First F-35 "dropped" in UPT last night

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Bullet

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It's official, folks. During last night's "Drop Night" at Columbus, some lucky brand new AF pilot walked up to the stage to see what their very first operational aircraft would be in their AF career, and got the surprise of their life when a picture of an F-35A was then shown on the screen. For the first time, the AF will now be taking pilots straight out of UPT (with a little side trip to Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) first)!

With the AF adding at least a squadron's worth of F-35As every year, then ramping up to 2 squadrons a year within the next 5 years, this lucky pilot will just the first of many yet to come. All you kids in college now, or about to enter college, looking at what you may get out of UPT in a few years? Well, if you get a fighter, the chances will be pretty good it will be an F-35. And aren't you the lucky ones!
 
My Google fu tells me they delivered 45 F-35's in 2015, with about 26 going to the USAF. Is that correct? What is the schedule going forward?
 
My Google fu tells me they delivered 45 F-35's in 2015, with about 26 going to the USAF. Is that correct? What is the schedule going forward?

The number delivered to the AF and the Marines will hold steady for a few years (26/year into he AF's case), but the overall numbers being built and delivered will increase DRAMTICALLY over the next few years as the Navy and a whole bunch of coalition partners start getting theirs. In just 5 years from now, nearly 200 per year will be coming off the production line for a while!
 
“There are shortfalls in electronic warfare, electronic attack, shortfalls in the performance of distributed aperture system and other issues that are classified,” Mr. Gilmore said March 23. “With regard to mission assistance, stealth aircraft are not visible to achieve success against the modern stressing mobile threats. We’re relying on our $400 million investment in F-35 to provide mission systems [that] must work in some reasonable sense of that word.”

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...ailed/&usg=AFQjCNETrmBofkLMvAREQILu5iS6LNF_jw


There is an argument to be made for building upgraded Block III Super Hornets with reduced radar cross-section and other enhancements. Indeed, Boeing has already demonstrated many of those upgrades—including a new external podded-weapons bay, conformal fuel tanks, new cockpit information systems and RCS reduction measures. Other proposed upgrades would add more powerful and fuel-efficient engines and vastly improved electronic warfare capabilities. Once developed to its full potential, the Block III Super Hornet could perform most of the missions envisioned for the F-35C except penetrating strike—it would have to rely on stand-off weapons for that mission.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...-15670&usg=AFQjCNHs7wvvXMkDdYITduQacow4VaPWbw
 
My son knows the young man from Columbus. He and 3 others selected will be going on to more training and 2 of them will be selected for the F 35 the other 2 will be getting F-16's. The AF makes getting anything really competetive. Good luck to the selected and God Bless them.
 
“Depending on the timing, it is possible a commitment to the ‘block buy’ would be made before operational testing is complete,” the report said. It added that there are still “significant discoveries requiring correction before F-35s are used in combat,” and questioned whether buying a large number of aircraft so soon would motivate the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, to “correct an already substantial list of deficiencies in performance, a list that will only lengthen as… testing continues.”

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...hWG75EdJS1xCV2Yig&sig2=bbUKS8TXlimrxVI_7Kw9gA


The first contracts to design what became the F-35 were handed out 20 years ago. Lockheed’s X-35 won the contract in October, 2001. Fifteen years later, the aircraft is in terrible condition — a fact driven home by the DoD’s own official report on the state of the F-35 and the bugs that continue to plague it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...VhOnkbfvtXpIobcpg&sig2=jCAIFcf_6MfaZnTqFraqfw
 
Vance dropped a 35 tonight, haven't heard about the other UPT bases. Congrats to that LT!
To Cga: Agree, I do question the Pentagons decision to make a "one fighter fits all" for all the different missions the 35 needs to support, but it is what is at this point.
And yes, it will take quite some time to work out all the bugs. Heck, I am still delivering equipment that tests weapon systems on the F-xx. They are continually upgrading the electronics on these babies, the modern day Radar systems are just mind blowing...
Mercy to our enemy in a confrontation. NOT!
 
it is what is at this point.

