Norway May Upgrade F-16s, Put Off New Fighters

(Source: Aftenposten; issued April 18, 2008)

Just 10 days before the bidding deadline, Norwegian finance minister Kristin Halvorsen has said maybe the country's old planes can be upgraded, pushing the planned purchase contract into the future.

This comes after the competing companies, Lockheed Martin of the US and Saab of Sweden, have used millions of dollars in marketing their respective concepts, and prepared thousands and thousands of pages of documents to support their bids.

Lockheed Martin is vying for the contract with its Joint Strike Fighter proposal, while Saab is putting forth its JAS Gripen, which it claims it can deliver for a far lower price than Lockheed's offer.

The bidding process so far has been fraught with controversy. The European consortium offering its Eurofighter withdrew as a result of alleged favouritism towards the Americans.

Sweden's bidding is thought to be hindered by the country not being a member of NATO.

"We need to consider the costs to upgrade the fighter jets we have, so that they can be used for some years longer, or if we should go for more investment now. If we go for new investment, we must consider the price, and the quality, of the different choices," said Finance Minister Halvorsen.

When asked if this means a postponement of the new fighter plane project, Halvorsen answered: "It's a real possibility."

She added: "It depends on how much it costs to upgrade the F-16s to the standard we need, how long they will hold up in quality, and the costs of this against those of buying new airplanes."

-ends-

BAE Starts Manufacture of First F-35 Production Aircraft

Source: BAE Systems; issued April 18, 2008)

MANCHESTER, England --- BAE Systems has cut metal on its first component for the F-35 Lightning II production aircraft. This opening cut, on a component part of the aft fuselage, signifies a major milestone for the F-35 Lightning II programme.

The metal cut is for the first production F-35 Lightning II aircraft which will enter into service with the US Air Force (USAF) in 2010 and follows the production contract announcement made in December last year. The contract - a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract - is worth £25m to BAE Systems and will see the production of two conventional take off and landing variants.

The component was cut by BAE Systems’ supplier Hyde, at their Manchester factory. The component will move to BAE Systems’ Samlesbury site in Lancashire for further manufacturing work before all parts are assembled together before being shipped to programme partner, Lockheed Martin’s site in Texas for final assembly.

Tom Fillingham, F-35 Lightning II Managing Director said: “This is a proud and important moment for BAE Systems. We are progressing well through the development stage of the F-35 Lightning II programme and now, concurrently with development aircraft manufacture, we are producing the first production aircraft. This is a clear signal of how mature the product is at this early stage of its life.”

Three versions of the F-35 Lightning II are planned: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV). Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 JSF meets the performance needs of the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defence forces worldwide, while staying within strict affordability targets.

BAE Systems Inc in the US also brings key capabilities to the F-35 programme and delivers significant elements of the programme including electronic warfare, advanced low observable apertures, advanced countermeasure systems, vehicle management computer and active inceptor systems.

The latest financial report is also showing the program will come in under budget, and as production gets under way, the costs will continue to drop.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
Norway May Upgrade F-16s, Put Off New Fighters

(Source: Aftenposten; issued April 18, 2008)

Just 10 days before the bidding deadline, Norwegian finance minister Kristin Halvorsen has said maybe the country's old planes can be upgraded, pushing the planned purchase contract into the future.

This comes after the competing companies, Lockheed Martin of the US and Saab of Sweden, have used millions of dollars in marketing their respective concepts, and prepared thousands and thousands of pages of documents to support their bids.

-update-


Sweden Offers 48 Gripen Fighters to Norway, Promises Over 100% Offsets

(Source: Swedish Ministry of Defence; issued April 28, 2008)

Today Sweden presented a bid to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence offering joint development, and sale to Norway, of 48 Gripen aircraft. The bid also includes support equipment, support systems and coordinated training, maintenance and support, which would have major advantages for both Sweden and Norway.

Delivery to Norway is scheduled to begin in 2016 and extend over a period of several years. Sweden intends to use a number of Gripen aircraft of the same version specified in the bid, provided Norway accepts the offer. The offer falls within the existing economic plan for the Gripen system. If Norway accepts the offer contract negotiations will follow, after which the Riksdag must give its approval in necessary areas.

