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Reply With QuoteOH YEAH, SWEEEET Daddy! Thanks for the great pics and videos Jeff.
This is a discussion on US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Progress, Photos & Videos within the World Armed Forces forums, part of the World Strategic Defence Area category; I didn't see a specific thread about this aircraft and its progress, pictures, videos, etc, so thought I would start ...
Senior Member
I didn't see a specific thread about this aircraft and its progress, pictures, videos, etc, so thought I would start one as it has the potential to have such a huge impact on US and other nation's military.
Latest info in the two following videos:
Two F-35B (STOVL) US Marine variant Operate off of the USS LHD USS Wasp:
An F-35C (Navy variant) is launched from EMALS, the new electromagentic catapault for the US Navy's Ford class super aircraft carriers:
For pictures here on sinodefenceforum, see my gallery:
Jeff Head's F-35 Picture Album:
Jeff Head's SinoDefenceForum F-35 Photo Album
For a good read and write-up on the F-35 overall, see the following site:
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Please post articles and particularly project updates regarding the aircraft, including pictures and videos to this thread.
Early in 2011 there were a total of 19 F-35s already built, 13 F-35As for the US Air Force, 4 F-35Bs for the US Marines, and 2 F-35Cs for the US Navy. Throughout 2011 eleven more F-35s have been added for a total of 30 aircraft by the end of 2011.
The first production delivery of an F-35A to the US Air Force occurred in May of 2011. A total of eight production aircraft for the US Air Force have now been built.
Current plans call for, starting in 2012 and through 2014, the production rate to be about three aircraft per month...and then ramp up to full production thereafter. By that time, the US will have built 148 aircraft.
Last edited by Jeff Head; 12-01-2011 at 03:14 PM. Reason: Corrected some typos
Senior Member
OH YEAH, SWEEEET Daddy! Thanks for the great pics and videos Jeff.
Senior Member
No problem. I especially like the video of the two F-35Bs on the Wasp. In the not too distant future, US and allied LHAs and LHDs and Sea control vessels will have wings of these very capable aircraft on them and it will change the nature of their capabilities.Originally Posted by Equation
I expect, at some point to really see a AEW version of the V-22 to augment this, and an ASW variant of the same.
Then, each small carrier will have significant capability on par with larger vessels, just less numbers of aircraft which do not have the range as full size carrier aircraft. But, if they develop a tanker V-22...they will help with the range issue as well...an EW V-22, or EW Variant of the JSF? Who knows!
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Very impressive indeed. BZ USN for getting this aircraft on board carriers, however let's hope that Leon Penatta would defend the curtailment of further production from impending US Defence cuts.
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Senior Member
That's a nice pic.
Here's a current diagram of everything the CTOL and CV (Air Force and Navy) variants will be certified to carry:
...and another video of the F-35 in flight:
Last edited by Jeff Head; 12-01-2011 at 06:35 PM.
Senior Member
What I like the most of this aircraft is the STOVL that take off with neither catapult or ski jump.
How come the wiring inside the bomb bay not hidden? Aren't afraid that those wiring might be damaged by the flame of the AMRAAM?
Last edited by SteelBird; 12-01-2011 at 06:55 PM.
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The missiles are ejected from the weapons bay before it fires up. If you've seen videos of F-22 firing missiles you can tell that they don't start up until they are a good distance away from the aircraft.
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VMT Jeff for the Video. VTOL will be good for small carriers like the JMSDF's "Hyuga", that is if Japan is able to purchase the F-35.
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I believe they are, just not the F-22 Raptor.
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With that in mind, do you think the future LHDs and LHAs can be built as large as a 100,000 ton super carrier as these VTOL improve and expand?
Junior Member
ah F-35 thread nice
@Equation : 100.000 tons LHD/LHA would be too big, F-35B is designed to replace Harriers and fulfill Marines' organic air assets/air support requirements, air superiority and power projection are still USAF and USN's job
i bet the USN won't be happy to hear a 100k ton LHD/LHA proposal
Senior Member
I think it was navy opposition that prevented ski-jumps from being added to the wasps as it was feared such an upgrade would make them perform too much like carriers and raise questions about the cost effectiveness of the navy's bug flat tops.
But anyways, what is the production and delivery schedule like? In terms of the versions being made and for who.
Will the first few years of production be dedicated to US needs or will partners and allies start getting their aircraft at the same time?
Senior Member
They will begin getting small numbers to test earlier. Larger production runs in and after 2015 will be apportioned...the bulk going to the US services, but with percentages going to the various tiered partners based on their investment and numbers needed.
In an effort to get the Japanes business (which because of the 22DDH I believe they will), they are offering to let Japan license build a large part of the aircraft in Japan.
Junior Member
the current production batch is LRIP-4 (Low Rate Initial Production 4) with each LRIP with different numbers of airframes produced/procured
the first international/partner country airframe produced is UK F-35B
Lockheed Completes First U.K. Joint Strike Fighter - Defense News
here is F-35 dev schedule
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