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F-35 development talks
Topic Started: Feb 15 2013, 04:42 AM (191 Views)
Jos1311
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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Posted Image - Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defence
Posted Image - Philip Hammond, Secretary of Defence
Posted Image - Giampaolo di Paola, Minister of Defence
Posted Image - Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister of Defence
Posted Image - Stephen Smith, Minister of Defence
Posted Image - Robert Fonberg, Deputy Minister of National Defence
Posted Image - Nick Hækkerup, Minister of Defence
Posted Image - Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, Minister of Defence
Posted Image - İsmet Yılmaz, Ministers of National Defence
Posted Image - Ehud Barak, Minister of Defense
Posted Image - Mohamad Maliki Osman, Minister of Defence
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Posted Image Leon Panetta
Secretary of Defense
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First let me welcome you all to Fort Worth, Texas. I would like to welcome you in the center where the F-35 lightning II is rapidly becoming a reality. Here, at the Air Force Plant 4, the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is working hard to deliver the first batches of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft to its customers.

Flight testing of the F-35A Lightning II has been progressing steadily, and is nearing completion. The flight testing for the B and C models is also steadily advancing, and will near completion in the coming years as well. I am proud to announce that the United States Department of Defense has placed its first large order for a total of 96 aircraft, of all three models. These are expected to be delivered in 2015 and 2016, and come on top of the 90 that have already been ordered or delivered. Washington confirms its commitment to purchase no less than 2,443 aircraft. However at this moment it is becoming more and more important that the other partners in this project also announce how much aircraft they will purchase and if they are willing to remain committed to the project.

Lockheed Martin and Turkey have already signed an agreement for the delivery of 24 F-35A and 12 F-35B aircraft. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Turkish counterpart for their faith in the project and the aircraft as a whole, and would like to invite the other partner states to discuss the possible acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II. We know that various countries are considering lowering the number of aircraft they will purchase, and while this is understandable when looking at the current economic climate, we urge our partners to seriously consider the consequences of lowering their orders.

I ask all partners to pose their questions, concerns and remarks on the entire project now, when myself and the people of Lockheed Martin can address them, while I also request you provide us with more information about the plans you have for purchasing the aircraft.
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Circo
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Posted Image Leon Panetta
Secretary of Defense

As with all technology, advancements will always be made. Advancements in sensors and computing may indeed overcome a pure stealth configuration; that being an aircraft designed with a minimalistic RCS. However, the F-35 has defined interfaces that allow electronic warfare systems to counter advancements in sensor development to retain it's stealth capabilities. One of the reasons for the increased cost of the F-35 has been because of the development of this system to ensure the F-35 isn't rendered obsolete in ten years time.

With regards to range, the F-35 has a range of 2,220 km on internal tanks which is still beyond that of the Eurofighter, Super Hornet and the Gripen. As with all aircraft, this can be extended via external drop tanks at the expense of reduced stealth.

With regards to maneuverability, the F-35 isn't designed for dogfighting: it's designed to engage targets beyond-the-horizon before detected. The avionic and sensors package in the F-35 has been proven capable of detecting and jamming the F-22s radars; a feat that I hope demonstrates the capabilities of the F-35 in detected and eliminating targets before it is spotted. Coupled with the DAS missile warning systems, the F-35 shouldn't find itself in a situation where maneuverability is an issue.
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PolishPrince
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Philip Hammond
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With regards to range, the B variant we are purchasing only has an effective range of approximately 1,670KMs. Which is somewhat lower than the Eurofighter, which has an effective range of around 2,900 KMs.

We will, as stated, continue with an order for the STOVL variant - that has already been decided. However we are still not convinced that the F-35 will be suitable for the development of a territorial defence force, or indeed for conducting combat operations in theaters where there is runway access.

There is also the real possibility that an F-35 force could be intercepted before it could deliver it's payload, due to an over estimation of it's stealth capabilities. This possibility, that British pilots could be flying outdated tech within a handful of years of taking possession of this multi-billion pound fighter is entirely distasteful. We are, in short, not entirely convinced this craft will be able to fulfil the role it is designed to achieve. Russian SAM systems are already quite advanced, and IRST systems could indeed render the F-35 quite useless re: stealth.

It's lower speed also poses some concern, as it is entirely possible it could be intercepted by faster moving enemy aircraft; meaning this far slower, less maneuverable craft could end up in a dog fight it is not designed for. This is the root of our concerns, and the reason we are unlikely to consider this craft for non-carrier orders.

((OOC: Think the ranges are correct, I'm going on Google and wiki lol))
Edited by PolishPrince, Mar 1 2013, 12:40 AM.
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Circo
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Posted Image Leon Panetta
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The F-35 has been designed to cover all aspects of stealth. Whilst the exterior design is built around the minimization of it's RCS, the F-35 design includes infrared and visual signature reduction incorporated. Focusing on infrared emissions, as that seems to be of the most concern, the F-35 Engine nozzles employ specially designed shaping, ceramic shielding, and other coatings to effectively reduce IR Emissions. Coupled with the AN/AAQ-37 distributed aperture system, the most advanced infrared sensors available on an aircraft, the F-35 will be able to meet, match and beat any infrared system that will be available in the foreseeable future. If the unthinkable should happen and a pilot find themselves engaged, the F-35 has a higher surviveability rating that current 4th generation fighters and critical systems have been shielded to enable a pilot to return to base. If any advancements be made that see the F-35 comprised, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensure a prompt upgrade is provided to ensure the F-35 remains at the top of the pack.

With regards to speed, the F-35 has 360 awareness with systems to detect potential threats before they are in a "lethal range". With radar, infrared, electronic warfare systems and RF tracking functions all built into the F-35, there shouldn't be a situation where interception becomes a critical concern. Most fighters focus on forward mounted devices to detect hostile threats, the F-35 continuously scans in every direction. Coupled with it's ability to destroy targets at long ranges, dogfighting is and will be a thing of the past.
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