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Post by Gene on Mar 2, 2010 4:35:36 GMT 9
The F-35 Numbers: Maj. Gen. David Scott told the House Appropriations defense panel Feb. 24 that the Air Force still plans to purchase 1,763 F-35 strike fighters despite the planned program restructure because it is "the critical to the backbone of our Air Force." Testifying at the same hearing, Rear Adm. David Philman said the Navy's total buy—Navy and Marine Corps—would be 680. Asked by one lawmaker when the program would now reach a steady-state annual production rate, Scott replied that USAF had expected to see 80 aircraft annually beginning in 2015, but that now would be 2016. The Navy's steady state, said Philman, would be 50 aircraft annually "but when that will occur we'll have to see." from the Airforce-online mag.  |
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Post by dude on Mar 2, 2010 15:24:24 GMT 9
 Sooner or later they'll get to that number. Way things have been going, it will be later. In the mean time, they throw money at the legacy systems to try and keep them in the air or plus them up a little in capability. They've also said that 2010 is the year they're suppose to start planning for the next fighter generation replacement for the F-22 circa 2025. Yes only 15 years on the 22 before it's retired. I'm holding my breath on that one too. 
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Post by Gene on Mar 4, 2010 8:35:04 GMT 9
from airforcre magazineonline: Expect a Slip: The Air Force likely will not have its first unit of combat-ready F-35 strike fighters available until late in calendar year 2015, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley confirmed Tuesday. "We have been taking a closer look in the past month at the [initial operational capability date]," he told reporters during a breakfast meeting in Washington, D.C. He added, "I do think we are going to have a slip." Prior to the F-35 program restructure announced in February, the Air Force was targeting Fiscal 2013 for having its first operational F-35 unit in place. But now, after beginning to delve into the details of the restructure, and when there will be enough F-35A airframes available, the aircraft's Block 3 software is ready, and initial operational testing is completed, the two-year-plus delay is the "latest and best estimate" that the Air Force now has, he said. Continue well, guess what??  |
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Post by dude on Mar 4, 2010 14:01:51 GMT 9
I sure wish calling horses, dogs, numbers or anything else with a big payoff was as easy as calling these guys. Read where one of the problems delaying IOC was they didn't do enough actual flight testing early on choosing instead to rely on modeling and simulation. Now their finding the actuals aren't living up to theory. Isn't this the plane Gates said he would take an 80% solution? Also saw where Japan has backed out of buying the export version of the F-22 in favor of getting in the queue for the F-35.
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Post by Gene on Mar 4, 2010 14:40:25 GMT 9
Sayonara F-22: Japan has apparently officially abandoned its pursuit of the F-22 in favor of the F-35 as it considers a platform to recapitalize it aging fighter fleet. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said the Asian ally is now "focused on F-35," based on his interactions over the past half year or so with the Japanese air chief. Japanese officials last year expressed interest in acquiring an export version of the F-22, but met Pentagon resistance and faced the standing US law banning F-22 overseas sales. Donley said the Pentagon has not softened its opposition, explaining that the F-22 has characteristics "worth protecting" and "proprietary to the United States." Plus, the F-22, unlike the F-35, was not designed with export in mind. "Just the concept of an exportable F-22 involves a substantial redesign of the airplane," imposing substantial costs, he said
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Post by dude on Mar 5, 2010 1:38:47 GMT 9
I'm actually glad to see that. Would hope that we keep at least one platform close to our vest.
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Post by Gene on Mar 5, 2010 4:07:35 GMT 9
so am i |
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Sooner or later they'll get to that number. Way things have been going, it will be later. In the mean time, they throw money at the legacy systems to try and keep them in the air or plus them up a little in capability.
