F-35B/C - Naval Air Discussions (USN & USMC)

ngatimozart

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
The USMC has used adaptive manufacturing (3D printing) to manufacture a replacement part for a F-35B in Japan. They said that this was quicker than having to wait for a replacement part to be sourced from the manufacturer because parts are scarce. Adaptive manufacturing will be a game changer and this is just the beginning.
 
T

the concerned

Active Member
Just thinking with the impending arrival of f-35's for the UK we get 4 now plus another batch later on in the year. Why can't they kill 2 birds with 1 stone and place them on the carrier as it will be in the US on trials when they are due to come.
 
SpazSinbad

SpazSinbad

Active Member
Hmmm - I've seen this question in other forums but vaguely remember the answers. So here goes: Already the first batch of UK F-35Bs will be on way to MARHAM soon. This is early to ensure that IOC is reached later this year. Being early gives more time for the testing etc. before IOC. Initially TEST PILOTS only with orange-wired F-35Bs will carry out landings and take-offs to ensure a reliable SHOL diagram is made for QE/CVFs. After a break I think they'll then get on to SRVL testing amongst other things. No one lands on a ship without first tests being made about the efficacy of doing same with then limits about sea state/wind etc. being known. Ordinary pilots do not do this kind of work. After the initial test period time is required to write up all the stuff into a readable manual for ordinary pilots whilst the ship will have to also do what is highlighted to change (if necessary) via said initial testing period.

In the first instance by flying across the Atlantic with air refueling support from Brit Tankers then this aspect is also tested. Currently the UK pilots are practicing this ARF with RAF tankers.

By flying to the UK the initial F-35Bs will be at MARHAM well before QE is back from these initial flight trials. Then on to IOC which is only upon land at moment IIRC. Later it is at sea.

Some CVF Test Trivia: Why F-35 trials aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth will be conducted by American jets flown by British pilots
 
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ngatimozart

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
The USMC has lost it's first F-35B. The aircraft was damaged by a fire two years ago and the USMC state that it was uneconomical to repair it. The aircraft has been struck off but not formally written off yet. The decision about it's final fate has yet to be made. It will most like end up an instructional airframe or in a museum.
 
S

Stampede

Well-Known Member
ngatimozart said:
The USMC has lost it's first F-35B. The aircraft was damaged by a fire two years ago and the USMC state that it was uneconomical to repair it. The aircraft has been struck off but not formally written off yet. The decision about it's final fate has yet to be made. It will most like end up an instructional airframe or in a museum.
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Was there any injury to pilot or ground staff related to this incident?

Regards S
 
S

Stampede

Well-Known Member
SpazSinbad said:
The aircraft was in or near the circuit when fire started so quickly it was on the ground - no injuries to anyone IIRC. Also it seems the incident at the time was considered 'minor'. Fires never 'friendly' to these aircraft it seems.

Marine Corps F-35 Caught Fire During Training Flight

Other F-35 fires reported upon also. USMC F-35B inflight fire 26 Oct 2016 (aircraft now written off).
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Thanks for the reply.

I trust they identify and fix the issue.
Peace of for the pilots and the F35 program.

Regards S
 
SpazSinbad

SpazSinbad

Active Member
Again without refreshing my memory (but will look for contemporary articles) the cause was well known but misunderstood how likely it would be to cause a fire. So the chafing hydraulic line was moved I think with this change being made to all aircraft and subsequent articles forthwith. I have not seen an accident report however by now there may be one out there.

Here is one contemporary article: 20 Dec 2016
"...According to Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, who leads the F-35 joint program office, the root cause of the fire was a loose bracket, which —when functioning properly — holds electrical wires away from other components in the weapons bay. The bracket became loose, causing the wiring to move and chafe at its own insulation, creating a spark. Those electrical wires sit next to hydraulic lines and other flammable parts, further increasing the risk of a fire...."
F-35 Chief: Loose Bracket Sparked Fire on Marine Corps Plane
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Shoulda kept readin':
"..."We knew about this problem long before that [incident], and all of our airplanes were being retrofitted with a new bracket," Bogdan said during a Dec. 19 briefing to reporters.

The engineering work for the bracket retrofit has been finished, but the aircraft affected by the fire, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501, had not been modified with the new hardware yet. Instead, aircraft with the original brackets underwent periodic inspections to check whether the bracket is still sturdy.

"It had passed its previous inspection, but the bracket still became dislodged," Bogdan said, adding that a new inspection regiment has now been put into place as a result of the mishap...."
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SpazSinbad

SpazSinbad

Active Member
A

Air Force Brat

Member
SpazSinbad said:
USNI News has all the goss about TOPGUNtwo whilst filming underway with F-35Cs integrating with CAW 7 aboard ABE (some names deliberately mangled for da masses). :)

Top Gun: Maverick Will Likely Feature F-35C Joint Strike Fighters - USNI News
&
VIDEO: F-35Cs Operating in First Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Air Wing Test Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln - USNI News [explaino video here also]
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Today announced that Top Gun Maverick is being pushed back to a June 2020 release, I believe they have realized there is no way this movie is a real hit without the F-35 Charlie! original plans were to stick to the Super Hornet, but that's such a loser....
 
FORBIN

FORBIN

Member
BTW for F-35C the glider bomb for reach targets to long range is AGM-154C which can also to be used against ships remains ofc much more vulnerable not sea skimming and less fast than a missile
F-35A in block 3F ofc use GBU-39 more small but 8 vs 2 AGM-154C weapons especialy usefull for SEAD missions

Right now no long sticks AGM-158A or B in first for more detectable legacy fighters, bombers logicaly but remains interesting later for ghost and make sense USN have AGM-158C for F-35C normaly next year for F/A-18E/F and in few months for B-1B 28th BW is almost ready.

The Navy's Stealthy Glide Bomb Is About To Get Way More Capable
Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) | NAVAIR - U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command - Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation
 
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