F-35 Lightning II developments

[roberto]

F-001 and F-002 are at Edwards and will stay there for testing

[Tomcat84]

After testing is done they’ll go to Luke.

[Alpha Kilo One]

And after Luke directly to the scrap yard?

[Bunzing]

And after Luke directly to the scrap yard?

This ain't 't Praethuys, is it?

[Alpha Kilo One]

No. That's right. But they are test versions. Not totally up to par. Never intended to be for real service.....
So, not praethuis, but actually quite serious!

[tally]

RNLAF F-35 rollout ceremony. Sorry, crappy cellphone footage.

https://youtu.be/UtPnylBJ2JU


And the LMTAS official ceremony.

https://www.facebook.com/thef35/videos/326857177959844/

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExulpIuZH5A

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35A KLU
F-003 delivered Luke 04-02-2019
F-004 delivered Luke 07-02-2019

[tally]

AM-17 5288 (17-5288) first flight Feb 8, 2019.
17-5239/HL (AF-181) 388 FW, 421 FS delivery to Hill AFB Feb 8, 2019.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

so only 49 F-35A for USAF in FY17
17-5237/5285 AF-179/227
17-5286/5287 ITAF
17-5288/5301 RNoAF

[Bjorn]

Now it is getting really nice concerning the FY allocations for the different air forces.
Norwegian #5288 (obviously being 17-5288) has flown yesterday (February 8th).
Even if we would abolish the 3 airframes that were supposedly added to the LRIP X contract and we would skip the Italian airframe norally in between USAF and RNoAF than still with a order of 53 airframes in the LRIP XI contract starting from 17-5237 (with AF-179) we get to 17-5289 for the USAF.

OK, Starfighter_F-104G, you beat me to it . So 50 airframes for USAF in LRIP XI? Time will tell.

Greets,

[Hans van Herk]

Any idea on the block number of LRIP XI?

Regards,
Hans van Herk

[wweasel]

any ideas about US Serialnumbers F-003, F-004 RNethAF?

[Goldenflyer]

Intrestig week for the Turkish F-35 deal, the deal for the S-400 is made according the news.

[tomcat604]

And after Luke directly to the scrap yard?

No - they simply will not leave the USA as they are considered to be "orange wired" test aircraft. As such they will spend their lives as test articles for new software, weapons etc.
I'd say they probably have a long life ahead of them!

[Starfighter_F-104G]

DoD to begin negotiations to buy 485 Lockheed Martin F-35s
15-02-2019
________________________________________
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office intends to solicit and negotiate multiple contracts to buy 485 stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin.
The negotiations are for aircraft to be built as part of production Lots 15, 16 and 17, the Department of Defense office said in a notice posted online 13 February announcing its intent to begin bargaining. The contracts would provide for long lead time materials, parts, components, initial spares, and labour, as well as production and testing equipment.
The anticipated award date is in the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the Pentagon says. The notice did not disclose costs and the Joint Programme Office said it wouldn’t speculate about prices during negotiations, though it expects the price of the F-35A to fall.
“We are committed to having a less than $80 million F-35A by 2020,” says the office.
Lot 15 would include 116 F-35As, 29 F-35Bs, and 24 F-35Cs; a total of 169 aircraft.
Lot 16 would include 101 F-35As, 32 F-35Bs, 24 F-35Cs; a total of 157 aircraft.
Lot 17 would include 98 F-35As, 37 F-35Bs, and 24 F-35Cs ; a total of 159 aircraft.