I've been watching the following develop for awhile now concerning the
F-35, so it's time to "throw it" out here...
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art...e/186991/.html
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art...0-billion.html
From ref. 3 I'll simply quote from from the end of each of the fighters general information block...
F-35A - This is still looking like it'll be
2019 however... "The
F-35A was the first variant to fly, in 2009. Unfortunately, it looks like it won’t reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC)
until 2017 or 2018."
Well you can definitely cross off 2017.
F-35B - "Planes with full Block 3
initial combat capability are unlikely to be fielded
before 2018."
Well we know the answer to that now don't we!?!
F-35C - "Initial Operational Capability
was scheduled for 2014, but looks set to
slip to 2019."
Finally it has. There's so much commonality in the systems between the types, it'll be hard to imagine any of these jets being ready much before Jun 2019 (That for the sake of argument.).
Too much is left to be done, weapons certs, op evals, software issues, logistics (Has reared it's head many times over the years to include a key software issue.) etc. etc. And we still haven't had the
competition between the A-10/F-15SE/F/A-18E/F and F-16V (Which should've been retired by now or close to.) along with the latest previous Block were developed out of necessity due to the various delays of the F-35 Program.
That's the one item I'm trying to really keep an eye on. Can you imagine the delay if the
F-35 during the CAP eval against those planes turns in a sub par performance? Or even , just that, performs equally as well as them?
It'll cause a political firestorm.
Save yourself the aggravation make them all simply
JUN 2019.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...m-edit-037947/
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS ARTICLE WHILE IT'S FULLY UNLOCKED FOR THE TIME BEING!!!!
Also of interest and somewhat in support of the above...
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...-on-sh-443005/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...-fleet-443070/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...d-ndaa-443026/
Regards,
Pat