"Gripen is very competitive and is attracting much increased international interest. The reasons are obvious. The system has verifiable purchase and operating costs, as well as a good record of industrial cooperation and technical development together with other countries. Gripen is a high-tech, tried and tested system that fully meets Norway´s requirements. Moreover, it has full NATO interoperability", says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors.

The offer also contains a number of proposals on possible areas for deeper cooperation between Swedish and Norwegian authorities. These proposals concern defence research and military technology development, security and safety technology, logistics, training and joint exercises.

"Sweden´s ability to offer Gripen as an option for Norway confirms the strong links and good relations between our countries. We face new challenges and opportunities in our region. Nordic defence cooperation is steadily growing and is a key area of development for defence policy. If Norway chooses Gripen this will be highly significant for defence policy," says Mr Tolgfors.

The Defence Materiel Administration and the Government Offices will work with the Norwegian evaluation team until 1 August 2008 to further elaborate and specify the proposed possibilities for cooperation. The Norwegian Government aims to submit a proposal to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) so that it can take a decision in the first half of 2009. (ends)


Sweden’s offer of 48 Gripen fighters to Norway includes joint development of the next-generation variant of the aircraft. (Gripen Int’l illustration)

quote:

Originally posted by Torch8306:
The latest financial report is also showing the program will come in under budget, and as production gets under way, the costs will continue to drop.

I don't know how that is possible since they haven't produced a flyable VTOL version yet. They built the prototype VTOL for the contract bidding, but haven't made one since. The refueling receptacle is the exact same spot as the Intake for VTOL. Guess they pulled the sheets over our eyes again.

Ye of little faith, Caninedale...

Don't you know that if the public relations folks at Corporate put it out in a press release, that it has just GOT to be true???

I did see in the media that they actually did an engine run on the engine that will be used in the airframe whenever they get that built.

Since the F-35A will start production, I would assume they're basing their projections from this assembly. I haven't read anyone ordering the VTOL besides the USMC and Royal Navy. Plus, the refueling receptacle for the VTOL will be a retractable probe from the side of the fuselage, as are the ones on all the other Navy/Marine fighter aircraft.
The Air Force is the only version using the top mount refueling point and the tanker boom. The Navy, Marines, and foreign nations use the drogue basket for refueling. It would be rather difficult for carrier based aircraft to have a refueling boom attached to fighter aircraft, wouldn't it?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-35b.htm
Third paragraph.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Torch8306,

Of course it will use probe/drouge refueling. That article makes it sound like there is a flyable aircraft though. The unique thing with the B-model is it is a totally different airframe from the A model. When Lokheed sold this plane as one, it was sort of a false notion. It will be differnt from the ground up. Not the same engine, fuselage, or landing gear. The only thing similar will be the forwarde cockpit. So they basicall sold the govt two aircraft not one. Oh yeah...this is still all theory as they haven't even produced one yet.

quote:

Oh yeah...this is still all theory as they haven't even produced one yet.

You mean this one?

Is that a true flyable version? Or is it a wind tunnel body? If you read this article you will see a bunch of dates listed. It was supposed to start hover checks in April 2008. On May 1, 2008 they actually did the first engine run. Sounds like they are about a five months behind even getting an engine in a plane.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/071219-f-35b-st...version-rollout.html

That's true, the pictures are from pretest models. The two, currently flying, are "A" models. Though the VTOL used for contract award wasn't a preproduction model, it still proved it's abilities. Adding the fuselage probe won't even be an issue for the "B" and "C" models.

Lockheed Wins $197M for JSF Long-Lead Items

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued May 14, 2008)

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an advance acquisition contract with an estimated value of $197,050,000 for long lead materials and effort associated with the Joint Strike Fighter Air System Low Rate Initial Production Lot III procurement of 8 Air Force Conventional Take Off and Landing, 8 Marine Corps Short Take-off and Vertical Landing and 2 United Kingdom, STOVL aircraft.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom, (20 percent); Orlando, Fla., (10 percent); Nashua, N.H., (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md., (5 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0028).

-ends-

Lockheed Wins Order for 12 F-35s; $2.2Bn Funds JSF Lot 2 Production

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 22, 2008)

FORT WORTH, Texas --- The United States Department of Defense has authorized the release of funds to buy six conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A Lightning IIs for the U.S. Air Force, with provisional approval to purchase six short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs for the U.S. Marine Corps following a senior leadership review and the inaugural flight of that variant.

