Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[dmnt]

Damn, meant MiG-35, not SU-35.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

To go along with tracking the F-35, I've also been tracking for years now the PAK-FA/FGFA (India) + T-50 (Russia) for many years now as well. If there's a fighter to compete with the F-22 it's this one (Much on this topic and the next in this Thread.) however like the F-35 it's been beset with many of the same issues in technological development compounded also by cooperative issues between India and Russia. It appears the last after at least a year+ has reached a resolution. Again the following will unlock to the general public soon just check back (This also indicates the article has been updated.) in a few days or so. And yes date changes will be required and or deleted further down the road. It's also ironic to think that the USMC whom normally gets the "leftovers" in equipment might possibly be the only OOB to have the F-35(B)operational by this games end. Anyway here's a taste...
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...133/#more-3133

The "Doc" saw fit to have to give me a shot in the eye this evening (Pesky scar tissue.) so I'll leave it at this. Have a good night!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Other than technical issues, Congresses attempts to keep the A-10 flying could upset the IOC for the USAF F-35A. The GAO as already posted, predicts a later date and the A-10 issue would probably push this back at least a year or more to get the additional maintenance personnel inducted into the service and trained. We should know more by this winter I would think on this ever changing situation with the F-35 series..
http://www.janes.com/article/45198/a...a-ioc-for-usaf

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

It's also ironic to think that the USMC whom normally gets the "leftovers" in equipment might possibly be the only OOB to have the F-35(B)operational by this games end.

Actually the USMC generally keeps it's aircraft and helos pretty much up-to-date, it's the grunts, tanks, and artillery that make do with old equipment.
You can get by with a slightly outta date tank but given the reliance on air support and lack of significant AA assets you can't afford to have aircraft that can't achieve air superiority (or at least parity).

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

You can get by with a slightly outta date tank but given the reliance on air support and lack of significant AA assets you can't afford to have aircraft that can't achieve air superiority (or at least parity).

My reading on the F-35B is that it has decreased the capability of the A and C variants due mainly to the concept of shared or common design principles. The engineering to lift what 20 tons near vertical and then expect STEALTH and supersonic speeds is daunting. The Navy and the Corps do not need a STEALTH supersonic close aircraft.

Conceptually, what is the need for STEALTH close air support and VTOL when the big boat carrier has assets to provide air superiority and STEALTH (needed to penetrate and strike deep). Especially, at 150 mil a piece, why sacrifice the payload capability of the F-35C to achieve VTOL in the B is beyond me, unless you're living in Fort Lauderdale, an employee of Lockheed Martin, or a congressman from that district.

It seems the Navy has an incessant need to put fixed-wing aircraft on assault ships while forgetting the air craft carrier is designed for that species.

This talk of the advanced JSF, the F-35 and in particular the F-35B can drive a teetotaler to reach for the George Dickel.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well I shall gloat just a little here but, I love it when the CORPS (For now anyway.) agrees with my some my projections on a items I've been reporting for a couple of + years now. So here are the highlights for Suhiir a little tighter adjustment is needed to at least get into the 6 month "swag" Don and I normally have worked out on submission dates the last few years. These are taken from the below directly and for whoever has the balls (Baseballs, Basketballs Golf Balls etc. etc. ) to take on this project from 2020-2030 or whatever you might want to hold onto this ref as this is the AVPLAN for the CORPS through 2030..

"The F-35B and F-35C will replace F-18, AV-8B and EA-6B. The Marine Corps will procure a total of 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs in the following squadron bed down:
• 9 Squadrons x 16 F-35B
• 5 Squadrons x 10 F-35B
• 4 Squadrons x 10 F-35C
• 2 Squadrons x 10 F-35B reserve
• 2 Squadrons x 25 F-35B FRS Marine Corps F-35B IOC is July of 2015 (objective) and December 2015 (threshold). IOC requires the first squadron to have 10 aircraft in the Block 2B configuration capable of executing CAS; limited offensive and defensive counter
-air; air interdiction; air support escort; armed reconnaissance;
and limited suppression of enemy air defenses. Additionally, 6 aircraft need to be capable of executing amphibious carrier operations. The aircraft is currently tracking to reach its full operational capability in Q4 of CY 2017. The full transition from legacy to F-35 will complete with the transition of the second reserve squadron in 2032."

"The TACAIR 2030 Roadmap is a departure from the previous AVPLAN’s TACAIR transition order. The F-35 transition continues per the program of record, while the AV-8B and F/A-18 order of transition has changed.
Transition Plan:

* AV-8B will transition to the F-35B first, with a planned sunset of 2025.

* F/A-18A-D will transition in the out years with a planned sunset of 2029 for the active component and 2030 for the
reserve component.

"The AVPLAN now prioritizes F-35B sourcing to MAGTF (MEUs) in the
PACOM AOR with the first VMA transition (VMA-211) planned to begin FY16. The pace of the AV-8B conversion has been accelerated and F-35B will source 31st MEU requirement beginning 3QFY17."

https://marinecorpsconceptsandprogra...ion%20Plan.pdf

This means the F-35B will be the first operational series and the CORPS is planning for that to happen (Barring any further delays.) in JUL-SEP which is the 4th QTR of FY 2017. Suhiir based on earlier discussions and yes I understand you just changed it, August 2017 based on this document is the best date we've had on any of the F-35 types to date.

All USMC aviation assets, operability and to some degree tactical use is discussed here. Some might find some answers here; for me it's more about validation of my work in this area. Sometimes that's needed especially how the last couple of years have gone.

Happy Hunting!!

I have elections to follow this evening, I hope for whom this applies to, that no matter your affiliation that you voted today.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

As someone knows a tough day at the OPHTHALMOLOGIST today. Just caught the fact the ref/document quoted CY=Calendar Year
vs. what I thought was FY=Fiscal Year (Why'd they do that?) anyway that would move things back further to OCT-DEC 2017 or I would submit now NOV 2017 as the operational/in service date for the F-35B. The rest of the para I stand by. This means with the CORPS getting theirs first the next will definitely fall in no sooner then mid 2018 at best holding to the CORPS timeline in development.

Sorry for the confusion on my part.

Regards,
Pat