the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter.
Design features of the F-35 Lightening II aircraft CTOL edition

The F-35A CTOL variant of the F-35 aircraft is designed mainly as a low-visibility aircraft with air-to-ground attack and air-to-air combat capabilities. Turning agility of the aircraft is nine times the force of gravity.  

The F-35A is more affordable as its operation and support is expected to cost 40%-50% less than current-generation aircraft used by the USAF. Another affordability feature of the aircraft is that approximately 80% of its parts are common to other variants of the F-35 aircraft.

Low visibility capability allows the aircraft to defy, retort and avoid enemy threats. State-of-the-art electronic systems add to the positional awareness of the pilot. Low-radar profile helps in maintaining the aircraft's low visibility by allowing loading of weapons and fuel internally.

Due to its lower logistics footprint, the aircraft can be positioned in an easier way than the USAF's existing fighter aircraft.

Development of Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation fighter aircraft F-35A

The critical design reviews (CDR) for CTOL variant of the F-35 aircraft were conducted in February 2006. The first flight of F-35A was undertaken in December 2006. The initial production order for two F-35A aircraft was sanctioned in April 2007.

A slightly improved version of the original aircraft was flown in November 2009.
The first night flight of F-35A was carried out in January 2012. The aircraft was tested with external weapons for the first time in February that year at Edwards Air Force Base, California. First night re-fuelling mission was completed one month later in March, while the first in-flight re-fuelling mission was completed in April 2012.

Orders and delivery of the CTOL variant of the F-35

In December 2011, the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force selected the CTOL variant to replace its ageing F-4 fleet. Israel has also shown interest in buying at least 100 F-35A aircraft.

The first two production aircraft were handed over to the USAF in May 2011. Two more F-35As were delivered in September 2011. The fifth and sixth aircraft, designated as AF-12 and AF-13 respectively, were delivered to the 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in October 2011.

The F-35A was initially planned to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) in March 2013. The IOC is now projected to take place in 2016.

The US Department of Defense (USDOD) has planned to acquire 1,763 F-35As by 2034.

Armaments

The F-35A is equipped with an internally-mounted GAU-22/A Equalizer gun manufactured by General Dynamics. This 25mm gun is designed for greater effectiveness against ground targets.

The aircraft's weapon station includes three external pylons on each of the two wings with a combined capacity of 6,800kg. Moreover, there are two internal bays with two pylons each with a combined payload capacity of 8,100kg.

Avionics

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is supplying its AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the aircraft. The company is also supplying the AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) missile warning system, which is fitted with six electro-optical sensors.

An electronic warfare suite, designated as AN/ASQ-239, will be supplied by BAE Systems. Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) communication system will be provided by Harris Corporation.

Performance

The 15.7m F-35A aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 1.6 Mach. The combat radius and maximum range of the aircraft on internal fuel are 1,093km and 2,200km respectively. Maximum g-rating of F-35A is 9.0 and weapons payload capacity is 8,160kg.
Pratt & Whitney engine for the F-35A fighter aircraft

The F-35A CTOL is powered by a single F135 engine (F135-PW-100 variant) manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. The F135 is a two-spool afterburning turbofan type engine capable of producing maximum thrust of 191.3kN and intermediate thrust of 128.1kN.

The F135 engine is an enhanced version of the F119 engine which powers the F-22 Raptor. F135 measures 135m in length and has an inner diameter of 1.17m. Overall pressure ratio of the engine is 28. Internal fuel capacity is 8,382kg.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Canadian Manufacturing
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Principle Agreement Reached On Two Lower Cost F-35 Contracts

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Principle Agreement Reached On Two Lower Cost F-35 Contracts

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 3, 2013: The U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin reached an agreement in principle for the next two F-35 Lightning II aircraft production contracts (Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) lots 6 and 7), which is expected to include 71 stealth fighter aircraft and continue a reduction in F-35 aircraft pricing. The contracting effort spanned six months from proposal to settlement.

A decrease in F-35 LRIP 6-7 unit costs, coupled with negotiating lower prices on a number of other smaller contracts, will allow the Department to purchase all the aircraft originally planned, including those that were in jeopardy of being cut due to sequestration budget impacts.