The 12 aircraft will be built in the second phase of F-35 low-rate initial production (LRIP 2).

The $2.2 billion contract authorization comes after the Defense Acquisition Board's recommendation to release the funds and proceed with production.

"We welcome the board's decision and their vote of confidence in the F-35 program," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. "We're seeing excellent progress on our production line, with 17 preproduction aircraft in assembly flow, the first two production-model F-35s already under way and unprecedented assembly quality across the board."

Long-lead funds of $197 million for LRIP 3 were released on May 14 for at least 18 additional F-35s. The LRIP I contract for the first two F-35A production aircraft was finalized and issued in July 2007.

The first F-35A test aircraft has completed 40 flights and has exceeded performance and reliability expectations. The inaugural flight of the first F-35B is on schedule for late spring/early summer.


The Pentagon has released funding for six more F-35As (above); funds for the Marine Corps’ first six F-35B STOVL fighters will be released only after the variant’s first flight, due in June. (Lockheed Martin photo)

Man I love the F-35 since it will be the second best fighter in the world that only the F-22 is better.

Dutch Party Softens Opposition to JSF

(Source: Netherlands Information Service; issued May 29, 2008)

THE HAGUE --- The Labour (PvdA) coalition party does not appear to want to create a crisis over the cabinet's decision to participate in the next phase of the Joint Strike Fighter. This means the Lower House is likely to back the purchase of these US fighter aircraft by the Netherlands.

Defence State Secretary Jack de Vries wants to promise the aircraft builder, Lockheed Martin, that the Netherlands along with other customers will together take a guaranteed 1,000 JSF aircraft. If the Netherlands and the other customers promise this, the manufacturer is prepared to set a fixed price in which the development costs are more fairly divided between the customers, the state secretary said in the Lower House.

De Vries did not yet wish to say how many JSFs he wants to purchase. In the corridors, there is talk of 57 aircraft. These are in due course to replace the F-16 fleet.

The cabinet agreed in the coalition accord - a very rigid document - that it will make a decision on the purchase of a "first batch" of JSF aircraft during the current administrative period to 2011. The decision is expected to be made in 2010.

PvdA was previously an opponent of the JSF but feels itself bound by the coalition accord. On Tuesday evening, the PvdA did demand an external investigation of alternatives to the JSF. But yesterday, it no longer found this necessary.

De Vries does support an investigation, but not by external experts. PvdA MP Angeline Eijsink reluctantly agreed that the Christian democrat (CDA) state secretary would carry out the study himself. She "trusts" that De Vries is in a position to guarantee the independence of the research.

Eijsink wants De Vries to investigate seven alternative fighter aircraft, of which the Eurofighter is one. But Eijsink did not want to name the other six aircraft. De Vries reacted with irritation. He said he expected the House to know what it was talking about.

The House will vote today on the question and on De Vries' wish to participate in the test phase of the JSF. He wants to sign a declaration of intend this month for the purchase of two test aircraft for 274 million euros.

The Socialist Party (SP), leftwing Greens (GroenLinks) and Party for Freedom (PVV) are opposed to Dutch participation in the test phase. The CDA, conservatives (VVD) and small Christian parties ChristenUnie and SGP are in favour. The PvdA's support is essential for this participation.

-ends-

Lockheed Martin F-35B Succeeds in STOVL Propulsion Ground Test

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 29, 2008)

FORT WORTH, Texas --- The shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system that will enable the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings (STOVL) operated for the first time in the aircraft during ground testing on Sunday, May 25. At full power, the F-35B's system generates more than 40,000 pounds of lifting force, or about 170 percent more than current-generation STOVL fighters.

Pilot Graham Tomlinson of BAE Systems performed two conversions from conventional (wing-borne) to STOVL (jet-borne) mode with the aircraft anchored to a specially instrumented hover pit at Lockheed Martin's STOVL Operations Test Facility. The F-35B is conducting a final series of ground tests before its first flight in the coming weeks.

