F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread

Wednesday at 2:21 PM
according to Jane's (dated 08 November 2017) Germany declares preference for F-35 to replace Tornado

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and now DefenseNews:
German Air Force hints at preference for F-35
12 hours ago
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German Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Karl Muellner has appeared to make a new push for the F-35 fighter jet to replace the country’s aging Tornado aircraft in the mid-2020s.


Speaking at an industry conference in Berlin on Wednesday and in an interview with Reuters that day, Muellner said his service needs a stealthy fifth-generation fighter capable of attacking targets from far away — a description closely resembling the advertised features of Lockheed Martin’s F-35.

The Air Force is known to favor the F-35 over three other contenders — the F-15E, the F-18 and an upgraded Eurofigher — and Muellner previously has been even more explicit about his desire to get the jets, according to experts in Germany.

Advocates believe the F-35 could quickly meet Germany’s requirements — including the need to carry U.S. nuclear bombs under NATO’s extended deterrence umbrella in Europe — and cement defense ties with the United States at the same time.

But officials at the Federal Ministry of Defence stressed that Muellner was speaking strictly from an operational point of view, leaving out financial, industrial and political considerations that would factor into a new acquisition.

“We are currently in the market survey phase,” a ministry spokesman told Defense News on Thursday, adding that the Air Force will not be the lone decider on which plane to pick. At the same time, Muellner’s opinion would be heard, according to the spokesman.

The ministry expects responses early next year to formal requests for information about all four aircraft types in play, the spokesman said. Based on that, officials in mid-2018 will extend invitations to bid to those vendors that make the cut.

“JSF is not a done deal,” said Christian Moelling, an analyst at the Berlin-based think tank German Council on Foreign Relations, using shorthand for the F-35′s other name, Joint Strike Fighter. Moelling argued one big obstacle to an off-the-shelf aircraft from the Americans is that Germany’s industry would see little benefit in such a scenario.
 
Saturday at 4:49 PM
according to DefenseNews Trump could let the UAE buy F-35 jets
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and US Air Force official confirms rumors of F-35 talks with UAE

2 hours ago
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The U.S. Defense Department has begun talks with the United Arab Emirates about a potential sale of F-35 joint strike fighters, the U.S. Air Force’s number-two general said Friday.

The statements, made by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Stephen Wilson during a roundtable with reporters ahead of Dubai Airshow, confirm an earlier report by Defense News. The story cited sources close to the talks that claimed President Donald Trump’s administration was considering delivering a classified briefing on the jet’s capabilities to UAE officials.

“Specifically with the F-35, you look at all of our partner nations now and as we look at their requirements. Here in the Gulf, they share many of the same adversaries and many of the same challenges, so discussions are ongoing now with the administration on partner nations that may require them,” Wilson said, adding later that UAE is one of the countries currently discussing the matter with the United States.

“Any time you go through that, there’s a process to do that, so they’ve started the process. And with that, any dicsusions bilaterally between nations is held close. So furhter things on that will have to come from the UAE,” he continued.

Wilson would not confirm when a classified briefing could occur, saying “that is part of the discussions and the process going forward.”

If a deal moves through, the UAE would become the first Gulf nation to acquire the F-35, which is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. However, it could potentially face several barriers that may dash hopes of a sale. First and foremost is potential objections from Israel over a perceived erosion of its qualitative military edge.

However, sources had told Defense News that Israel is unlikely to raise alarms over a deal with the UAE, unless the United States also decides to start up negotiations with other Gulf countries.

Others argued that it may take a decade to work out a contract with the UAE and for Lockheed to deliver its first F-35 — more than enough time for the United States to meet its commitments to preserve Israel’s military edge in the Middle East.

Wilson acknowledged that the United States will have to work with U.S. partners to ensure a sale to UAE doesn’t raise security concerns.

“That’s part of all the things we’re going to look at going forward,” he told reporters.

Another potential roadblock could be the UAE’s dealings with Russia. At IDEX earlier this year, Russia and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding to codevelop a fifth generation fighter, which would be produced by Russian defense industry heavyweight Rostec and based on the MiG-29 fighter aircraft.

Asked whether that partnership could deter the United States from allowing a foreign military sale of the F-35 to the UAE, Wilson declined to comment.
 
