F-35 makes first test flights with external weapons

Los Angeles Times ^ | February 20, 2012 | W.J. Hennigan

[sukhoi-30mki]

F-35 makes first test flights with external weapons

By W.J. Hennigan, Los Angeles Times

February 20, 2012, 3:36 p.m. The F-35, the military's next-generation fighter jet, has begun its first flight tests carrying external missiles at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.

The stealthy, supersonic fighter, built byLockheed Martin Corp., has been undergoing tests since its first flight in late 2006.

The F-35, known as the Joint Strike Fighter, will be used by the Navy, Marines and Air Force. Three versions of the F-35 are being built — one that can operate off aircraft carriers, one capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, and a conventional fighter jet.

All three F-35 variants will be built on the same production line at Lockheed's plant in Fort Worth. The center fuselage sections will be made byNorthrop Grumman Corp.in Palmdale.

The F-35 is the Pentagon's costliest program going; the Defense Department has plans to buy 2,443 of the aircraft at a cost of $382 billion.

On Thursday, an F-35 took off carrying two air-to-air missiles under its wing, Lockheed said. In addition, the F-35 carried two 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs and two advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles in its two internal weapon bays.

[USNBandit]

This goes back to the original spec, and why all the people that want to replace the F-35 with more F-22s just don't get it.

The original spec was for a stealthy aircraft capable of internally carrying 2x2000 lb. J-weapons. You can't fit those in an F-22.

That spec was for a "first couple days of the war" scenario, before air superiority has been achieved. After air superiority has been achieved then you slap on the LAUs and turn the thing into a bomb truck.

[Doe Eyes]

Finally, someone who has a clue.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Super Bug can't operate from the deck of an LHA/LHD.

Now what's your "solution"?

[U-238]

Bomb them

[A.A. Cunningham]

Spoken like a clueless pogue.

[U-238]

What is your solution then?

[U-238]

I am extremely curious to read your solution.

[A.A. Cunningham]

[U-238]

I mentioned the F-22 on the top of the thread

[GeronL]

I wasn’t trying to put down the F-35

[A.A. Cunningham]

My solution is to continue with the program and to ignore clueless emoters like yourself.

[U-238]

I knew you did not have a solution.

[USNBandit]

Yeah, let's rock it downtown with a total of four 100 lb. JDAM! That will really scare the enemy.

Mr. Cunningham was nice enough to show you the F-22 load plan. You can see that the F-22 carries about as much air to ground ordnance as a Sopwith Camel. It has one air to ground mission, and that is high threat SEAD (suppression of enemy air defenses). That mean throwing that 100 lb. JDAM at a control van or radar of a SAM sight.

Now we have to go all the way back to the beginning. The JSF spec is for 2x2000 lb. J-weps, internal, with stealth. The F-22 can't do it.

[U-238]

I agree with you and the F-22. I have always wanted the F-22 to be used.

[U-238]

The Advanced Unitary Penetrator (AUP), a candidate to be integrated with a GBU-31 guidance kit, is a 2000 lb. class penetrator warhead intended as an upgrade/replacement for the BLU-109 warhead in applications requiring increased penetration.

[rlmorel]

The point is the F-22 can’t do what the F-35 can. The F-35 can carry out a legitimate air-to-ground mission in stealth mode with heavy ordinance and once stealth mode is not as critical, has the capability to be used more conventionally.

This is not to say the program is without flaws, it is just to point out the capabilities are not interchangeable.

[magslinger]

SONOBUOY PING!

Click on pic for past Navair pings. Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist. The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation. This is a medium to low volume pinglist.

[pfflier]

They value the Harrier and it's unique capabilities. The super hornet is restricted to carrier and finished runway operations.

It may be a go fast airplane but it doesn't meet the needs of the USMC when it comes to organic close air support.

[USNBandit]

Unfortunately the Super Hornet, and Hornets in general, are some of the slowest fighters around. I do think the USMC should have some of their legacy Hornets replaced with Super Hornets. They have some of the oldest Hornets and procurement rates of the JSF are going too low to give them what they need. Even a few squadrons that would be eventually transferred to the Navy would be a good idea to keep up their combat readiness.

The obvious priority will be to get rid of the Harrier. It has been a disaster of a program.

[A.A. Cunningham]

111118-N-GR159-003 LAKEHURST, N.J. (Nov. 18, 2011) An F-35C Lightning II test aircraft piloted by Lt. Christopher Tabert launches for the first time from the new electromagnetic aircraft launch system. The new launch system will be installed on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by David Sckrabulis/Released)