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Lockheed F-35 Program Plagued with Problems, Remains Grounded
Daily Tech ^ | 12/6/2007 | Brandon Hill

Posted on 12/06/2007 5:57:28 PM PST by rmlew

Lockheed's F-35 program isn't exactly proceeding as planned

Earlier this week, DailyTech

reported that the Pentagon is trying to sweep some money under the rug to pay for additional Lockheed F-22 fighter planes. Increased concerns over the reliability and structural soundness of the 30-year-old F-15 have lead to the calls for more of the $132 million USD F-22s.

It appears that the old F-15 isn't the only aircraft in the U.S. arsenal that is having problems. The F-35 program is facing setbacks of its own. The F-35 program suffered a serious setback on May 3 when a critical electrical system failure occurred while the jet was traveling 500 MPH at 38,000 feet -- the prototype plane, which was on its 19th test flight, had to be brought down for an emergency landing by the pilot and subsequent test flights were cancelled. The plane hasn't flown since and a scheduled flight for December 4 was scrubbed at the last minute.

Defense Industry Daily reports that the electrical system failure was attributed to a problem with the new 270 volt power supply that is used to control the aircraft's electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs).

"This is the first real electric jet. The flight control actuators, while they have internal closed-loop hydraulic systems, are controlled and driven by electricity -- not hydraulics," said F-35 chief test pilot Jon Beesley. Unfortunately for Lockheed, the EHA system now has to be redesigned to prevent further incidents.

In addition, the F-35C naval version suffers a design flaw in its power generator which in turn means that the gearbox for the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine has to be redesigned -- the redesign won't be complete until the close of 2009. The Pratt & Whitney F135 faced another setback in October when the engine overheated and blew up during bench testing.

But these are the least of the F-35's problems. The F-35 is being built and will be flown in conjunction with the help of a number of allies. European countries, which are eager to get their hands on the F-35, may not have fully functional, multi-role aircraft until 2016. The problem is due to the fact that software modules required to make the plane a competent air-superiority fighter are not yet complete and won't be until 2016 at the earliest.

As a result, the F-35 will be restricted to mainly ground-attack bombing runs.

There is the issue that the number of F-35s to be produced has been reduced from 3,500 to as little as 2,300 -- effectively raising the cost per plane -- and Australia's decision to go with the F/A-18 F Block II Super Hornet as a stopgate measure until the F-35 is ready.

The rising costs for the F-35 are looming over the entire program. "Nobody is interested in getting their airplanes earlier unless we can help them mitigate the fact the earlier airplanes cost more," remarked Lockheed executive vice president and F-35 program general manager Tom Burbage to the Star-Telegram.

Costs for the program have ballooned from $30 billion USD in 2002 to $40 billion USD today. And according to the Air Force, a single F-35 will cost $100 million USD when production is comfortably underway in 2013 -- this compares to $50 million USD for a single F-16 or $132 million USD for a single F-22 Raptor.

The F-35 program mechanical/electrical/avionics problems, delays and cost overruns are becoming burdensome to all nations involved. Many countries are looking to the F-35 to replace their aging fleets because the United States wants to keep its premier F-22 fighter to itself.

"If they're barred from buying the F-22, the question is, where do they go?" said Forecast International aerospace analyst Ray Jaworoski.

The F-35 will be produced in three variants: F-35A, F-35B and F-35C. The F-35A will be used by the United States Air Force to replace the F-16 and A-10, while the F-35B will take the place of the Marine Corps' AV-8 Harrier. The F-35C will be used by the Navy to replace the F-18A/B/C/D.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: airforce; dod; f35; fighters; jsf; military; oldnews
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So most of our F-15's grounded and now this. Happy 60th USAF
1 posted on 12/06/2007 5:57:30 PM PST by rmlew
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To: rmlew
"If they're barred from buying the F-22, the question is, where do they go?" said Forecast International aerospace analyst Ray Jaworoski.

The goal appears to be to get the F-22 technology into foreign hands.

2 posted on 12/06/2007 6:00:16 PM PST by PAR35
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To: PAR35
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a good fighter-bomber. It is just expensive.
Purchasing Block 60 F-16s or new F-15s are options. Russia sells SU-30 airframes and allows end-users and third parties to build the avionics.
3 posted on 12/06/2007 6:05:45 PM PST by rmlew (Build a wall, attrit the illegals, end the anchor babies, Americanize Immigrants)
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To: rmlew
"As a result, the F-35 will be restricted to mainly ground-attack bombing runs.

Nice. Bombing mud huts with a 150 million dollar sled.

