F-35 - International Participation

SpazSinbad

SpazSinbad

Active Member
Six pages of F135 goodness in this 2012 PDF, the author has written excellent material about the F-35 Engines (especially STOVLie bits). Powering the Lightning II 26 Apr 2012 Chris Kjelgaard
""...Maintainability... Engine F135 & LiftFan STOVL F-35LightningII pp6ed.pdf
...all engine clamps and blocks stay on the engine casing when an F135 is removed for maintenance and the engine uses no safety wire, eliminating another potential source of FOD damage. All controls and accessories are mounted on the bottom of the engine, making it easier for mechanics to get to them; and these assemblies are modular so that, say, a mechanic could easily remove the electronics or valves or relays for an F135 fuel control unit as entire modules.... ...So seriously did P&W take the job of making the F135 highly maintainable that it tried to design the engine to require only a single hand tool, clamped to the engine when not in use, for all line maintenance jobs. P&W couldn’t quite achieve that ideal but did succeed to the point where only six hand tools are required.... http://www.f-16.net/forum/download/file.php?id=19133 (PDF 1.5Mb)
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ngatimozart

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
In all honesty, looking at Spaz's post above, I can't see it taking 35 hours to change an F135. Man hours maybe, but lineal hours no. It doesn't look like they have to undertake major airframe dismantling to get at the engine and the aircraft design is not an old school pommy design where if there was a awkward way of doing it, they would find it. I would not be surprised if the engine mounts were 4 bolts and easy connections, much like on commercial aircraft.
 
OPSSG

OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #543
Singapore identifies F-35 fighter jet to replace F-16s, expects to buy ‘small number’ for full testing

In the last hour, Singapore’s defence minister has announced on his Facebook page that the RSAF will acquire the F-35, in limited numbers for evaluation. This follows a technical evaluation by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Defence Science and Technology Agency which lasted more than five years.

“The technical evaluation also concluded that the RSAF should first purchase a small number of F-35 JSFs for a full evaluation of their capabilities and suitability before deciding on a full fleet,” MINDEF said.
 
OPSSG

OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #545
SpazSinbad said:
The last paragraph is pure gold :) - thank you MINDEF: "...During testing, MINDEF will also work with other parties to take into account ongoing developments and ensure the F-35 is safe to operate." THANK YOU NANNY MINDEF sweetness. :) Singapore identifies F-35 fighter jet to replace F-16s, expects to buy ‘small number’ for full testing
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Haha, we do have a nanny state.

On a more serious note, Italy has thus far taken delivery of 10 F-35As and one F-35B. Two of the Italian As and the B aircraft are being used for training in the United States (with plans to acquire up to 30 Bs). I am sure RSAF would want to learn and benchmark with the Italians (as we have Italian speaking pilots trained under their system) and the US Marines. This a good risk reduction step as Singapore does not operate Harriers.

Starting limited procurement in 2019 ensures a good deal, as in January 2019, Lockheed hailed its achievement of the 2018 delivery target of 91 aircraft (up from 66 in 2017 and 46 in 2016) as "demonstrating the F-35 enterprise's ability to ramp up to full-rate production". "Year-over-year, we have increased production, lowered costs, reduced build time, and improved quality and on-time deliveries," notes Greg Ulmer, the company's general manager of the F-35 programme. In addition, Japan’s decision to skip on the local production for the next 105 F-35As (totalling 147 F-35As) and 40 F-35Bs it orders from Lockheed Martin will further reduce buy costs for all.
 
Millennium7

Millennium7

Member
I found out an interesting piece of information about the F-35 in an international environment.
It may be a bit surprising, so I made this video.
Please, let me know what do you think about it


Mod Edit: Embedded link promoting a YouTube channel deleted.
-Preceptor​
 
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R

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
Millennium7 said:
I found out an interesting piece of information about the F-35 in an international environment.
It may be a bit surprising, so I made this video.
Please, let me know what do you think about it


Mod Edit: Embedded link promoting a YouTube channel deleted.
-Preceptor​
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This is the same with any piece of Military equipment you import from another Country, there is always the possibility that the Government of that Country will cut of Spare Parts supply if they disagree with how you are using them.
 
