F-35 Lightning II developments

[sdamico]

The 26th and final F-35A for the 33FW, 11-5034/EG (AF-45, f/f 21.2.14), was delivered on 28 May. I think originally Eglin had a PAA of 24 'A's, so correct me if I'm wrong about 26.

SD

[Piet Luijken]

these 2 are maybe attrition reserves?

[sdamico]

This past Wednesday (20 August) another F-35A (serial u/k) departed to Luke as 'Strike 11'.

Additionally, an F-35 (serial u/k) departed to Eglin as 'Strike 41' on Thursday 21st.

SD

[Starfighter_F-104G]

delivery
11-5039 LF 18.08.2014 nr 6 for 61FS not 100% confirmed
11-5040 LF 22.08.2014 nr 7 for 61FS

[raameagle]

11-5039 has been ferried to Luke.

Regards

[Piet Luijken]

F-35 FLIGHT TEST PROGRAM MILESTONES MATURING COMBAT CAPABILITIES

FORT WORTH, Texas, August 25, 2014 –The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program continued a steady path of flight test milestones in August, including weapons separation, software compatibility and flight hours, all demonstrating program maturity.

“The test milestones are a direct result of the detailed planning, coordination and execution between various government teams and the integrated test force,” said J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin's Vice President for F-35 Test & Verification. “Every testing milestone demonstrates the development of the F-35 in successive steps toward enabling the U.S. Marine Corps to attain its F-35B Initial Operational Capacity (IOC) next year.”

F-35A aircraft AF-1 accomplished its 400th flight during a successful GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) aircraft separation test on Aug. 13 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. This was the first GBU-31 Mark-84 (2,000-pound guided munition) separation demonstration from the F-35. Previous GBU-31 separations were with the BLU-109 (Bomb Live Unit) bomb body.

F-35B aircraft BF-1 and BF-4 completed “Mode 4” formation testing on Aug 9th, as required for Block 2B software capability. “In Mode 4 operations, the STOVL Propulsion System is engaged, the lift fan, roll post nozzle, and three-bearing-swivel nozzle are operating, and all propulsion system doors and inlets are open. Flight testing validated the F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant’s ability to operate well in this configuration during formation flight which supports operations around the ship; a key milestone for the F-35B path to IOC,” McFarlan said.

F-35B aircraft BF-3 completed the 2B software fleet release weapon separation requirements for the F-35B with two successful AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Air Vehicle Instrumented (AAVI) separation flights on consecutive days, Aug. 14 and 15. The AIM-120 radar-guided missiles were launched over the Atlantic Test Range. “2B software fleet release is critical to the warfighter because it delivers the first combat capability to our most dominant 5th generation platform. Weapons employment is one the most critical combat capabilities. This culminates years of dedicated work that proves safe separation in 2B configurations and provides this capability and confidence to our customers,” McFarlan said.

Along with the testing milestones, to date, the overall System Development and Demonstration (SDD) F-35A test fleet surpassed its 4,000th flight hour on Aug. 14 and in total, the F-35 Fleet has surpassed 19,500 flight hours, with more than 8,000 hours in SDD aircraft. F-35A aircraft AF-1 achieved its 400th flight milestone on Aug. 13; F-35A aircraft AF-4 surpassed 500 flight hours, Aug. 11 and F-35C aircraft CF-2 achieved 300 flights on Aug. 14.

[wamovements]

Does anyone know if the 11-5037 or the 11-5038 is already delivered to the 61st FS?
At least the following six have been delivered:
11-5030,
11-5031,
11-5035,
11-5036,
11-5039,
11-5040.

[raameagle]

AFAIK 11-5037 is at LF yes.

Regards

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35A nr 9 for 61FS arrived at Luke 04.09.2014

[Stratofreighter]

South Korea to sign deal this month to buy 40 F-35 jets for $7 billion

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/ ... P620140924

South Korea will sign a deal this month to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-35 fighter jets for about 7.34 trillion won ($7.06 billion) for delivery in 2018-2021,
two people with knowledge of the transaction told Reuters on Wednesday.

[Piet Luijken]

REPUBLIC OF KOREA APPROVES PROCUREMENT OF
LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35A LIGHTNING II

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 24, 2014 – The Republic of Korea finalized its formal selection of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35A Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program, announcing its intent to sign the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) between the U.S. and Korean governments for 40 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant jets with initial deliveries beginning in 2018.

“We are honored by and appreciate the trust and confidence the Republic of Korea has placed in the 5th Generation F-35 to meet its demanding security requirements on the Korean Peninsula. We look forward to producing and delivering, on time and within budget, Korea’s F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing variant aircraft,” said Orlando Carvalho, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president. “This decision strengthens and extends our long-standing security partnership and truly enhances the regional stability among our greater Asia Pacific allies.”

Following a comprehensive evaluation process for its F-X program, the Republic of Korea, which first announced its competitive selection of the F-35 over the 4th Generation Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle and the EADS Eurofighter Typhoon in March this year, now becomes the third Foreign Military Sales country to procure the F-35, joining Israel and Japan who selected the F-35A in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

[Coati]

F-35 jet combat ready next year, new Israeli order close

(Reuters) - The first version of the F-35 fighter jet will be combat ready by mid-2015, despite an engine failure which still needs a fix, and Israel could sign a deal within months to buy more of the aircraft, program officials said on Thursday.

The cost of the jet, which has struggled with delays and budget overruns, could be reduced to the target level by 2019. South Korea's decision on Wednesday to buy 40 F-35s for about $7 billion was a step in lowering the per unit cost, officials said in Oslo after a two-day meeting between F-35 partner countries.

"We are in discussion with another one of our partners, Israel, to increase their buy and those discussions are going very very well," U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, the Pentagon's F-35 program manager said.

"We are very very close, (we'll sign) probably within the next few months," Bogdan said.

Israel has so far ordered 19 jets but Bogdan declined to predict the size of its future order.


More at the link

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/ ... BN20140925

[Piet Luijken]

The Air Force says a squadron of its new combat jet, the F-35, will arrive in Hill AFB in September 2015.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

F-35A AU-01 A35-001 first flight 29-09-2014

[Krazy]

F-35A AU-01 A35-001 first flight 29-09-2014

Video on: http://www.businessinsider.com.au/video ... ht-2014-10