Via
DefenseNews.com
The U.S. military may deploy the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) before the tri-service fighter is formally declared
Initial Operational Capable (IOC), top uniformed officials told Congress
on May 24.
While the U.S. Marine Corps has always maintained that
it would declare IOC with interim Block 2B software, the U.S. Air Force
and U.S. Navy require that the aircraft be fielded with Block 3
software before the jet is formally declared operational. However, in
testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, leaders from both
services said they would consider deploying the fifth-generation stealth
fighter into combat zones with interim Block 2B software provided that
there were no safety concerns.
"If the combatant commander said, 'bring me this capability,' then we
clearly would provide it," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle,
the service's deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and
requirements.
The Navy's director of warfare integration, Rear Adm. David Philman, who was also testifying, concurred.
"I
don't see any reason we wouldn't be able to be told to go into theater,
assuming all the safety considerations have been taken care of," he
said.
Hmm, I can't wait to see the response to this news.
i hate to say i told you so but didnt i suggest this a few weeks ago? :D
ReplyDeletei don't recall you stating this. in fact the politically correct position has been that it won't be ready for ioc on time and many have laughed at the Marines stating that they would take the airplane and deploy it with block 2b software.
ReplyDeleteeven though that software would make it light years more effective than current Harriers and F/A-18A-C's.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletereading my mind. they've already sent one of their little soldiers over here to spout nonsense.
ReplyDeletei expect more later tonight.
I wonder how long it will take Bill S., ELP, et al. to say that putting these "mistake jets" in the field actually endangers the troops.
ReplyDeletehehe.. Sorry Solomon, I deleted my original post because autocorrect changed "et al." to "et all".
ReplyDeletei asked a few weeks ago why they didnt send out one or two models just to see how it would perform in the field, you said even after IOC they would keep at states to not risk damage to the PR, but not a big deal, anyway this is a win for our troops. i dont see them going to afghanistan, i see it more going to guam, okinawa or japan to hedge against chinese air capabilities.
ReplyDeleteyou were talking about airshows! that came about because of Trimble talking about it possibly going to the big show in the UK or even one in the Middle East.
ReplyDeletethat was the discussion...nothing to do with them getting to a flight line for duty.
well either way its good to see them active duty. i am wondering how well trained the pilots will be. i know they are starting on simulators now but when will the new pilots start to get seat time in the actual aircraft? any ideas?
ReplyDeleteThe first F-35A (AF-8) that will go to Eglin AFB and it's training wing rolled off the line and flew on May the 10th. It will be delivered to Eglin AFB later this year after checkout at Ft Worth.
ReplyDeleteAF-9 (2nd F-35A headed to Eglin AFB) flew 3 days after AF-8 (on May the 13th).
ReplyDeletethats cool, i did remember reading somewhere that B will undergo seal trials this year, i wonder if they can put one or two aboard a forward deployed ship for sea trials. not an active combat zone but see how it will go with an MEU.
ReplyDelete"deploying the fifth-generation stealth fighter into combat zones with interim Block 2B software provided that there were no safety concerns."
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware there could ever be no safety concerns in a combat zone.
The phrase "white elephant" comes to mind.
I think you need to read up on "white elephant" again as you are clearly not using it correctly.
ReplyDeleteThe safety concerns relate to whether the F-35 can operate with a high MTBF, not whether it will take combat damage.
also does anyone know how well the software is progressing? i know the 22 had huge software issues during development but a report a few weeks ago said the 35 had avoided those issues, it seems they used another software language, and with the 22 grounded and software updates more difficult due to an older coding language, it seems pushing the 35 into service is becoming a stronger impetus, especially given its flexibility. i even wonder if the US needs a true air dominance fighter. we need good all around aircraft, just not a one trick pony. the 35 seems to fill that role better than the 22.
ReplyDeleteSoftware is the biggest issue right now, but not a problem like on the F-22. LM has recently added a third integration line and hired hundreds (IIRC) of new software related engineers.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, if they are thinking about combat prior to IOC, when do you think the F-35 will make a Red Flag (in squadron size) appearance?
NOW THATS THE QUESTION!
ReplyDeletei imagine there are quite a few boys flying F-22's that would love to sink there fangs into the F-35...a few F-16 and F-18 drivers that would love a shot at the new kid and even Typhoon pilots...
hate to say it but as far as aerial warfare is concerned, the biggest workout short of getting WW3 might be at a red flag exercise.
My guess is 2014/15 with the Marines and their F-35Bs flying Block 2B (their IOC software Block).
ReplyDeletei concur but i see them getting pushed out to ships and not going to Red Flag until the USAF does.
ReplyDeletethe Harrier is a fine airplane but even that limited block is going to be a tremendous step forward.
The USMC could use a successful Red Flag exercise to quiet critics of their choice of Blk2B as their IOC Block instead of Block3.
ReplyDeletewell we are talking the Marines so maybe Green Flag instead?
ReplyDeleteMarines won't have IOC till 2016, at the earliest.
ReplyDeleteare you really that naive? IOC will probably arrive soon after shipboard testing is accomplished. probably 2014 unless a major problem pops up...maybe sooner.
ReplyDeletehoping that this program will fail isn't stopping it...if thats all it took then the program would be dead already.
the little adhoc group that gets together sending e-mails around the internet and then sends its foot soldiers out to create mayhem isn't working either.
not even getting a major name in the defense industry to spout their lies has worked.
sorry Thomas, but APA and its group of followers has lost. as some would say...you all are on the wrong side of history.
I would definately be interested to see how things would go at Red Flag. Problems is, how much true capability would we see? How much would be held back to keep the French doing too much sniffing with their Spectras?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would be more interested to hear how it does at a CVW or especially a SFTI at NSAWC.
ok, maybe my acronyms are jacked up but how would it do as part of a carrier air wing? or strike fighter tactics instructor? i don't get those two--- the last one...naval strike-air warfare center i get ....
ReplyDeleteexplain please.
SFTI is the current much less cool name for the TOPGUN program. The air wing training provides training for the squadron as a whole.
ReplyDeleteFrom http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Fallon/About/TenantCommands/NavalStrikeandAirWarfareCenterNSAWC/index.htm
"Training:
There are two distinct areas of NSAWC training using the FRTC extensively - carrier air wing (CVW) training and the "TOPGUN" SFTI course. Air wing training brings together all of an air wing's squadrons for four weeks, providing strike planning and execution training opportunities in a dynamic, realistic, scenario-driven simulated wartime environment.