Cost details will be released once both contracts are finalized; however, in general, the unit prices for all three variants of the U.S. air vehicles in LRIP-6 are roughly four percent lower than the previous contract. LRIP-7 air vehicle unit prices will show an additional four percent reduction. The LRIP-7 price represents about an eight percent reduction from the LRIP-5 contract signed in December 2012.

"These two contracts represent a fair deal that is beneficial to the government and Lockheed Martin," said Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer. "Improving affordability is critical to the success of this program, and by working together we were able to negotiate a lower cost F-35. There is still work to be done, but these agreements are proof the cost arrow is moving in the right direction.  We will continue to work with industry to identify areas for savings in future production contracts."

The new contracts will also include the first F-35s for Australia, Italy, Norway, and the fourth F-35 for the United Kingdom. In addition to procuring the air vehicles, these contracts also fund manufacturing-support equipment and ancillary mission equipment.

Deliveries of 36 U.S. and partner nation aircraft in LRIP-6 will begin by mid-2014 and deliveries of 35 U.S. and partner nation aircraft in LRIP-7 will begin by mid-2015.

“At the start of these negotiations, the F-35 Joint Program Office and our F-35 team jointly committed to conduct LRIP-6 and -7 negotiations in an efficient manner that leveraged all we achieved from the LRIP-5 contract,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Vice President and General Manager. “Today’s agreement reflects our collective JPO/LM delivery on that commitment. We know how critical aircraft production is to meeting our services’ Initial Operational Capability dates, beginning with the Marine Corps in 2015, and we’re committed to making that happen.”

The LRIP-6 and -7 aircraft will join the 95 F-35s contracted under LRIPs 1-5. To date, 67 F-35s (including test aircraft) have been delivered from Lockheed Martin's production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The U.S. and eight partner nations plan to acquire more than 3,100 F-35 fighters. Israel and Japan have also announced plans to purchase the jet under Foreign Military Sales agreements.

The agreement in principle reached between the Government and Lockheed Martin are for air vehicles and do not include the propulsion systems.  The LRIP-6 engine contract is currently being negotiated between the Government and Pratt & Whitney.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: 100th Jet In Final Production; First F-35 Bound For Luke AFB

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: 100th Jet In Final Production; First F-35 Bound For Luke AFB

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 3, 2013: The 100th Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II, the first aircraft destined for Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz., has entered the last stage of final assembly. This conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft, known as AF-41, is scheduled to arrive at the base next year. During final assembly, the aircraft structure is completed, and electrical and hydraulic systems are added. Additionally, these systems are tested in preparation for fuel systems checks and engine runs. The final steps prior to acceptance by the Air Force include a series of checkout flights leading to the aircraft entering the service’s F-35 fleet. AF-41 is one of 126 F-35s in various stages of production worldwide.

In June, the Air Force announced its decision to increase the number of squadrons at Luke AFB to six with 144 aircraft, which will make it the largest F-35 base worldwide.  In addition to training U.S. pilots, Luke will also serve as an F-35A International Training site. Currently, Luke’s economic impact on the state of Arizona is $2.17 Billion. With 14 F-35 suppliers in the state of Arizona, the program has an additional economic impact of $98Million.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability. The F-35 has three main models; the F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the F-35B is a short take-off and vertical-landing variant, and the F-35C is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,443 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide the bulk of its tactical airpower for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy over the coming decades.


JSF development is being principally funded by the United States with additional funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. The United Kingdom, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and Turkey are part of the development program; Japan has ordered the F-35, while Singapore may also equip their air force with the F-35

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
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DTN News - UK DEFENSE NEWS: Third F-35B For United Kingdom Makes First Flight

DTN News - UK DEFENSE NEWS: Third F-35B For United Kingdom Makes First Flight

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin + f35.com
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 4, 2013:  Monday (FORT WORTH, Texas, April 2, 2013), the third United Kingdom Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] F-35 Lightning II sped down the runway at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base embarking on its first flight. The aircraft, known as ZM137, departed at 10:16 a.m. with Lockheed Martin F-35 Chief Test Pilot Alan Norman at the controls. ZM137 will complete a series of company and government checkout flights prior to its acceptance by the U.K. Ministry of Defence. ZM137 will join U.K. aircraft ZM135 and ZM136 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., later this year where it will be used for pilot and maintainer training.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services.  The Corporation’s net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

The F-35 is a cornerstone of 21st century global security. Enabled by global partnerships, F-35 offers unprecedented capability and supportability across the spectrum of military operations. The U.S.has partnered with close allies to ensure the program's success through military and industrial cooperation. When allies fly the F-35, the coalition is strengthened through the ability to share information and resources.

