John Fedup
The Bunker Group
So I guess junior can now wait until 2028 claiming the delay will allow for better engines.
F-35 Program - General Discussion
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The thing is, if you look back through history its pretty much a Canadian thing, not a new Junior thing. Canada has always been very good at making plans but never enacting them.So I guess junior can now wait until 2028 claiming the delay will allow for better engines.
The exception is when caught in a shooting war when things happen very quickly before returning the BAU (business as usual)
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
I was going to suggest NGAD post 2028 as his next delay tactic but realistically I think Liberal party knives will be looking for his backside before then, if not and he’s still around, Canada is truly screwed....only to wait another 10 years to hang out for NGAD?
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
That’s true but Canada isn’t alone in returning to BAU.
John Newman
The Bunker Group
Agree completely.
Every bit of Canadian procurement history I’ve seen reflects badly on both sides of Canadian politics.
I think all Canadian politicians have one true action in regard to defence procurement, which goes like this:
“Let’s make a decision not to make a decision”
Big_Zucchini
Well-Known Member
The F-35 had its first ever air to air combat, shooting down 2 Iranian drones carrying Gaza-bound payload.
A third drone was downed electronically. The article states they were shot down far from Israel's border, and it was done in coordination with its allies. This may imply a shoot-down over the Sinai, coordinated with Egypt.
The incident itself took place a year ago.
www.timesofisrael.com
A third drone was downed electronically. The article states they were shot down far from Israel's border, and it was done in coordination with its allies. This may imply a shoot-down over the Sinai, coordinated with Egypt.
The incident itself took place a year ago.
IDF says its F-35 jets intercepted 2 Iranian drones ferrying arms to Gaza last year
Reports say aircraft were carrying firearms for terror groups; military says March 2021 interception was carried out 'in coordination with neighboring countries'
www.timesofisrael.com
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
This article questions the F-35 cuts across all three services by the Biden administration. Strange for all three apparently. Could be pressure on LM get get their $hit together on the Block 4 software. Maybe a spot is being prepared for junior’s order for 88 jets…I can hear the collective roar from people.
www.forbes.com
Biden Administration Fumbles F-35, Free World’s Fighter, Despite War In Europe
F-35 is being bought by over a dozen democracies, but the administration suddenly seems less enthused by the fighter than our allies.
www.forbes.com
I think you are right about putting pressure on LM, and in addition, it seems they are not entirely happy with the status of Tech Refresh 3 (which is needed for block 4 implementation):This article questions the F-35 cuts across all three services by the Biden administration. Strange for all three apparently. Could be pressure on LM get get their $hit together on the Block 4 software. Maybe a spot is being prepared for junior’s order for 88 jets…I can hear the collective roar from people.
Biden Administration Fumbles F-35, Free World’s Fighter, Despite War In Europe
F-35 is being bought by over a dozen democracies, but the administration suddenly seems less enthused by the fighter than our allies.
Air Force Would Reduce Fleet by 250 Old Aircraft, Bring on 82-plus New Ones - Air Force Magazine
What is somewhat concerning it that it seems "full block 4" will not be available until 2029: Block IV: The F-35 'Upgrade' That Should Make China Nervous | The National Interest
I wonder when the JSM missiles becomes available on the F-35? It should be part of "block 4", but it seems block 4 will be split into block 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4? BAE Systems to upgrade electronic warfare system for Block 4 F-35 (janes.com)
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Here’s an interview with former RCAF commander and LM test pilot Billie Flynn on the virtues of the F-35 along with how 4th pilots will transition to the F-35.
theaviationist.com
F-35: Capabilities, Missions, Kinematics, Role In Ukrainian Crisis And Beyond. Interview With Billie Flynn
"The F-35 was designed to operate in highly contested airspace, with capabilities precisely focused on what we have been seeing in Ukraine today." We have
theaviationist.com
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Seems to be increasing debate over future engine developments for the F-35. P&W is hyping its EEP package for the current F135 engine even though the company is developing a new engine for the AETP as is GE.
As per the article below, some argue a new engine would be a logistics problem and wouldn’t be applicable to the F-35B.
However new sensors and Block 4 requires more power and better cooling, which AETP provides along with (supposedly) better range with its third air stream. If the promised 25% increase in range is real then this should be reason enough, especially for the USN. With concerns about a shrinking military industrial supply chain, is a single fighter jet engine manufacturer desirable? Certainly AETP engines would be desirable for the B-21 and future NGAD.
As per the article below, some argue a new engine would be a logistics problem and wouldn’t be applicable to the F-35B.