I get the heartburn over the delays, costs, etc., but it is what it is at this point.
Beaaachhh about it all you want.
The reality is we also have many countries buying this airframe. The beauty of that aspect is just like it was and is with the F16. Don't play nice with us and we will not sell you the parts to keep those planes up and running. You can only cannibalize so many planes before the entire fleet is grounded. Giving us more air superiority in the long run.

I also look at this from a different perspective for why it is what it is. Lockheed was smart from a political perspective. The 35 has subcontracted out across the country for parts that go into this airframe. JMPO, the 22 delivered less planes than the original order because they did not spread the wealth. Did not sell it to foreign countries, and did not have an economic impact on multiple states. Not true for the 35. MoCs want to keep their jobs and when it comes to re-election that also means J-O-B-S! If the subcontractor supplies the paint, the tires, the computer chip for the 35, and we are talking thousands of these airframes over decades, than those MoCs are not about to kill the airframe regardless of how over priced and over due it is. They have a bone in this fight from their own job security.

FWIW, everybody knows who my spouse is, and please do not assume that my opinion is tied to our own paycheck, because it is not anymore. Just my own opinion saying that I don't get why anyone at this point would think anything will change at all, because we are too far down the rabbit hole now. More importantly, understand that this is not just about what this airframe can do from a defense aspect, but also an employment aspect. There is a subcontractor out there that only makes the paint for the 35, which means there is a city somewhere that the plant line is employing people to make that paint. Kill the 35 and that subcontractor may need to lay off employees. Their paycheck will be impacted. Going back to the previous paragraph, I don't see any Congressman killing the 35 or supporting another project if they will lose jobs in their district or state.

POLITICS BABY is why the 35 will survive. Vent on, but impo it will get you no where since as Wild Blue said...it is what it is. The AF, Navy and Marines are all in and accepting delivery of these jets.
 
Vance dropped a 35 tonight, haven't heard about the other UPT bases. Congrats to that LT!
To Cga: Agree, I do question the Pentagons decision to make a "one fighter fits all" for all the different missions the 35 needs to support, but it is what is at this point.
And yes, it will take quite some time to work out all the bugs. Heck, I am still delivering equipment that tests weapon systems on the F-xx. They are continually upgrading the electronics on these babies, the modern day Radar systems are just mind blowing...
Mercy to our enemy in a confrontation. NOT!

Wild Blue Yonder I get it.

The project has been derided as a bonfire of taxpayer money almost since its inception in 2006, and many consider the costs sunk into the project to be too high to cancel it. As Lt. General Bogdan said in a 2014 interview with 60 Minutes, “I don’t see any scenario where we’re walking back away from this program.”

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...aXnmlcwCQ16rR_pwA&sig2=m8Y1MkzZfBFu2Jy_9Ke71w

It is my opinion that you will continue to see this bonfire continue to burn way into the future. It's called Job Security at the cost of tax payers and more important placing American lives in a 5lb sack with jamming of 15lb's of bureaucracy.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...JmVES-2vn7x31OrEg&sig2=Jm6-oXWXONnIvKghqhfl5w


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...dtVwMPmY2ooEHzO6g&sig2=rzUXxrlC83JNGkYPqxY3Xw

Overall, says Gilmore, “the rate of deficiency correction has not kept pace with the discovery rate” – in other words, problems with the F-35 are being found faster than they can be fixed.


The unreliability of these systems increases maintenance time and costs on an already expensive plane.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...WoK7usOnvhRPztNTA&sig2=zX8Q4PlMfQfGOTX0-xWplg
 
I get the heartburn over the delays, costs, etc., but it is what it is at this point.
Beaaachhh about it all you want.
The reality is we also have many countries buying this airframe. The beauty of that aspect is just like it was and is with the F16. Don't play nice with us and we will not sell you the parts to keep those planes up and running. You can only cannibalize so many planes before the entire fleet is grounded. Giving us more air superiority in the long run.