The global partnership brings together the world's most experienced aerospace industry leaders. The F-35 partnership combines the most sophisticated manufacturing, engineering and technical expertise in the world to develop and support the F-35 program. The F-35 Lightning II program is a model of international cooperation.

GLOBAL PARTICIPATION
THE CENTERPIECE OF 21ST CENTURY GLOBAL SECURITY
The F-35 program includes partners from nine countries - partnerships that are essential to the success of the program. Other countries are considering or have selected the F-35 to bring 5th generation capability to allied armed forces around the world.

PARTNER COUNTRIES

UNITED STATES

The U.S. is the only country that flies all three F-35 variants. The U.S. Air Force flies the F-35A, the Marine Corps the F-35B and the Navy the F-35C. There are more than 125,000 direct and indirect jobs in the U.S. on the F-35 program. more

UNITED KINGDOM

The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy will purchase 138 F-35 aircraft, bringing advanced technology, stealth capability and interoperability across military forces to the U.K. more

ITALY

Italy will receive 90 F-35A and F-35B aircraft. A final assembly and checkout facility (FACO) is being constructed at Cameri Air Base, Novara, Piedmont. more

NETHERLANDS

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will receive F-35As to arm the fleet with advanced technology for future success of airmen. more

TURKEY

The F-35A's advanced technology and stealth capabilities are the future of Turkish national security. The Turkish aerospace industry is competing and winning key contracts to supply goods and services for the life of the program. more

CANADA

Canada is evaluating fighter aircraft alternatives, including the F-35A, to replace its CF-18 aircraft and provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with the aircraft needed to respond to current and future threats. As a partner, Canadian industry has participated in the F-35 program for nearly 10 years. more

AUSTRALIA

The F-35 continues Lockheed Martin's 50-year partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Some 100 5th generation F-35As will transition the RAAF into a next generation, net-centric fighter force capable of protecting Australia's security. more

DENMARK

As a program partner, Denmark has the opportunity to select the F-35A to ensure the Royal Danish Air Force's dominance for years into the future. more

NORWAY

The F-35A will recapitalize the Royal Norwegian Air Force fighter fleet to sustain Norway's national security. Norway's history with Lockheed Martin includes the F-16 fighter and C-130J transport aircraft. more

CURRENT COMPETITIONS

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The F-35A is a key competitor in the Republic of Korea Air Force's (ROKAF) F-X III program. Lockheed Martin is offering the conventional takeoff and landing variant to the ROKAF. more

FOREIGN MILITARY SALES

JAPAN

The Japan Ministry of Defense selected the F-35A as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's (JASDF) next generation fighter aircraft in December 2011, following the F-X competitive bid process. The initial contract will be for four jets in Japan Fiscal Year 2012. more

ISRAEL

The Israeli government selected the F-35A as the Israel Air Force's next generation aircraft in October 2010. Israel will be the first country to receive the F-35 through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales process. more

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin + f35.com
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DTN News - U.K. DEFENSE NEWS: United Kingdom Accepts First International Lockheed Martin F-35

DTN News - U.K. DEFENSE NEWS: United Kingdom Accepts First International Lockheed Martin F-35

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 20, 2012:  The United Kingdom accepted the first international Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II aircraft in a ceremony today with senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Right Honourable Philip Hammond, U.K. Secretary of State for Defence, and Mr. Frank Kendall, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, represented their governments.

“We are here to celebrate an important ‘first’ among so many milestones associated with the F-35 program,” said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman and chief executive officer. “It’s fitting that our first delivery to an international partner is to the United Kingdom, because without sustained British innovation over many generations, we would not have an event to celebrate today.”