However new sensors and Block 4 requires more power and better cooling, which AETP provides along with (supposedly) better range with its third air stream. If the promised 25% increase in range is real then this should be reason enough, especially for the USN. With concerns about a shrinking military industrial supply chain, is a single fighter jet engine manufacturer desirable? Certainly AETP engines would be desirable for the B-21 and future NGAD.
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Will be looking out for news on pricing for Lot 15-17 F-35s — as international orders ramp up.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Some news about P&W’s F135 engine repair performance. It will be a factor I assume with the on going decision between EEP for the F135 engine or a new engine AETP (GE and P&W both have designs for the latter). The AETP is unlikely adaptable for the F-35B. AETP is favoured for NGAD and would be good for the B-21 as well. It might be worth while going with both programs as a CYA solution considering the size of the F-35 fleet.
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
www.bloomberg.com
GE is studying adaptation of their XA100 engine to the F-35B -- results should be available this fall:
GE Studies XA100 Adaptive Engine Option For F-35B | Aviation Week Network
The F-35 JPO, Lockheed and Rolls-Royce are working with GE on the effort.
aviationweek.com
GE claims 30% increase in range for F-35A/C, and 100% increase in thermal capacity -- quite impressive if confirmed.
P&W seems to push the upgraded F135 (EEP) rather than AETP: The F-35 engine is at a crossroads, with billions of dollars for industry at stake
It seems the P&W EEP would provide >10% increase in range and >50% increase in thermal capacity, at a much lower cost than AETP.
Given the increasingly hostile threat environment perhaps they should bite the bullet and go for the AETP. In particular for Asia-Pacific a 30% range increase and much larger thermal capacity would be very welcome.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
AETP seems to be the future, certainly for NGAD and perhaps the B-21 for the reasons mentioned in the article. GE claims about F-35B compatibility, wouldn’t hold my breath. Block 4 power demands are a prime driver for EEP and AETP but the latter seems to offer this and more. Given that AETP is the preferred solution to future jets I think this program will proceed regardless of whether it will be destined for the F-35.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Yet another article on F-35 engine options. Basically there are three contenders, 2 AETP designs and the EEP for the F135 engine. All supposedly address the extra power requirements needed for block 4. GE claims more thrust plus a 30% increase in range. For the USN and perhaps Canada and Australia, 30% is damn significant, especially if the EEP option isn’t close to this number. I imagine the management team at Raytheon are sweating about this decision, especially those that pushed for the P&W acquisition.
breakingdefense.com
Can GE finally break through on the F-35 engine at a ‘critical decision point’? - Breaking Defense
GE sees new F-35 performance demands and a refocused American defense strategy as a chance for its new XA100 engine.
breakingdefense.com
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
This article from The Diplomat summarizes why the the AETP engine may not be the right choice for the F-35 program. Although new supply chains for supporting two engines could be problematic and expensive for allies (and the US), a EEP updated F135 engine must address the needs for block 4 as a minimum. If the EEP engine can do this and also offer some range improvement then it should be an easy decision as this solution is applicable to all three F-35 variants. AETP will progress in any event as it will be the probable choice for the NGAD and perhaps eventually the B-21.
The Downside of Adaptive Engine Technology for the F-35 Fleet
Could the U.S. Air Force’s plan to retrofit its F-35 fleet with new propulsion systems undermine the jet fighter’s much vaunted interoperability?
thediplomat.com
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Another headache for the F-35 fleet, faulty explosive charges for the ejection seats. Apparently there is an abundant supply of good charges so should be at lm relatively quick fix.
www.defenseone.com
Air Force Grounds Most F-35s in US Due to Faulty Ejection Seats
The extraordinary stand-down order from Air Combat Command does not cover every fighter in the fleet, overseas, or other service branches.
www.defenseone.com
Another click bait nothing article. It's automatically an F-35 problem (Ya know how crap THEY are!) rather than a seat issue affecting Super Hornets, Growlers etc.....every type with the same seat ....as wellAnother headache for the F-35 fleet, faulty explosive charges for the ejection seats. Apparently there is an abundant supply of good charges so should be at lm relatively quick fix.
Air Force Grounds Most F-35s in US Due to Faulty Ejection Seats
The extraordinary stand-down order from Air Combat Command does not cover every fighter in the fleet, overseas, or other service branches.
oldsig
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
An update on the CAD issue wrt Martin Baker ejection seats. Apparently the USN and Marines acted very quickly on this issue. All F-35Cs and 90% of the F-35B fleet has been cleared.
breakingdefense.com
Navy has completed F-35 ejection seat inspections; Marines at 90 percent - Breaking Defense
Earlier on Friday the Air Force announced that the majority of its F-35A jets were grounded to check on the ejection seat issue.
breakingdefense.com