"The F-35B's STOVL propulsion system operated exactly as expected, providing the power output that our models forecast and transitioning very smoothly from conventional to STOVL-mode and back," said Bobby Williams, Lockheed Martin vice president and F-35 deputy program manager. "We expect the same kind of seamless transition when the F-35B begins STOVL-mode flights in early 2009."

The F-35B combines the profound advantages of stealth and supersonic speed with the ability to operate from small ships and austere bases near front lines.

The F-35B STOVL propulsion system has logged more than 1,900 hours of operation on test stands. In 2001 the X-35B, a proof-of-concept STOVL aircraft using a prototype of the same propulsion system, completed 14 short takeoffs, 17 vertical takeoffs and 27 vertical landings. On July 20, 2001, the X-35B became the first aircraft in history to perform a short takeoff, accelerate to supersonic speed in level flight and descend for a vertical landing in a single mission.

The STOVL propulsion system comprises a Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine, a drive shaft leading from the engine face to a gear box and clutch connecting to a counter-rotating Rolls-Royce lift fan located directly behind the cockpit, a 3-bearing swivel duct at the rear that vectors the engine thrust downward and provides yaw control, and a roll nozzle under each wing for lateral stability.

During the conversion from conventional flight to STOVL flight, all doors associated with the STOVL propulsion system begin to open including the lift fan inlet and exhaust doors, the roll-nozzle doors, the auxiliary-inlet doors atop the fuselage (providing increased efficiency to the main engine) and the aft fuselage 3-bearing swivel duct doors. The 3-bearing swivel duct begins vectoring engine thrust downward as well. Once all doors are open, the clutch engages and the lift fan begins turning. As the lift fan reaches full speed the clutch locks, providing a direct physical connection between engine and lift fan. The aircraft control laws then begin using the STOVL propulsion system to provide aircraft flight control. The system operates automatically at the touch of a button.

The F-35B will operate in conventional mode during its initial series of flights to evaluate overall flying qualities and airworthiness. In preparation for the F-35B's first flight, pilot Tomlinson flew the F-35A for the first time on May 28, assessing the aircraft's handling at various power settings. In early 2009, the F-35B will conduct initial STOVL flight operations before moving to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., for further testing.

Sunday's test marked the first use of the newly constructed hover pit and its supporting facilities. "Our aim is to retire technical risk well before we deliver F-35s to the fleet," Williams said. "Our investment in facilities like the hover pit are helping us do just that while building confidence in the test program."

Like I said above. Not impressed as it was supposed to be doing hover checks by April 1, 2008 according to the origional schedule. I would be suprised if it meets a one year late timeline.

Overall projected costs have been revised down .3% or about $1 billion. The decrease was due to lower than anticipated support costs, labor rates, and learning curve improvements...
According to MG Charles Davis, program executive officer, the GAO estimates that the program costs increased $38 billion was unsound, since they didn't develop their own numbers, had no basis for their conclusions, and no numbers to support their claim.
Calls have been made for the GAO to be shaken up for precisely problems like this. The "Watch Dog" is failing at their job.

And aren't they the same ones who will determine whether the tanker contract award was flawed and should be re-bid?

quote:

And aren't they the same ones who will determine whether the tanker contract award was flawed and should be re-bid?

Exactly!

F-35B launched for about an hour on it's first test flight without any glitches. STOVL testing will begin in 2009.
Article on mil.com Home page.

F-35B Lightning II Test a Success

quote:

excerpt...

The test flight marks the beginning of a crucial period in the development program in the next 18 to 24 months.

The F-35B flown Wednesday is the short-takeoff-vertical-landing (STOVL) version, designed for use by the Marines as well as the British and Italian navies. It is the most technically and aerodynamically complex of the three models.

The aircraft is the first to incorporate major design changes launched midway through the program in 2004 to reduce weight and enable the plane to meet requirements for range and weapons payload.

Lockheed and the other contractors face a challenging schedule. By the end of 2009, they are to have delivered all 18 test aircraft, 12 for flight and six for ground testing. Several planes will need to be in flight testing, proving the plane's airworthiness and capabilities.

Any further delays or technical problems could leave the program subject to budget cuts by the U.S. government, and delayed or even canceled purchase plans by foreign governments.

