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

Friday at 9:49 PM
Jun 22, 2018
also wow:
Trump guarantees F-35 deliveries to Ankara, says Turkish minister

29 June, 2018
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while With their F-35 program in limbo, Turkish pilots begin training in US

13 hours ago
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Turkish pilots and maintainers have arrived at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona to begin training on their first two F-35 fighter aircraft ― but the jets themselves
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for at least the next year, the Pentagon said Monday.

The jets were flown by Lockheed Martin last week to the Arizona base, which is home to the F-35 international partner training program.
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will likely take their first flight in them in about a month, after they complete some initial classroom and simulator training, said Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Andrews, a Pentagon spokesman. Completion of full pilot training, which is a condition of Turkey assuming custody of the jets takes between one to two years, Andrews said.

But Turkey may not get the jets even after training is complete. The Senate passed language in its version of the 2019 defense authorization bill that would block the jets’ sale to Turkey based on U.S. concerns over Turkey’s purchase of a
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The House would still need to agree to the language in the final version of the bill.

Both options, to transfer the jet or block it, have potential negative consequences. If Turkey obtains custody, it could lead to Russia gaining sensitive technical information about the aircraft through the S-400 system. If the F-35 transfer is blocked, it could agitate the NATO ally to the point that use of Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base is restricted. The U.S. has depended on Incirlik to conduct its air campaign against the Islamic State in Syria.

“Following established agreements, the U.S. government maintains custody of the aircraft until custody is transferred to the partner,” said Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman. “The U.S. government has not made a determination on Turkey’s future participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.”

Turkey has been a partner in the program since 2002 and has plans to acquire 100 of the fighters.

Until clear direction comes from the White House or Congress, the program will continue, Andrews said.

“The department is not going to comment on proposed legislation,” he said. “Until something changes, they are going to continue their flight academics at Luke.”
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
can't find the last post on Lot 11 quickly, anyway
Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Close To Securing F-35 Lot 11

Jun 28, 2018
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The Pentagon and
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are nearing a deal for the 11th lot of
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that includes more than 130 jets, multiple congressional aides say.
IMpressive. Another 130 aircraft in this lot.

...and the beat goes on.

The F-35 is going to be prolific, and will be the most widely used and popular 5th gneration stealth aircraft avaialble to the US and its allies.

And with the three types, particularly the "B" variant, it will also be the most widely used for aircraft carriers of all types. Particularly when including the "C" variant for US super carriers.
 

Equation

Lieutenant General
Is this true? Just curious.

Italy says won't buy more F-35 fighter jets, may cut existing order

Reuters Staff

ROME (Reuters) - Italy will not buy more Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets and is considering whether to stick to the order to which it is already committed, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said on Friday.


FILE PHOTO: Italian Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta arrives at a NATO meeting in Brussels, Belgium, June 8, 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo
Trenta comes from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement which has always been critical of NATO member Italy’s order for 90 of the planes, saying the money could be better spent to boost welfare and help the sluggish economy.

“We won’t buy any more F-35s,” Trenta said in a television interview with private broadcaster La 7. “We are assessing what to do regarding the contracts already in place.”





FILE PHOTO: A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is seen in its hanger at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland, U.S., October 28, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron/File Photo
She spelled out several reasons to be cautious, saying that “strong financial penalties” could mean that “scrapping the order could cost us more than maintaining it.”

She also cited benefits in terms of technology and research in Italy linked to the planes, as well as jobs that would be lost.

The F-35 is made by Lockheed Martin Corp, with companies including Northrop Grumman Corp, United Technologies Corp’s Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems Plc also involved.

However, Trenta said she saw merit in stretching out the purchases in order to free up resources for investments in European defense projects.


Some 5-Star officials said last year that Italy should cancel the order for the fighters altogether, but Trenta made clear she had reservations about this.

“No one is hiding the fact we have always been critical ... In view of the existing contracts signed by the previous government, we are carrying out a careful assessment that exclusively considers the national interest,” she said.

The 5-Star Movement formed a populist coalition government last month with the far right League party.

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timepass

Brigadier
Italian Defence Minister: We won’t buy any more F-35s, may cut existing order..

36718762_904806826356479_766684621915029504_n.jpg


ROME (Reuters) - Italy will not buy more Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets and is considering whether to stick to the order to which it is already committed, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said on Friday.

Trenta comes from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement which has always been critical of NATO member Italy’s order for 90 of the planes, saying the money could be better spent to boost welfare and help the sluggish economy.

Trenta comes from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement which has always been critical of NATO member Italy’s order for 90 of the planes, saying the money could be better spent to boost welfare and help the sluggish economy.

“We won’t buy any more F-35s,” Trenta said in a television interview with private broadcaster La 7. “We are assessing what to do regarding the contracts already in place.”

She spelled out several reasons to be cautious, saying that “strong financial penalties” could mean that “scrapping the order could cost us more than maintaining it.”

She also cited benefits in terms of technology and research in Italy linked to the planes, as well as jobs that would be lost.

The F-35 is made by Lockheed Martin Corp, with companies including Northrop Grumman Corp, United Technologies Corp’s Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems Plc also involved.

However, Trenta said she saw merit in stretching out the purchases in order to free up resources for investments in European defense projects.

Some 5-Star officials said last year that Italy should cancel the order for the fighters altogether, but Trenta made clear she had reservations about this.

“No one is hiding the fact we have always been critical ... In view of the existing contracts signed by the previous government, we are carrying out a careful assessment that exclusively considers the national interest,” she said.

The 5-Star Movement formed a populist coalition government last month with the far right League party.

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Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Italy has a manufacturing plant and the abilit to do maintenance right there. They are crzy to cut orders when they have the ability to make money (from other partners) and save money themselves on their aircraft with such facilities.

They will end up ruining a GREAT opportunity they have and will end up having to shut them down with such an attitude and outlook.

While Italy make such foolish statements, other nations are looking at buying more, particularly as the price drops.

Really...it's a pity for Italy, but the F-35 program overall continues to grow and be very bright.
 
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