I also look at this from a different perspective for why it is what it is. Lockheed was smart from a political perspective. The 35 has subcontracted out across the country for parts that go into this airframe. JMPO, the 22 delivered less planes than the original order because they did not spread the wealth. Did not sell it to foreign countries, and did not have an economic impact on multiple states. Not true for the 35. MoCs want to keep their jobs and when it comes to re-election that also means J-O-B-S! If the subcontractor supplies the paint, the tires, the computer chip for the 35, and we are talking thousands of these airframes over decades, than those MoCs are not about to kill the airframe regardless of how over priced and over due it is. They have a bone in this fight from their own job security.

FWIW, everybody knows who my spouse is, and please do not assume that my opinion is tied to our own paycheck, because it is not anymore. Just my own opinion saying that I don't get why anyone at this point would think anything will change at all, because we are too far down the rabbit hole now. More importantly, understand that this is not just about what this airframe can do from a defense aspect, but also an employment aspect. There is a subcontractor out there that only makes the paint for the 35, which means there is a city somewhere that the plant line is employing people to make that paint. Kill the 35 and that subcontractor may need to lay off employees. Their paycheck will be impacted. Going back to the previous paragraph, I don't see any Congressman killing the 35 or supporting another project if they will lose jobs in their district or state.

POLITICS BABY is why the 35 will survive. Vent on, but impo it will get you no where since as Wild Blue said...it is what it is. The AF, Navy and Marines are all in and accepting delivery of these jets.

Ya and these other countries will stick it to us and you better believe that.

This is way beyond your husband involvement. I talking about a poor plane with a piss poor performance putting people in terrible situations with many years of chasing their tale on this plane.

Vent on- we got screwed and the people should know what the hell is going on instead of... Just do the FUKASHIMA SMILE

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...wW5C6wXrI_7mQQqcg&sig2=8MdTxMXf_pic7A2z-8AR_Q

or the remain calm

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...JOncmP1JrpYHZ8pRA&sig2=ZvIxZfaQBNzb1zm8Bi8GoA
 
Obviously you really hate/despise this airframe to a vitriolic level.

I am only saying that you can scream from the rooftops all you want, but all that you will accomplish is a sore throat because that is the world now...a political game of save my arse.

Curiosity question...have you flown in the 35 simulator or in the 35 itself? Or is your opinion based only on media reports? Have you spoken personally to pilots that have flown the 35? Or is your opinion based on those interviewed by the media?

In the end it still comes back to it is what it is!

FYI, can you expand on you comment that these countries will stick it to us? We are not paying Lockheed to build the 35s for Italy, UK, Australia, Israel, Singapore, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Turkey, etc. That is on their dime, not ours. The U.S. just like them has their own contract. We will get the upgrades 1st, which in turn means we will keep air superiority for decades to come. In turn it means if Israel does not play nice they will have to cannibalize their planes. Play nice and Lockheed will sell them the upgrades for the 35.

Just saying that air superiority is more than just a new airframe. It is long term too. We now own that new generation airframe.
~ Think about it this way...you buy a vette. The HUD breaks down. You can take it to any mechanic, but GM owns that part. If they don't sell it to your mechanic, the mechanic has to go to a 2nd source. Not only will you delay the time to get the vette back up and running, due to finding the part from a 2nd hand supplier, but also you will probably pay more because it is an indirect supplier.
~~ Now think of it from a fighter world. Lockheed aka GM would be locked out from selling any parts due to U.S. laws. Let's say Turkey or Israel ticks us off and we make sure Lockheed stops selling parts...where will they get those spare parts after the have cannibalized their 35s? Do you think F35 tires are interchangeable with every fighter? How about those hydraulic pins? What about the computer chips for the HUD?

Just my ignorant perspective, but they made a deal with the devil when these countries signed on to purchasing the 35... we own them now from air superiority. Go for it, try to screw us. Can you spell IRAN, IRAQ and India? We sold fighters to them too, but when they mis-behaved we stopped supplying them with parts and upgrades, thus, we kept air supremacy.
 