F-35 Offers Multirole Surprises

Aviation Week's DTI | David A. Fulghum | June 20, 2008

This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily and Defense Report.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will "redefine the concept of multirole strike" aircraft, Lockheed Martin officials say, but they offer few details to flesh out that claim.

Still, while the future concept of operations, electronic attack (EA) capability and derivative options remain undefined, at least publicly, some capabilities can be picked out of their purposely vague descriptions.

Starting from the notion that new hardware is the least likely addition to the aircraft and that it has an open architecture for avionics, look for the big multirole capability additions to involve electronic attack.

Because of the ability to penetrate while using low-probability-of-intercept radar and passive sensors, the JSF will not operate in proximity to current, so-called fourth-generation aircraft. It will instead roam well-defended enemy airspace while feeding precision targeting data to nonstealthy aircraft with standoff-range weapons.

Tailored for EA

The F-35 aircraft is being designed to deliver electronic attack (jamming, spoofing and pulses of energy) with the same ease that it can deliver explosive weapons. Moreover, Lockheed officials say the F-35 -- first of all a combat aircraft -- will have full 360-degree awareness of what is going on around it.

That presents an interesting dilemma for EA versus kinetic weaponry. The new AIM-9X air-to-air missile can perform high off-boresight shots without turning the aircraft's nose toward the target. However, delivering electronic effects require specialized antennae pointed toward the target. As far as is known, JSF has only its advanced active, electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar antenna in the nose to pump out its electronic firepower. It would then have the weakness of any AESA array in that it is flat with a field of view of less than 180 degrees, perhaps an effective field of regard for effective attack of 60-90 degrees.

Some radar specialists and Air Force planners already say they anticipate flying the F-35s in line, with the first aircraft being passive and the second emitting and passing target information to the first so that it can remain undetected. Therefore, it appears that without an add-on antenna, the JSF's EA capability will be limited to the forward quarter.

However, within that field the electronic effects generator can be routed through the AESA radar, which allows the F-35 to invade, blind or fool enemy sensors and radars at ranges of up to hundreds of miles.

Sensors

Lockheed officials do admit that the F-35's sensor capabilities include advanced electronic surveillance allowing development of an instantaneous electronic order of battle -- what's emitting and from where.

Along with EA, the JSF will take on the mission of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. So instead of depending on a few specialized high-demand aircraft like Rivet Joint (for signals intelligence), Cobra Ball (measurement and signature intelligence) or Compass Call (EA) that can't venture into enemy airspace, a fleet of F-35s will be able to conduct those missions deep into enemy territory to take advantage of physics (by being nearer the targets) while deepening the areas of surveillance.

They won't say if information warfare is part of the package. Info warfare is generally the bailiwick of Commando Solo and Compass Call (including network penetration and attack), but with software upgrades radar specialists expect the capability to appear soon.

Australia Leans Toward F-35

July 11, 2008
AAP
LINK

FORT WORTH, Texas - Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter will probably form part of Australia's future air force, but he's not prepared to sign on the dotted line until satisfied about price, capability and delivery schedule.

Speaking after touring the Lockheed Martin production line at Fort Worth, Texas, and being briefed by Lockheed officials, Fitzgibbon said new combat aircraft could cost up to $16 billion, the largest single defense outlay in Australia's history.

"We remain an enthusiastic development partner which is a relatively cheap process for Australia," he told AAP.

"If I was a betting man I would say the Joint Strike Fighter will end up part of Australia's air combat capability mix."

Fitzgibbon said he was determined to ensure no final commitment was made until Australia's future needs were spelled out in the Air Capability Review and the Defense White Paper. Both are set to be released early next year.

"That is the message I took to Texas today," he said.

"I am certainly not going to sign on the dotted line before I am sure that they are capable of delivering the capability promised in a timely manner and until I have got greater certainty on cost."

Fitzgibbon said Lockheed was obviously very keen for Australia to lock into a contract but understood it was responsible for Australia to wait.

The F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter is an advanced, stealthy, multi-role aircraft which in Australian service would replace ageing F-111 bombers and F/A-18 fighters from around the middle of next decade.

Australia is considering buying 100 aircraft with the first to come off the line in 2013. But no contract has been signed as yet, although Australia has contributed around $400 million to development costs.

