ya never know 8^) i still miss ol'PD...
Posted on 03/15/2015 9:49:25 AM PDT by rktman
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will not receive the software package required to operate the Pentagon’s top close-air support bomb until 2022, according to military.com.
The article also stated that the JSF office already had discovered earlier that the precision-guided air-dropped Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) does not fit onto Joint Strike Fighter Marine Corps variant without modifications to the aircraft’s weapons bay.
Yet the Department of Defense will wait until the F-35 B (the Marine Corps variant of the F-35) reaches initial operability before modifying the F-35’s armament bay, since the weapon will be useless without the right software package.
(Excerpt) Read more at thediplomat.com ...
Later
Cuffed pantlegs are typically not permitted when welding and torching as they catch hot slag and metal.
Just how is it the aircraft’s fault for a Raytheon designed bomb?
The F-35 is a national embarrassment. Nobody will look at it and think its basically unbeatable like an F-14 or F-15.
And 7 years to make a software for that bomb?
It took us 3 and a half years to build the atomic bomb and delivery systems from scratch.
And for extra fun, go back to 2007 or 2008, tell them to build a software we will use in 2015. Does anyone have the slightest clue what computers will be in 2022? No, and that means the F-35 moonpig will be forced to operate with old computers like it does with its targeting module. It uses the east modern one in he fleet because technology has left it behind from all that was available when it was chosen. It doesn’t carry a laser like all new planes have.
“Can the A-10 carry the SDB II internally? Does the F-35 need to carry that bomb internally? “
If it doesn’t, then it has no stealth. So it magically becomes a slow, shortlegged, undergunned F-18 variant.
“Just how is it the aircraft’s fault for a Raytheon designed bomb?”
That is a very good and reasonable excuse! And as my old physics teacher used to say, and excuse is a reason that you are not reliable. Maybe if you are developing a plane designed to be our only attack plane, and you work on it for over 20 years, you should speak to Raytheon and other weapons builders,,,,often.
But yes, that’s a VERY good excuse!
ya never know 8^) i still miss ol'PD...
How much stealth is needed for CAS missions? The biggest threat will be IR-guided MANPADS. Anything radar-guided will be managed by SEAD platforms.
The F-35 needs stealth for deep strike and interdiction missions, plus popping off first-see/first shoot shots against enemy aircraft. But loitering over a battlefield? C’mon ... In those cases the F-35 will be toting the centerline gunpod and weapons on external pylons.
So, the arguments for retaining the A-10 are sound and overwhelming. But this is a pretty cheap, pile on hit piece against the F-35z
100%
LOL! Yup. Had raggedy pants leg on fire before doing some torching. Good thing my fire watch was paying attention. That time.
*
http://insidedefense.com/share/167668
Note that it is one bracket redesign and a hydraulic line re-route...oh boy.
And to wait until Raytheon even gets the damned thing fielded to complete the mods to the aircraft so it can be integrated in 2022 for crying out loud. Again, timeline played a significant role in this...
Sorry, I don’t do “excuses”...like many around here who can’t or won’t take the time to not only research that which they’re commenting on, but to even educate themselves or to admit that they’re own ignorance is on display.
These minor or remaining changes were put on hold until the aircraft reached a sufficient level of maturity to ensure that the needed changes would not adversely impact any ongoing SDB [II] developments."
Single engine Ground Support with no real Armor to prevent a one lucky Bullet scenario?
Might as well bring back the P-47 if they mothball the A-10.
So who is running CAS in an environment where you need stealth? The F-35 is supposed to be a first week of the war, stealth deliverer of J Weps. When the ground phase starts it is supposed to be a bomb truck.
I’ve said it many times before, I hate the airplane because it is a product of the greed of Lockheed at the expense of a good airplane... the F-22. They lobbied against their own airplane to promote and save the money for this POS. The F-15SE with upgrades could easily and well fill the role of the F-35 for the USAF. Navy and Marines? The VSTOL F-35 is a payload and range joke.
People on this project have made whole careers out of it and it still is not finished.
Spec sheet?
Who needs them!
*draws mark on plans*
That would be a nice CAS load out with a triple guidance weapon. If life was bad enough you could even drop through weather with a ground FAC.
The two platforms are not interchangeble. Not even close. The F-22 can’t do the F-35 mission and the F-35 can’t do the F-22 mission.
Yes, it is supposed to be a bomb truck, and that is where it’s a spectacular fail. We are basically buying a stealth bomber, with networked fighter thinking, to do the job of a mudfighter.
It will never equal even the original F-18 or 16. Its a dog as a fighter, a second rate stealth plane, and the CAS capability is an afterthought. And we are buying a fleet of them.
It is worse that every plane it replaces, and in every role is takes over. Im waiting for the tanker and COD version.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.