I'll state it plain and simple without going into a diatribe of verbage.

Money! Look at the what our people are dealing with right now. Don't you think we need to get our equipment running now? How about the personnel redeploying and the cut backs? We should be taking this money and putting into our forces right now.

This little wishful continuing project is killing Americans and projecting our weakness to the world. We have worn out equipment and burnt out troops witha decreasing size and we are paying for a POS that keep us in this box for God knows how long.

Don't fool yourself if don't think that these countries don't know how to play money game with us and we freely pick up the ticket everytime. Have you ever had to deal with a Foreign National Govt and the Treaties that go along with it?


Please tell about all the experience you've had with f35 sim and flying.

BTW-these are govt reports not made up-do you have reports that are contrary?-show em

The people who put this project together should be ashamed and disgraced. They hurt our country and killed Americans in the process...
 
I don't disagree with you at all. I work in the corporate world where we constantly told to do more with less.
~ I have a DS serving now that is deployed....don't preach to the choir.

I have no experience flying in the f 35 or in the sim. but my point was/is your opinion is to kill it, and when I asked if you had done either it was to say how do you kill a program if you have no actual experience in the airframe? So it comes back to this...what is your connection to the 35 besides what you have read?

I am not trying to flame, I am not this OMG 35 supporter because in some way many think that I am financially invested from a paycheck perspective, I am just someone that thinks this is the most unrealistic idea to think the 35 will not be operational. The bullet left the gun chamber and you can't put it back in now.

It is what it is. Accept it or don't, but quibbling won't change anything at this point.
~ Caveat: Want to kill the 35, contact your 3 MoCs. If they are pro -35 vote them out of office in Nov.
 
I don't disagree with you at all. I work in the corporate world where we constantly told to do more with less.
~ I have a DS serving now that is deployed....don't preach to the choir.

We've always been told to do more with less. You do disagree "Beaaachhh about it all you want." shut up cga82 you get what's written out there--okay show me the money!! or "Vent on, but impo it will get you no where.." meaning shut up we know what we are doing or "have you flown in the 35 simulator or in the 35 itself?" Tell me the greatness of this failed Aircraft for I have knowledge of it.
And on and on!

My son is also deployed so your telling me nothing.
 
I have no experience flying in the f 35 or in the sim. but my point was/is your opinion is to kill it, and when I asked if you had done either it was to say how do you kill a program if you have no actual experience in the airframe? So it comes back to this...what is your connection to the 35 besides what you have read?

No experience you have then why the question? The point is to throw my off the track--or as they spin it. I think that if I continually hear it from many sources that it's a Turd then it is probably a Turd.
Give some other information that it's not a turd that will continue to be a continuing long term bonfire that won't be able to do the mission. Yet, our guys and gals have old run down equipment that is unsafe-Pisses me off..

Hell ya kill the program and get that money right now where these men and women need it...
 
I am not trying to flame, I am not this OMG 35 supporter because in some way many think that I am financially invested from a paycheck perspective, I am just someone that thinks this is the most unrealistic idea to think the 35 will not be operational. The bullet left the gun chamber and you can't put it back in now.


You are flaming and you are a seminar poster supporter of a Failed Aircraft that is burning the wick at both ends. News--the bullet that left the chamber is a Dudd and we should drop like a hot potato.
 
It is what it is. Accept it or don't, but quibbling won't change anything at this point.
~ Caveat: Want to kill the 35, contact your 3 MoCs. If they are pro -35 vote them out of office in Nov.

"It is what it is" "Accept it or don't" ---I DON'T that why I posted this not to get derailed by you. I don't accept crap for our service men and women.


Caveat: Want to kill the 35, contact your 3 MoCs. If they are pro -35 vote them out of office in Nov.[/QUOTE]

This is another shut up I'm flamming you and you won't get anywhere so just let our Country continue to get screwed. If your with me did you write your Congressman?
 
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