Fitzgibbon rejected opposition suggestions that he should commit to the project.

"At this stage it's absolutely unnecessary to do so," he said. "I am absolutely going to reject any process that leads to another Seasprite debacle."

Fitzgibbon said he was happy that Lockheed and international partners were working together to get around cost concerns, particularly the risk that early parti****nts such as Australian will pay more.

"I am feeling more confident about a good outcome there now," he said.

"Schedule remains a concern to me because this is a developmental project. No one can really predict with any certainty when they will deliver and things along the way can affect schedule."

Head of the Defense Materiel Organisation Stephen Gumley told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that Australia could expect to pay no more than $75 million per JSF which was affordable.

JSF Scores Best In Candidate Comparison


(Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 18, 2009)


The F-35, better known as the Joint Strike Fighter, best meets the requirements drawn up by the Netherlands for the successor to the F16. This emerges from the findings of the candidate comparison that the State Secretary for Defence, Jack de Vries, today sent to the House of Representatives.

“The F-35 is the best multi-role combat aircraft and by around 2015 will certainly be able to carry out all six main missions successfully.” The F-35 also has the greatest operational availability. In addition, the capital costs of the F-35 are the lowest and it is anticipated that the total life-cycle costs will also be the lowest.

The completion of the candidate comparison marks the fulfillment of the commitment made to the House of Representatives to carry out such a comparison prior to the definitive acquisition of the two JSF test aircraft. This is planned to take place by the end of April 2009 at the latest.

The candidate comparison follows on from the candidate evaluation of 2001, from which the Joint Strike Fighter also emerged as the best aircraft for the best price. In 2002 the Cabinet decided to participate in the development of this fighter aircraft. This decision was largely based on the wish to give the Dutch aviation industry an opportunity to win orders in this project.

In the present government coalition agreement it is stated that in 2010 the cabinet will take a final decision regarding the replacement of the F-16 on the basis of a comparison of quality, price and delivery time. The Joint Strike Fighter scored the best for all three criteria.

The comparative study, between the Advanced F-16, de F-35 and the Gripen Next Generation, was carried out in cooperation with TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Laboratory) and was monitored by the audit services of the Defence organisation and the Ministry of Economic Affairs).

At the request of the House of Representatives, the firm of RAND Europe also followed the course of the comparative study. In their reports, both the audit services and RAND consider that the candidate comparison was carried out transparently and objectively and that the reports contain an accurate account of the results of the comparison.

On account of the lengthy period of thirty years over which the project will extend, the calculation of total life-cycle costs includes an allowance for uncertainties.


-ends-


A month after Norway, the Netherlands have also confirmed their choice of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (Lockheed Martin photo)

AA-1 just completed it's first supersonic test flight in November. Had not flown, since it's in air engine restarts in October.

AWST reports Eglin will host all three services training squadrons, until environmental studies are completed, starting in 2010 and completing delivery of all training aircraft by 2013.
The F135 is louder than the F100 and F110 on the F-15 and F-16, and equally as loud as the F-119 and F414 engines of the F-22 and F/A-18 Super Hornet. The Marine Corps may move to Beaufort, SC, if they're training is too constricted.

The city of Valpriso was actually considering sueing the AF for falsifying reports on noise polution. They have since changed their mind as soon as the AF started considering other bases for F-35 training. Very big and public news here at Eglin. They decided the noise wasn't as bad as losing the 33FW with no replacement.

quote:

Originally posted by caninedale:
The city of Valpriso was actually considering sueing the AF for falsifying reports on noise polution. They have since changed their mind as soon as the AF started considering other bases for F-35 training. Very big and public news here at Eglin. They decided the noise wasn't as bad as losing the 33FW with no replacement.

Isn't that always the way. Anytime a base has a problem with a town all they have to do is shut the gates and allow nobody off base for a day or two and the town is crying for all the lost income.

Lockheed Rolls Out JSF Radar-Signature Test Aircraft; Meets Schedule Commitment

(Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; issued June 15, 2009)


FORT WORTH, Texas and PARIS --- A detailed, full-scale representation of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter rolled out of the Fort Worth factory today, with production-representative Very Low Observable airframe structure and coatings. Along with dedicated flight test aircraft, the model will be a key component in validating the F-35's radar-evading properties.

