What is up with the F-35? Part II

[Albany Rifles]

Maybe I am missing something. From that infallible source Wiki,

"Being relatively expensive to maintain amid post-Cold War budget cuts, the USAF elected to retire its F-111 fleet during the 1990s; the last F-111Fs were withdrawn in 1996 while the remaining EF-111s also departed in 1998. The F-111 was replaced in USAF service by the F-15E Strike Eagle for medium-range precision strike missions,"

Edit: Oh we are talking about Australian Air Force. I will show myself out.

Yeah...the F-111 was an awesome bomb trck. But the issue wasn't capabilities. The Vark is an enormous parts hog. And some repair parts were no longer being manufactured so had to go through continuous rebuilds.

[Dazed]

I totally agree...good strike aircraft to replace the 'Varks.

BTBH may favorite naval strike aircraft of all time was the Buccaneer!

For the US it was the AD-1 Skyraider which could lug 3 Mark 13 aerial torpedoes or the A-6 loaded with HARMs & MK 84s!

Maybe I am missing something. From that infallible source Wiki,

"Being relatively expensive to maintain amid post-Cold War budget cuts, the USAF elected to retire its F-111 fleet during the 1990s; the last F-111Fs were withdrawn in 1996 while the remaining EF-111s also departed in 1998. The F-111 was replaced in USAF service by the F-15E Strike Eagle for medium-range precision strike missions,"

Edit: Oh we are talking about Australian Air Force. I will show myself out.

[Monash]

You mean like this?



KOKAF F-15Ks
Saudi and Qatar F-15SE and F-15QAs are all capable

Exactly. Would have loved to have seen them in RAAF service alongside the F-35. IMO (amateur as it is) they would complement each other nicely. The 35s take the lead and clear out enemy air opposition, forward SAM sites & radars/picket ships etc while the 15s follow close behind and unleash a shit tonne of extended range JAASAMs addressed to 'whomever it may concern' from way outside normal engagement ranges.

[Monash]

I totally agree...good strike aircraft to replace the 'Varks.

BTBH may favorite naval strike aircraft of all time was the Buccaneer!

For the US it was the AD-1 Skyraider which could lug 3 Mark 13 aerial torpedoes or the A-6 loaded with HARMs & MK 84s!

Same here regarding the Buccaneer. Beautiful aircraft and very good at its job. From memory I recall the Brits loved them so much they kept them in service as long as they could until they literally couldn't keep them flying anymore.

[Gun Grape]

Either way if they end up with a few dozen brand new or nearly so F-15's that are surplus to requirements I can think of few potential customers who would put up their hands. Hell, I've said before that some 'navalized' F-15s (equipped for maritime strike missions not carrier ops) would make a great potential additional to Australia's Air Force.

You mean like this?



KOKAF F-15Ks
Saudi and Qatar F-15SE and F-15QAs are all capable

[Albany Rifles]

Either way if they end up with a few dozen brand new or nearly so F-15's that are surplus to requirements I can think of few potential customers who would put up their hands. Hell, I've said before that some 'navalized' F-15s (equipped for maritime strike missions not carrier ops) would make a great potential additional to Australia's Air Force.

I totally agree...good strike aircraft to replace the 'Varks.

BTBH may favorite naval strike aircraft of all time was the Buccaneer!

For the US it was the AD-1 Skyraider which could lug 3 Mark 13 aerial torpedoes or the A-6 loaded with HARMs & MK 84s!

[Monash]

It could be a bit of both. The vendor who is manufacturing the parts for the fix may have said "I can fill your order but its going to be 9 months" & the F-15X office may have better voodoo dolls and Ouija board against them!

Either way if they end up with a few dozen brand new or nearly so F-15's that are surplus to requirements I can think of few potential customers who would put up their hands. Hell, I've said before that some 'navalized' F-15s (equipped for maritime strike missions not carrier ops) would make a great potential additional to Australia's Air Force.

[Albany Rifles]

I was more concerned about the availability issue. If new F-35s are going into storage pending 'fixes' and they're cutting the number of new F-15's back they must either be pretty confident of the time line for implementing that fix or else someone is 'gambling' on that date and they're cutting back on F-15's on a fingers crossed basis.

It could be a bit of both. The vendor who is manufacturing the parts for the fix may have said "I can fill your order but its going to be 9 months" & the F-15X office may have better voodoo dolls and Ouija board against them!

[Monash]

Depends...depends who is running the 2 different program management offices. Cause money is always the key driver.

I was more concerned about the availability issue. If new F-35s are going into storage pending 'fixes' and they're cutting the number of new F-15's back they must either be pretty confident of the time line for implementing that fix or else someone is 'gambling' on that date and they're cutting back on F-15's on a fingers crossed basis.

[Albany Rifles]

Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have agreed to involve Israeli defense companies in the production of aircraft components, the Israeli ministry added.
_______

I actually see this as a win. Due to Diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS) spreading the parts procurement ability across multiple vendors and adds greatly to sustainability. You see Raytheon dealing with this for more missiles...they are offering huge bonuses to retirees who return to work and train new employees.

[Albany Rifles]

Interestingly I was just reading how the the US Airforce had indicated it would be cutting back on orders of the F15 ex down to about 140 and then end production because it thought F-35 availability in the near future was looking better than anticipated. Right hand, left hand problem?

Depends...depends who is running the 2 different program management offices. Cause money is always the key driver.

[TopHatter]

Israel to buy 25 more F-35 stealth jets in $3 billion deal

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel has approved the purchase of a third squadron of F-35 stealth fighter jets in a deal worth $3 billion, the Ministry of Defense said on Sunday.

The additional 25 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin will bring the number of F-35s in Israel's air force to 75, the ministry said, adding that the deal will be financed through the defense aid package Israel receives from the United States.

Israel was the first country outside the United States to acquire the F-35. In May 2018 its air force chief said that Israel was the first to use the plane in combat.

The F-35 is also known as the Joint Strike Fighter and in Israel by its Hebrew name “Adir” (Mighty).

Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have agreed to involve Israeli defense companies in the production of aircraft components, the Israeli ministry added.
_______

[tbm3fan]

*facepalm*

Every time the F-35 comes up I think of Robert Gates and so does Ward

[Monash]

Interestingly I was just reading how the the US Airforce had indicated it would be cutting back on orders of the F15 ex down to about 140 and then end production because it thought F-35 availability in the near future was looking better than anticipated. Right hand, left hand problem?

[TopHatter]

[B]Latest F-35s Will Go Directly Into Storage Until Upgrade Woes Ironed Out

*facepalm*