Today at 7:15 AM
Wednesday at 2:21 PM
and now DefenseNews:
German Air Force hints at preference for F-35
12 hours ago
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and here's what AirForceMag had to say:
Lightning After Tornados
11/9/2017
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The F-35 Joint Program Office confirmed that Germany is taking steps to buy the Lightning II, but these moves are not yet final. A new request for information is in the offing, after Luftwaffe and German government officials received a classified briefing on the Lockheed Martin F-35 in July, a JPO spokesman said.

Germany needs a minimum of 40 stealthy aircraft for strike to replace some of its swing-wing Tornado aircraft, which have been in service since the 1970s. The new jets would complement Germany’s Eurofighter Typhoons.

Jane’s reported that a senior Luftwaffe official said in late October that the F-35 is the “preferred choice” of the German government, offering the required stealth and sensor capabilities, as well as connectivity and interoperability with other NATO air arms. The German government was also looking at F/A-18E/F and F-15E fighters from Boeing as recently as October, and is reportedly also considering a further batch of Typhoons optimized for ground attack, but the Luftwaffe preference is apparently for a “fifth generation” aircraft. A formal decision is expected around June of next year.

Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, in Norway this week for an F-35 delivery ceremony, said her company is working with the German government and naturally believes the F-35 would be the “best choice” for Bonn. She also said that Belgium, Canada, and Finland continue to evaluate the F-35 for their needs.

Britain, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Turkey are partners on the F-35, and Italian F-35s are starting to come out of that country’s own Final Assembly and Check-Out facility.

The 85-strong Tornado fleet is showing its age, and German press reports, quoting government documents, have said that less than 30 are mission capable. Full retirement is slated to come no later than 2030, at which point the Luftwaffe will need to have fielded a replacement. Deliveries of new jets would likely be targeted starting in 2025.

Germany and France recently said they are collaborating on a new, indigenous European fifth generation fighter as part of what they call the Future Combat Air System, or FCAS, but they estimate delivery of the fighter element around 2040; too late for the Luftwaffe’s needs. Airbus is taking the lead on that program. The F-35 buy, if it happens, might be a stopgap measure until the FCAS fighter arrives.
 

FORBIN

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I really like the way they have been putting many F-35Bs through their paces on the LHDs and LHAs.

Also, with Norway now getting their first three birds.

The beat goes on.
And i catch on a USN PDF to Sasebo Bonhomme Richard replaced by America in 2019 !
And next year 2 Virginia move from Groton to Pearl Harbor, also 4th and 5th new Burke for Mayport, 3 th Everett.
 
Yesterday at 2:03 PM
Saturday at 4:49 PM
and US Air Force official confirms rumors of F-35 talks with UAE

2 hours ago
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now
DUBAI: USA discussing F-35 sale to United Arab Emirates

11 November, 2017
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The US government is discussing the potential sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters with the United Arab Emirates, the US Air Force’s vice chief of staff has confirmed.

After the Obama administration pushed back on a previous request from the UAE, the possibility of an F-35 sale appears to have gained renewed traction under President Donald Trump.

In an interview with reporters on the eve of the Dubai air show, Gen Stephen Wilson confirmed news reports on the preliminary discussions with the UAE.

“As you look here in the Middle East they share common threats and so we’re looking at options on who we share those [F-35s] within the Gulf,” Wilson says. “So the discussions are ongoing now with the new administration on selling F-35s to partner nations that need them and require them.”

In February, Abu Dhabi signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia to develop a fifth-generation fighter jet, potentially hindering any F-35 sale. However, Wilson declines to comment on the issue.

Operating a mixed inventory of American and Russian fighters is not unprecedented, although the fleets do not often include stealth aircraft. Malaysia flies both Boeing F/A-18s and Sukhoi Su-30s; Egypt operates F-16s and MiG-21s; and Pakistan uses F-16s and Chinese-built JF-17s.

Israeli objections could also quash any potential sale of the F-35 to the UAE. But even a sale to an adversary in the Gulf may not erode Tel Aviv's qualitative military edge, since deliveries would not begin in the near term.

The Israeli air force received its initial batch of Joint Strike Fighters earlier this year and deliveries of all 50 aircraft are expected to be complete in 2027.
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
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Curious all is new ! very good F-16 Block60/61 and 100 whose again 20 to delivered, 60 customised Mirage 2000-9 the best variant wilth all the panoply for weapons with a radar RDY-2 Mirage 2000-5 have RDY a little less good the first is close of the RBE-2 PESA used by first Rafale after AESA variant.

