F-35 Lightning II developments

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35A AF-355 20-5595 LN 493FS/48FW 14-12-2022
on tail motto ''MORS INIMICIS''

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/525 ... 820_5k.jpg

[tally]

F-35A AF-355 20-5595 LN 493FS/48FW 14-12-2022
on tail motto ''MORS INIMICIS''

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/525 ... 820_5k.jpg

Good catch. I did not even realize it to be honest that this one will go to the 493rd.
So checking the other LN bird, AF-358, 20-5598, it also is a 493rd bird.

Tally.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35B reported as ''grounded''

Pentagon grounds some F-35s after ejection on Texas runway
Dec 27, 092022

A source familiar with the program, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the incident, said the JPO’s initial assessment found that a propulsion system issue led to the Dec. 15 crash of the hovering F-35B, which has now led to broader groundings in the fleet.

The source said that, in guidance to the services, the JPO said a failure of a tube used to transfer high-pressure fuel in the fighter’s F135 engine prompted the office to update its safety risk assessments.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35A AF-397 (FY21), first for 115FW WI ANG, is set to be delivered in May 2023

27-12-2022
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FlCKQR2agAM ... =4096x4096

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Contracts For Dec. 30, 2022
127 F-35s Lot 16 aircraft
- 89 F-35A
- 23 F-35B
- 15 F-35C

F-35s deliveries halted

31-12-2022
nr 894 F-35s delivered
nr 141 F-35s delivered CY22

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Finnish AF
The type code of Finland's future F-35A Lightning II fleet is JF.
The designation is derived from the English words Joint Fighter. The fleet is numbered per machine, starting with code JF-501 and ending with code JF-564.
The traditions of fighter squadrons 11 and 31 are respected by marking the squadron insignia Visentti and Ilves on the outer surfaces of the side stabilizers of JF-511 and JF-531 aircraft.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmCO5yjWYAA ... =4096x4096

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Canada finalizes agreement to buy 88 US F-35 fighter jets

09-01-2023

TORONTO — Canada has finalized an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp and the United States government to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets, government officials said Monday.
The first four aircraft are anticipated to be delivered in 2026 with full operational capacity for the fleet expected between 2032 and 2034.

[tally]

AT-07, 18-5413, came into NAS Fort Worth JRB, Jan 9, 2023. Came in as Duke 01 and carried the tailcode WI. I guess came in for some updates and will be transferred to the WI ANG, 176 FS.

Still no other F-35 flights locally at the factory. Is it the same in Italy?


Tally.

[VEGA]

AN-019/F-019 back to FACO Cameri yesterday for some maintenance/update. Both AN-034/F-034 and BL-06 (Italian Navy 4-04) completed their test flights before mid December but are still to be delivered.

Vega

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Still no other F-35 flights locally at the factory. Is it the same in Italy?
Tally.

All test / delivery flight halted
F-35s with less than 40FH grounded
when you will see a new F-35 airborne the stop will be lifted

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35A AF-07 07-0745 ED on 06-01-2023

First test flight of an F-35 loaded with a series of upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3.
The successful test flight marks a step toward loading the fighter with improved computer memory and processing power, and it lays the groundwork for a major modernization effort known as Block 4.
The 461st Flight Test Squadron conducted the 50-minute test flight of the F-35A, which had the tail number AF-7, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the F-35 Joint Program Office said Tuesday.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

AT-07, 18-5413, came into NAS Fort Worth JRB, Jan 9, 2023. Came in as Duke 01 and carried the tailcode WI. I guess came in for some updates and will be transferred to the WI ANG, 176 FS.
Tally.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmtwHwmaMAA ... ame=medium

[Starfighter_F-104G]

24.01.2023
US Navy contract awarded for one F-35A, one F-35B, and one F-35C new flight science test aircraft to replace aging flight science test aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Lockheed: F-35 deliveries can’t resume until mishap investigation done

Jan 25, 02:57 PM

WASHINGTON — Nearly six weeks into the acceptance flight pause that has halted deliveries of new F-35 fighters, it remains uncertain when they will resume.

In an earnings call with analysts Tuesday, Lockheed Martin chief executive Jim Taiclet said the company is awaiting the completion of an investigation into a Dec. 15 F-35B mishap before acceptance flights — required before new fighters can be delivered — can once again take place.

Taiclet did not provide a time frame for when he expects deliveries to resume.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

A fix for the engine troubles that grounded new F-35s and halted deliveries has been found.

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/02 ... eliveries/

Engine maker PW confirms, and expects to resume delivering F135s by the end of Feb 2023.
“After thorough review, we can confidently say there were no quality issues with the [engine] fuel tube that fractured,” said Jen Latka, vice president of the F135 program for Pratt & Whitney. “We are dealing with a rare systems phenomenon involving harmonic resonance.
“We have developed a near-term remedy that allows the fleet to fly safely, and we expect that F135 engine deliveries could resume before the end of the month.”