The U.K. was the first of eight international partners to join the F-35 program and plans to acquire the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft. 

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Headquartered in the U.K., BAE Systems brings a rich heritage of capabilities to the F-35 program, including short takeoff and vertical landing experience, advanced lean manufacturing, flight testing and air systems sustainment, and is responsible for the F-35’s aft fuselage, fuel system, crew escape and life support systems. The U.K. will play a vital role in the F-35’s global production, follow-on development and sustainment over the next 40 years, bringing strong economic benefits to the country.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV8-B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

*F-35B  Related Images; 

 

 

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Panetta Lauds First International F-35 Delivery To UK

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Panetta Lauds First International F-35 Delivery To UK

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Cheryl Pellerin - American Forces Press Service
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 18, 2012: After a meeting this morning with the United Kingdom’s top defense official, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lauded an important milestone in the U.S.-U.K. defense relationship.

Tomorrow in Fort Worth, Texas, British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond will take the first international delivery of an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Panetta told reporters at a Pentagon news conference alongside his British counterpart.

“The United Kingdom was the first partner nation to join the F-35 program and has been a tremendous partner throughout the development, testing, and the initial production,” the secretary added.

Hammond, who joined Panetta for a working breakfast, said, “I look forward to seeing [the supersonic stealth fighter] in operation later on today at [Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland] and then picking up our first test aircraft tomorrow … at Fort Worth.”

The aircraft’s multiyear system development and demonstration period involves development and testing of the entire aircraft system, including its manufacture.

Along with the United States and the United Kingdom, other nations partnering in this phase of F-35 development are Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia. As partners, the countries can bid for work and participate in the aircraft’s development.

Israel and Singapore agreed to join the program as security cooperation participants, entitled to delivery priorities, certain program information and country-specific F-35 technical studies.

“The United Kingdom was the first partner nation to join the F-35 program and has been a tremendous partner throughout the development, testing and initial production,” Panetta told reporters.

“I'm pleased by the significant progress that the program has made across all the service variants, particularly in the past year,” he said, adding that despite a long road still ahead, progress is being made in testing and stabilizing future F-35 production and sustainment plans.

“The F-35 represents, I believe, the future of tactical aviation for both of our armed services,” Panetta said. “This advanced aircraft's air superiority, its precision strike capability will help ensure our dominance of the skies for years to come.”

Hammond said the British armed forces will continue close collaboration with the United States as its most important defense relationship, building on the shared experience of a decade fighting together in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our wide-ranging intelligence relationship, our joint work on the F-35B, regenerating the U.K.'s carrier strike capability, and of course the work on the nuclear deterrent and the common missile compartment -- all [are] crucial keystones of our relationship,” he said.

Hammond added that he has assurances at the highest levels that the F-35 program is now on track and doing very well.

“It went through a period 18 months or so ago when it was placed on probation because of some technical difficulties [but] it's come out of those,” he said.

The aircraft’s B variant now has clocked more than 1,000 hours of flying time and the U.S. Marine Corps is successfully flying it from ships, Hammond said.

He said the U.S. Defense Department has been “massively supportive of [the project] and is providing us with all sorts of facilities to maintain and regenerate our capabilities to operate a carrier flight deck and to maintain the skills in our pilots, many of whom are now flying with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to keep those skills alive.”

Panetta said he’s made it clear that the F-35 fighter plane is critical to a future defense strategy that depends on agility, flexibility and the ability to stay on the cutting edge of technology.

“We're committed to all three [F-35] variants because we think each of the forces will be able to use that kind of weaponry for the future so that we can effectively control the skies as we confront the enemies of tomorrow,” Panetta said.

The secretary said he’s confident “that we're going to be able, working with industry, working with Congress, to meet our full commitment with regards to the joint strike fighter.”

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Cheryl Pellerin - American Forces Press Service
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Two Lockheed Martin F-35Bs Ferried To Eglin, Marking 25th DOD Delivery

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Two Lockheed Martin F-35Bs Ferried To Eglin, Marking 25th DOD Delivery
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 11, 2012: Two Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) production aircraft were ferried to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., today, marking the 24th and 25th F-35 deliveries to the Department of Defense. 