Or they want increase the number :eek:
Trump could let the UAE buy F-35 jets
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And no the deal for 25 F-16E/F Block 61 never finalised i have see in AFM 11/2017 so 77 Block 60 in service + 60 Mirage 2000-9 but 30 old refurbished normaly as new but maybe not ?
So saying about 30 can be a deal in this case the first for a Arab country in this region but i prefer Rafale :)
 
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FORBIN

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F-16 use Penguin Mk-3
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F-35 arrivals propel Norwegian air force modernisation

The Royal Norwegian Air Force has conducted its first domestic flights with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, after a trio of the fifth-generation type touched down at its Ørland air base early this month.

Oslo's lead arrivals from an eventually 52-strong fleet of the conventional take-off and landing fighter were formally welcomed during a ceremony held at the base on 10 November, following their formal acceptance by its Defence Materiel Agency.

The F-35As had landed at Ørland on 3 November, after a 9h 22min delivery flight from Lockheed's Fort Worth plant in Texas conducted by US pilots. They were met on entering Norwegian airspace by a pair of Lockheed Martin F-16s – the type they will be replacing in service.

Norway has so far received 10 F-35s, including four that will remain permanently at the US Air Force's Luke AFB in Arizona to support Norwegian and multinational pilot training. The jets flown to Ørland early this month are its most recent examples, carrying the tail numbers 5148-5150, while its other seven aircraft are currently in use at Luke AFB.
"This marks the start of reaching the next milestone: making the aircraft combat ready," says Royal Norwegian Air Force chief of staff Maj Gen Tonje Skinnarland. The new type is scheduled to achieve initial operational capability status with the service during 2019, and to be declared fully operational in 2025.

"The F-35 remains crucial to the continued modernisation of our armed forces, and our ability to preserve Norwegian and allied security and interests," says defence minister Frank Bakke-Jensen.

"From 2018, Norway will receive six aircraft annually up until, and including, 2024," the nation's defence ministry says. Maj Gen Morten Klever, its F-35 programme director, notes that Oslo's acquisition is "delivering on all key criteria: time, cost and performance".

Lockheed on 6 November announced that it has delivered a full-mission simulator for the F-35 to Norway. Once operational at Ørland, this will be used to deliver "pilot qualification, continuation and mission-rehearsal training", it says.

Meanwhile, a braking parachute modification developed to support Norwegian operations on short and icy runways will be tested at Eielson AFB in Alaska late this year, Lockheed says. Oslo's aircraft will also be equipped with the Joint Strike Missile, which is being developed by Kongsberg Defence Systems. To be carried internally by the F-35, the 4m (13.1ft)-long, 416kg (916lb) weapon will be capable of attacking land and maritime targets from a stand-off range of up to 150nm (277km).

"More than a dozen Norwegian companies are helping deliver the F-35, from manufacturing parts to providing services across the programme," Lockheed says.
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FORBIN

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Trump could let the UAE buy F-35 jets
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And no the deal for 25 F-16E/F Block 61 never finalised i have see in AFM 11/2017 so 77 Block 60 in service + 60 Mirage 2000-9 but 30 old refurbished normaly as new but maybe not ?
So saying about 30 can be a deal in this case the first for a Arab country in this region but i prefer Rafale :)

I have gifts of seer seems and they keep 2000-9 and also a deal for upgraded F-16E/F Block 60

Dassault to modernize UAE’s Mirage fleet for a reported $350M
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UAE wants to buy 24 F-35s

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates Air Force will undergo a restructuring, guided in part by plans to buy two squadrans of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.


“We are currently forming a specialized committee to assess the risks, threats and needs of the UAE Air Force,” and then evaluate available platforms to meet requirements, according to an Emirati military source.

Much of the focus at the Dubai Air Show has been on the Gulf country’s progress toward authorization to purchase the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. According to military sources with knowledge of the matter, “the talks between the two parties are [focused on] sensitive systems in the aircraft that need export permit.” The sources refused to disclose the value of the deal, but said it would be limited in the first phase to the purchase of two squadrons, or 24 Aircraft.
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