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The USAF’s F-35A Just Saw Combat for the First Time
Popular Mechanics ^ | 05/01/2019 | Kyle Mizokami

Posted on 05/04/2019 6:44:38 AM PDT by BenLurkin

According to U.S. Central Command, the target was an “entrenched tunnel network and a weapons cache” in Iraq’s Hamrin mountain range. Two F-35As dropped a Joint Directed Attack Munition on the target, described as a “location able to threaten friendly forces.” JDAMs are regular unguided “dumb” bombs fitted with a GPS-based guidance system and steerable tail fin kit. The pilot enters the GPS coordinates of the target into the JDAM and the guided munition will steer itself to the target. Military GPS is typically accurate to within 3 meters, making JDAMs extremely accurate.

The Air Force is considering purchasing the OA-X light attack aircraft, a cheaper to buy and cheaper to fly plane better suited for such low-threat missions, but the program has dragged on for years with no decision in sight.

(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: f35; f35a; usaf
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To: schurmann
How do you know all this?
61 posted on 05/04/2019 12:11:53 PM PDT by Vision (Obama corrupted, sought to weaken and fundamentally change America; he didn't plan on being stopped.)
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To: NorthMountain
SAC was using air refueling in the 50’s using the KC-97 prop driven aircraft as the refuel-er (Boeing A/C).
62 posted on 05/04/2019 12:48:00 PM PDT by Don_Ret_USAF ("No Government can survive Without The Trust Of The People.")
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To: thoughtomator

“We dropped $100k bombs on a $1 tent again didn’t we.”

They hate us because we’re free.


63 posted on 05/04/2019 12:52:56 PM PDT by dljordan
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To: Vision

“How do you know all this?” [Vision, post 61]

Spent years as B-52 aircrew, then B-1B initial cadre when that hit the inventory.

Also spent a decade performing operational tests for various aircraft defense systems: B-52, FB-111, U-2, SR-71, and later B-1B. Additionally, we worked closely with other major commands, the other US service depts, and allied personnel.

By default, our branch did a lot of work in on-airframe electromagnetic compatibility: preventing one system from interfering with another, or fixing things when interference did occur. Necessarily involved broad reaches of systems knowledge outside immediate concerns for our particular systems.

Air refueling systems have enjoyed technical treatises published about them. Boeing likes to brag about the flying boom. They’ve earned the right.


64 posted on 05/04/2019 3:03:30 PM PDT by schurmann
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To: Don_Ret_USAF

KC-97 refueling A-10s. I had forgotten about that aircraft.

65 posted on 05/04/2019 3:09:00 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Don_Ret_USAF; Vision

“SAC was using air refueling in the 50’s using the KC-97 prop driven aircraft...” [Don_Ret_USAF, post 62]

Boeing developed the KC-97 from the C-97, which was a development of the B-29 and later the B-50 bombers. It was the mainstay of the Air Force aerial refueling fleet for years.

The Air Force also acquired KB-29 and KB-50 tankers.

The performance mismatch between the basic KC-97 and jet bombers like the B-47 and B-52 induced USAF to install jet pods on their KC-97s, helping the tanker fly fast enough to keep the jet bombers from going outside their safe performance limits.


66 posted on 05/04/2019 3:37:40 PM PDT by schurmann
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To: NorthMountain

World’s ugliest aircraft!

KC-97, that is!

Love the A-10 Warthog!


67 posted on 05/04/2019 3:52:04 PM PDT by Taxman (We will never be a truly free people so long as we have the income tax and the IRS.)
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To: thoughtomator

A crafted non-answer answers a lot....


68 posted on 05/05/2019 2:09:29 AM PDT by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: trebb

Seriously, I have zero interest in whatever disturbed thought process you got going on. Go away.


69 posted on 05/05/2019 6:11:50 AM PDT by thoughtomator (The Clinton Coup attempt was a worse attack on the USA than was 9/11)
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To: ByteMercenary

Exactly...the Taliban posses no serious AS threat so why use a billion dollar stealth plane to drop a couple of bombs. Certainly we have less costly aircraft that could do this job.


70 posted on 05/07/2019 8:04:47 AM PDT by The Great RJ ("Socialists are happy until they run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher)
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To: schurmann
The KC-97’s I worked on(late 50’s and early 60’s) when assigned to the 509th Ground Maintenance Squadron. All assigned a/c were radial engine and prop driven without jet assist. When refueling the jet would slow to almost stall speed and the KC-97 would fly at max speed. So every now and then the jet would bump up the speed and cut back. It reminded me of a calf sucking on the mother and bumping to get the milk if it was being withheld. Never show a KC-97 with jet pods but did hear of them.Thanks you for the flash back forgot about the B-29’s and B-50’s Air Re-fueler’s. Did See a unicorn B-47 land. Had a broken boom stuck in the fueling receptacle.
71 posted on 05/10/2019 5:02:04 PM PDT by Don_Ret_USAF ("No Government can survive Without The Trust Of The People."er)
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To: Don_Ret_USAF

“...Did See a unicorn B-47 land. Had a broken boom stuck in the fueling receptacle.” [Don-Ret_USAF, post 71]

Any close formation entails elevated risk, no matter the conditions, the crew training level, and the capabilities of the aircraft involved.

While assigned to Bldg 500, I made the acquaintance of numerous retired personnel living in the Bellevue area. Some had crewed KC-97s while on active duty; a couple told us about refueling B-47s from the KC-97. Tanker and receiver would enter the A/R track at the top of the altitude block. In contact, the two birds would enter a dive, thus upping the airspeed beyond what the KC-97 could attain in level flight at max power settings. Helped keep the B-47 above min controllable airspeed - a figure that increased as the receiver took on fuel and became heavier.

The B-47 had a reputation: hotter, trickier, less forgiving than the B-52. A number of fighters of its day could not keep up.


72 posted on 05/10/2019 8:21:49 PM PDT by schurmann
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To: The Great RJ

“...the Taliban posses no serious AS threat...Certainly we have less costly aircraft that could do this job.” [The Great RJ, post 70]

One assumes you mean surface-to-air threat. Can one also assume you are equally well-informed about the current order of battle?

An intel estimate is just that - an estimate. And there are probably details the military isn’t disclosing to us average citizens. Given the mobility and engagement capabilities of modern air defense systems, surprises are always a possibility - which can be lethal for the aircrews.

The fact that you are so breezy about trading the lives of flight crews for the odd billion in savings is curious.


73 posted on 05/10/2019 8:52:56 PM PDT by schurmann
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