"Today's milestone is the realization of an F-35 test schedule commitment we made more than two years ago," said Dan Crowley, F-35 executive vice president and program manager for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike fighter program. "We continue to achieve outstanding progress in F-35 design, development, production, ground test and early flight test."

J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 Development, said the F-35 Highly Accurate Low Observable (HALO) radar pole model is fully representative of the F-35's radar signature. "The aircraft will be used in tests that provide data about the radar-signature characteristics of the F-35 aircraft family."

Initial testing of the model will occur in Lockheed Martin's new Acceptance Test Facility in Fort Worth - a radio frequency-secure building - with follow-on testing conducted at a remote site. The Acceptance Test Facility will be used to provide the required data on the stealth performance of all F-35s before delivery. At the remote site, the model will be affixed to a tall pole and tested in the open air, hence the term "pole model."

Crowley said the program is making crucial progress across all fronts. "All nine F-35 partners are on track with the United States, Italy and Norway having down-selected to the F-35. We are on track to support the Low Rate Initial Production delivery plan and to meet the Initial Operational Capability dates of the services. Test aircraft are returning from missions without technical problems in 80 percent of our flights. Engine performance has been flawless in flight. The first eight development aircraft all were delivered within 60 days on average of the schedule we committed to in February 2008, and the list goes on."

Key partners in the construction of the model included Janicki Industries, Fain Models and Northrop Grumman.

First Order for JSF Helmet-Mounted Displays

(Source: Elbit Systems Ltd; issued June 16, 2009)

HAIFA, Israel --- Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that its joint venture with Rockwell Collins, Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), has received several new contracts with a total value of more than $54.1 million relating to the F-35 aircraft.

The contracts received from Lockheed Martin Corporation, include the delivery of 52 F-35 Helmet Mounted Displays and 30 additional aircraft systems. VSI also received initial funding for the Pilot Fit Facility Standup at Eglin Air Force Base for the F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System program.

Delivery under the contracts will commence this year and continue through 2012.

Reality Check: JSF’s Phantom Export Variant

(Source: defense-aerospace.com; published June 18, 2009)

PARIS --- Is the United States developing a “dumbed-down” version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters for export customers, or not?

Brigadier Gen. David Heinz, program executive officer for the F-35, rejected a claim by Boeing executives that Washington was selling a "dumbed down" version of the F-35 to international partners, Reuters reported June 16 from the Paris Air Show.

"I state categorically that I am not doing a different variant of aircraft for my international partners today," Reuters quoted Heinz as saying in an interview. He said foreign countries who bought the F-35 would be subject to a U.S. disclosure process and U.S. export controls, but [that] the aircraft being sold today were the same airplanes that were also being built for the U.S. military services.


"So for Boeing to make statements about a 'dumbed down' variant ... is absolutely incorrect and it is speculative and I believe, a very disappointing marketing ploy to drum up business" [for its F-15 Silent Eagle], Heinz added.

Heinz appears to be suffering a bad case of memory lapse, however, as the Pentagon has in fact awarded Lockheed Martin two separate contracts, worth a total of $737 million, to develop such an export version of JSF or, in Pentagon-speak, to “design, develop, verify and test a version of the JSF air system that is as common as possible to the U.S. air system within the National Disclosure Policy.” This version is designated “International Partner Version.” (see below).

As we noted in a Nov. 26, 2007 story on the subject, “This raises the question of exactly how this degraded “Delta SDD” version will differ from the standard US version, and which capabilities and features will be removed to comply with US national disclosure policy. Given that the JSF’s high-tech features, including stealth, and the capabilities of its electronic systems are the prime reasons which attracted foreign partners in the first place, it remains to be seen whether they will remain as committed to a degraded, less capable yet more expensive aircraft.” This still stands today.


Heinz’s categorical June 16 statement to Reuters can be read to imply either that work on the JSF export version has been dropped as quietly as it was originally launched, or that the JSF program office is trying to keep it secret so as not to scare off potential export customers who might not be interested in a “dumbed-down,” less capable aircraft.

In any case, a clarification is urgently needed.