The 5th Generation multirole fighter jets were delivered to the United States Marine Corps and are now assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 501 residing with the host 33d Fighter Wing.

U.S. Marine Corps pilots Maj. Joseph Bachmann and Lt. Col. Matt Kelly piloted the aircraft, known as BF-9 and BF-10 respectively, which departed Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas at 1:26 p.m. and 1:42 p.m. CDT for an approximate 90-minute flight to Florida’s Emerald Coast. The jets became the 10th and 11th F-35s to join Eglin’s fleet. Both jets will be used for pilot and maintainer training at the F-35 Integrated Training Center there.  

One additional STOVL production jet, BF-11, will join the fleet at Eglin in the coming days. All three jets were formally accepted by the U.S. Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) on behalf of the Marine Corps with the signing of Department of Defense Form 250 (DD-250). 


BF-9 and BF-10 were accepted May 4 while BF-11 was accepted May 5. Prior to acceptance, the three F-35Bs underwent a series of company and government checkout flights at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least nine other countries.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Pentagon Helps New Stealth Fighter Cheat On Key Performance Test

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Pentagon Helps New Stealth Fighter Cheat On Key Performance Test
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources David Axe - Wired
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 7, 2012: It seemed like a promising step for America’s next stealth fighter: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter passed a key Pentagon test of its combat capability. But it turns out that the family of jets cleared the mid-February exam only because its proctor agreed to inflate its grade. In essence, the military helped the F-35 cheat on its midterms.

The collusion between the Pentagon testing body, known as the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC), and the F-35 program — first reported by Inside Defense – confirmed that the US’ most expensive warplane met previously established performance criteria. Specifically, the review was meant to show that the jet can fly as far and take off as quickly as combat commanders say they need it to.

But the review council, which includes the vice chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, eased the standard flying profile of the Air Force’s F-35A model — thereby giving it a range boost of 30 miles. And it tacked an additional 15m onto the required takeoff distance for the Marines’ F-35B version, which US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta just took off budgetary probation.

The grade inflation comes at a critical time for the new warplane. The military’s new five-year budgeting blueprint, also released in February, cut more than 100 existing Air Force fighters while leaving intact plans to produce nearly 2500 F-35s — essentially doubling down on the new plane despite a recent report listing13 serious design flaws. The total cost to buy and fly the full fleet of F-35s over 50 years is estimated at around $US1 trillion, once inflation is factored in, making it the costliest defence program in human history.

In fairness, it’s not unknown for capability standards, also known as “Key Performance Parameters”, to shift during a weapon’s development. But the shifts usually reflect the evolving needs of the military or some change in the operational environment, such as a likely enemy tweaking its own defence plans. In this case, the JROC gave the F-35 a pass that was apparently designed so the over-weight, over-budget, long-delayed stealth fighter could avoid yet another embarrassing scandal.

Citing earlier efforts to boost the Joint Strike Fighter’s image, defence analyst Winslow Wheeler accused the Pentagon of “putting lipstick on the pig”. That’s an apt characterization of recent moves by the Pentagon’s F-35 boosters.

Last month, the Marine Corps held a lavish ceremony marking the arrival of two F-35 training models at the main Joint Strike Fighter “schoolhouse” in Florida. “It’s a significant jump in technology,” said Marine Lt Col David Berke, who neglected to mention that the training jets were not even cleared to fly locally. That clearance came a couple of weeks later, but again with an asterisk: Only specially qualified test pilots would be permitted to fly the jets, for now.

Increasingly, it seems the F-35 only passes tests when the tests are rigged. The good news for the fighter program typically comes with buried caveats. In response to Wheeler’s criticism, Stephen O’Bryan, then a vice president for stealth-fighter contractor Lockheed Martin, insisted that “the F-35 is meeting or exceeding every single one of the Key Performance Parameters that the services have mandated”. Of course, it’s easy to ace a test when the teacher’s already decided you passed.

     
*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources David Axe - Wired
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