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seaspear

Well-Known Member
Just like Germany halting the sale of the Meteor to Saudi Arabia ,some parts from Germany are involved in the manufacturing of the Meteor assembled and developed by MBDA
 
King Wally

King Wally

Active Member
John Fedup said:
About time this happened and not only because of Turkey’s S-400 purchase. Another Islamic train wreck in progress. As most of the airforce pilots have been purged, there are few left to train for the F-35. Can’t fault Donald on this decision.

Trump Signs Bill Blocking Transfer of F-35 Fighter Jets to Turkey (excerpt)
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I was watching the above video from Millennium7 speculating about how easy it could be for the US to withdraw future support for F35 customers and potentially cripple operations. Not sure how acurate that speculation is BUT the first country I did think of was Turkey. They have both the political direction (feuds with Kurds, yoyo relations with Russia etc) and lack of tech skills (unlike Israel or Japan etc) that could see them anger the US and then struggle to find an independent IT/ALIS solution. It made me wonder if even Turkey itself may be better served with at least a mixed fleet option?
 
S

Stampede

Well-Known Member
John Fedup said:
About time this happened and not only because of Turkey’s S-400 purchase. Another Islamic train wreck in progress. As most of the airforce pilots have been purged, there are few left to train for the F-35. Can’t fault Donald on this decision.

Trump Signs Bill Blocking Transfer of F-35 Fighter Jets to Turkey (excerpt)
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Interesting move.
Will this push Turkey towards Russia or in fear of further restrictions force it back to appease the US.
Not sure of the answer, but they may want a look at that ramp thing on the LHD that is getting built.
If the ramp and all that goes with it is not important to them then the west may lose some defence sales and just as importantly, the influence that goes with it..

Regards S
 
S

seaspear

Well-Known Member
Its also worth considering that Turkey is in the process of building an LHD which is designed to carry 6 of the F35B , it would be a far less capable ship without these.
 
John Fedup

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Stampede said:
Interesting move.
Will this push Turkey towards Russia or in fear of further restrictions force it back to appease the US.
Not sure of the answer, but they may want a look at that ramp thing on the LHD that is getting built.
If the ramp and all that goes with it is not important to them then the west may lose some defence sales and just as importantly, the influence that goes with it..

Regards S
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What influence? Erdogan has been destroying democratic sectarian Turkey for years. He is just another Islamic dictator that should disqualify Turkey from being in NATO. WTF would want him covering your six?
 
B

barney41

Member
SECDEC Mattis had previously mentioned the possibility of an 18month impact on production. Perhaps it was his way of pushing for the deal to go through though LMaA and the JPO no doubt have been busy with contingency planning.
 
Ranger25

Ranger25

Active Member
Staff member
Boeing Australia is developing a “loyal wingman” for use with the F-35. First three to be in testing by 2020

Aircraft is a USV, Range of 2000 miles with unspecified payload. Can be co trolled by its F-35 wingman or a ground station

Will certainly increase the capability and load out


Boeing unveils ‘loyal wingman’ drone
 
Millennium7

Millennium7

Member
I posted a video above about adopting the F35 if you are not the USA that sparked some interesting discussions on reddit.
I was uncertain about the sources but some more news seem to confirm that I was right (not 100% still though).

Click on the link below to read the discussion if you are interested


Mod Edit: Link promoting a YouTube channel deleted.
-Preceptor​
 
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S

Stampede

Well-Known Member
John Fedup said:
What influence? Erdogan has been destroying democratic sectarian Turkey for years. He is just another Islamic dictator that should disqualify Turkey from being in NATO. WTF would want him covering your six?
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He is all of what you say and probably worse.
The question is how to deal with that situation.

No easy answer and I would be reluctant to make the sale, but equally I'd be adverse to the alternative.
Maybe having some control on the hook on the line may be prudent.
He'll be gone one day and I trust his successor is a better player for the region and the county's domestic situation.
The F35 will come with conditions and not without some external influence.
Always a difficult call

Regards S
 
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