These are the two contracts awarded to date for the JSF’s export version:

November 10, 2003

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $602,594,580 cost-plus-award-fee modification against a previously awarded contract (N00019-02-C-3002) for the procurement of supplies and services to support the performance of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) International Partner Version Delta Systems development and demonstration effort.

Lockheed Martin will design, develop, verify and test a version of the JSF air system that is as common as possible to the U.S. air system within the National Disclosure Policy.

Lockheed Martin will also implement a manned tactical simulation (MTS) capability, hold MTS events for the international partners on the JSF Program and conduct planning for future efforts and upgrades.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (83 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (10 percent); and Orlando, Fla. (7 percent), and is expected to be completed by April 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.


November 15, 2007

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Ft. Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $134,188,724 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002).

This modification is to continue the design, development, verification, and test of Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Partner Version Air System development under the JSF Delta System Development and Demonstration Effort (Delta SDD).

The purpose of the Delta SDD is to develop a version of the JSF Air System that meets U.S. National Disclosure Policy, but remains common to the U.S. Air System, where possible.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (68 percent), Orlando, Fla. (24 percent), and El Segundo, Calif. (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

-ends-

Finland in Talks with US on "Possible" F-35 Purchase -Bloomberg

(Source: STT Finnish Government news; issued June 22, 2009)

Finland is among a number of countries engaged in government talks with Washington as a potential buyer of Lockheed-Martin's new F-35 strike fighter, US news group Bloomberg quoted Dan Crowley, the company's F-35 programme manager, as saying on Wednesday.

Bloomberg also quoted Brigadier-General David Heinz, the top F-35 official at the US defence department, as saying that potential export customers included Finland. The Finnish Air Force had expressed interest in the F-35 last year.

However, Colonel Juha Suonperä of the FAF dismissed the Bloomberg report as unfounded. "There are no talks whatsoever; neither the [defence] ministry nor the Air Force is in talks with anybody over fighter procurement," Col Suonperä said.

He added that talks on replacing the FAF's current mainstay of F/A-18 aircraft in about 2030 would be initiated in about five years' time.

-ends-

F-35 Radar's Electronic Protection Capabilities Validated During Northern Edge 2009 Exercise

(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued July 3, 2009)

LINTHICUM, Md. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation has announced that it successfully demonstrated key electronic protection capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II's AN/APG-81 radar during the recent Northern Edge 2009 (NE09) joint military exercise.

The Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar was flown on board the company's BAC 1-11 test aircraft and was integrated into what is considered the United States' largest and most complex airborne electronic warfare (EW) exercise to date. Northrop Grumman demonstrated the electronic protection (EP) capabilities of the AN/APG-81, by successfully countering advanced electronic attacks (EA), which are intended to degrade, neutralize, or destroy friendly combat capability.

"This event represents a major milestone in electronic protection testing for the AN/APG-81 in an operationally representative environment. We have been able to prove a number of EP capabilities years ahead of normal development timelines," said Teri Marconi, vice president of Combat Avionics for Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems sector. "The AN/APG-81 is the world's most advanced fighter fire control radar. It has extremely robust electronic warfare capabilities, and these tests validate years of laboratory testing versus a wide array of threat systems."

"The radar was subjected to a scale of scenarios that far exceeded typical developmental or operational test program requirements," said Pete Bartos, a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 operational test director and currently Northrop Grumman program manager for fifth-generation fighter requirements, improvements and derivatives. "In the past, typical EP testing consisted of a few sorties versus a single or maybe two jammers at once. This test was unique in that it included flights versus multiple types of advanced jammers on several aircraft formations at once."

The AN/APG-81 radar is currently undergoing integrated avionics flight testing aboard the Lockheed Martin Cooperative Avionics Test Bed (CATBird) aircraft, and is being installed in production F-35s on the aircraft assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. The AN/APG-81 is designed and produced by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector.

Northern Edge 2009 is a joint field training exercise incorporating over 9,000 warfighters supervised by the Joint Electronic Protection for Air Combat (JEPAC). NE09 provided an operationally representative training environment that integrated over a dozen types of U.S. fighter and bomber aircraft as well as an entire U.S. Navy carrier strike group. Large force air, land, and sea combat scenarios along with airborne interdiction of maritime target scenarios provided unparalleled opportunities for warfighters to 'train-as-they-fight' in a complex radio frequency environment.