4 posted on 12/06/2007 6:36:58 PM PST by Leisler (RNC, RINO National Committee. Always was, always will be.)
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To: rmlew
Image hosted by Photobucket.com PD might of been right after all..
5 posted on 12/06/2007 6:46:21 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: rmlew
Actually, most of our F-15's are not grounded.

Fox News had a ticker that a considerable number of the 700+ had been inspected and were cleared for flying again.

The number that Fox News gave was about 400+.

However, there may still be serious problems with the F-15.

6 posted on 12/06/2007 7:22:24 PM PST by topher (Let us return to old-fashioned morality - morality that has stood the test of time...)
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To: magslinger

ping


7 posted on 12/06/2007 7:27:47 PM PST by Vroomfondel
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To: topher
This was the article:

F-15s flying again (Fox News Ticker)

It was something I saw just as a news ticker. Maybe it was not accurate...

8 posted on 12/06/2007 7:28:14 PM PST by topher (Let us return to old-fashioned morality - morality that has stood the test of time...)
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To: rmlew

all the real numerical code and other engineers are retired that made lockheed fly have retired. My step father and his best friend we just two of many given incentives to get out early.

what quality employees do they have there these days?


9 posted on 12/06/2007 7:29:46 PM PST by television is just wrong (deport all illegal aliens NOW. Put all AMERICANS TO WORK FIRST. END Welfare)
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To: rmlew

Yep. Plagued with problems. They always are. They NEVER work right, on day one.

And that’s a good thing. Because the F-35 is the most complicated jet fighter ever.

STOL, VTOL, then speed past the sound barrier.
It’s not like the Harrier.

You lift straight up to say 50’, and if you don’t touch the controls, that baby sits there and hovers.

The pilot visual’s are the newest technology on the market.

There are always bugs. Just ask any programmer. The more complex the system, the more potential problems.

But they are finding them, and fixing them.

And, above it all, the F-35 is a beautiful plane.


10 posted on 12/06/2007 7:48:11 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (-Not Afraid of the truth, and the whole truth - Are you?)
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To: Chode

I was thinking the same thing as I read the article.


11 posted on 12/06/2007 7:54:09 PM PST by Atchafalaya
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To: UCANSEE2

To be this late in the design/build process and to have to:

1. Completely redesign the power supply,
2. Completely redesign the engine gearbox, and
3. be NINE - Count em - NINE years from from having the software for the air to air role,

makes this program a disaster.

It will cost MORE than the F-22 by the time they get all this fixed.


12 posted on 12/06/2007 7:54:57 PM PST by Buckhead
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To: topher
Your link is outdated. You're out of the loop and missed the two additional groundings:

F-15 A-D models ordered to stand down for additional inspections

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=F-15&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&scoring=n

13 posted on 12/06/2007 7:55:43 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: UCANSEE2
STOL, VTOL, then speed past the sound barrier. It’s not like the Harrier.

Only the B variant is STOVL.

14 posted on 12/06/2007 7:57:18 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: Buckhead

Agreed. But the V-22 Osprey behind, overbudget, beset by problems.

Did ya know the design for the Osprey was done in the 1930’s?


15 posted on 12/06/2007 8:01:41 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (-Not Afraid of the truth, and the whole truth - Are you?)
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To: Buckhead

At the very least, there are a lot of people at the Pentagon and the contractor who need to lose their jobs, if not go to jail.

This is our security.

There is nothing that the government does that is more important than this. It’s unforgivable.


16 posted on 12/06/2007 8:14:03 PM PST by denydenydeny (Expel the priest and you don't inaugurate the age of reason, you get the witch doctor--Paul Johnson)
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To: Buckhead
Image hosted by Photobucket.com they certainly won't be accused of over engineering...
17 posted on 12/06/2007 8:18:35 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: rmlew
"If they're barred from buying the F-22, the question is, where do they go?" said Forecast International aerospace analyst Ray Jaworoski

Simple...1-800-BUY-BOEING

Seriously, the JSF is an extremely complicated aircraft and there will be many bugs to work out, like any other advanced integration effort on this scale. L-M's choices are to simplify and get them out the door or press on and lose some key partners and a fair amount of market share.

18 posted on 12/06/2007 8:40:28 PM PST by liberty_lvr
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To: UCANSEE2
I still think the YF-23, Black Widow, should have been the winner. Twin engine with stealth and the nose is reminiscent of the SR-71. Oh Well what do I know beyond looks.
19 posted on 12/07/2007 3:35:16 AM PST by mcshot (Missing my grade school desk which protected from nuclear blasts.)
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To: UCANSEE2
Did ya know the design for the Osprey was done in the 1930’s?

BS. You probably are under the impression that Wilbur and Orville designed the 747 in 1903.

20 posted on 12/07/2007 5:24:52 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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