Revisione del programma di acquisizione degli F-35 da parte del Canada...
A company should be contracted in December 2012 to review factors under a seven-point action plan, the announcement says. These include to "determine whether the shortcomings the Auditor General identified in the acquisition process have been addressed; confirm whether the steps taken in the acquisition process for the period up to June 2012 were in accordance with government policies, procedures and regulations; and provide lessons learned and propose recommendations for changes, if any, to current practices and policies for acquisitions of a similar nature".
UK defence secretary Philip Hammond has underscored the importance of the nation's future Lockheed Martin F-35 combat aircraft as a joint asset between the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and revealed the expected extra cost of bringing the latter's second new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier into operational use.
"The RAF and the Royal Navy are working together to deliver a joint force that can operate from land bases in the UK, from the carriers when they are at sea, and from forward operating bases when deployed abroad," Hammond told RUSI's Air Power conference in London on 1 November. Use of the type will commence in 2018, and concepts of operation are now being drawn up covering the use of the combination in the carrier strike and littoral manoeuvre roles, he added.
A typical deployment of one 65,000t vessel outside UK territorial waters would include an embarked air wing of 12 short take-off and vertical landing F-35Bs, Hammond says, although this number could be increased for a high-intensity operation.
While a formal decision on whether to prepare the navy's second new aircraft carrier for operational use will not be taken until the UK's next Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in 2015, Hammond revealed the cost of maintaining the vessel would be £70 million ($113 million) per year. Its availability would provide the UK with a continuous carrier strike capability.
Hammond was responding to recent suggestions that the RAF instead favours the acquisition of the longer-range, conventional take-off and landing F-35A. The Ministry of Defence will also decide on the size of its production order for the Joint Strike Fighter as part of its next SDSR. The UK has so far taken deliver of an initial two F-35Bs acquired to participate in US-led initial operational test and evaluation of the fifth-generation type, with a third to follow suit next year.
Scuola interforze di Eglin AFB ..... raggiunto il traguardo dei 500 voli .....
..... dal "Daily Report" dell' AFA di questa mattina .....
F-35 Schoolhouse Marks 500th Flight .....
Air Force and Marine Corps F-35s at the joint-service schoolhouse at Eglin AFB, Fla., reached their 500th combined sortie since flight operations began there earlier this year, announced aircraft prime contractor Lockheed Martin.
A 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 hit the half-thousand sortie mark on Nov. 2—238 days after flying operations commenced on March 6, states the company's release.
US Air Force praises early performance of Lockheed Martin F-35 .....
Initial feedback from US Air Force pilots and maintainers operating the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Eglin AFB, Florida, suggests the aircraft is performing better than its predecessors did at a similar stage of development.
..... una delegazione della Heyl Ha'Avir visita gli impianti di produzione di Fort Worth .....
Israeli team visits F-35 production facility .....
A team of Israeli air force personnel has visited Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility in Texas, as part of the service's preparations for an initial batch of 20 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters that are due to receive some Israeli-made systems.
E' come il vino ..... più invecchia ... più diventa buono .....
Lockheed’s Dubious Claim: Stealth Fighter Will Get Stealthier With Age .....
There have been a lot of sketchy claims made about the long-delayed, over-budget F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, history’s most expensive weapon program.
But this one takes the cake.
According to Stephen O’Bryan, a vice president at F-35-maker Lockheed Martin, the radar-evading jet fighter will actually get stealthier over time — without any upgrades.
Japan is poised to allow domestic industry to participate in international F-35 production, breaking the Asian nation's long-time ban on weapons export .....
Hewson Named To Replace Ousted Lockheed CEO-elect Kubasik .....
Lockheed Martin has fired CEO-elect Christopher E. Kubasik for having “a close personal relationship with a subordinate employee.”
Marillyn A. Hewson, who was to succeed Kubasik as president and COO on Jan. 1, 2013, has been named to be the new CEO.
La qual cosa, se vogliamo, fa coppia con questa .....
CIA Director Petraeus Resigns, Admits Extra-marital Affair .....
CIA Director David Petraeus resigned his post as head of the nation’s leading spy agency on Friday, saying he had engaged in an extramarital affair and acknowledging that he “showed extremely poor judgment.”
Il bello e l'assurdo è che qualche personaggio politico in Italia li potrebbe chiamare dei dilettanti allo sbaraglio...
Ho pianto, ho riso... Ho fatto scelte sbagliate, altre giuste... Sono amico di molti, voglio bene a pochi, non odio nessuno... Parlo poco ma dico sempre quello che penso... Qualcuno mi vuole bene, altri mi detestano... Pazienza è la vita!
Mentre Singapore mostra interesse per l'aereo .....
Lockheed Sees Increased Singapore Interest In F-35 Fighter .....
Singapore is showing increased interest in buying Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a top executive with the company said late on Thursday, a week after China unveiled a second stealth fighter called the J-31.
..... già si sta lavorando a quelli che saranno i suoi futuri miglioramenti .....
"Advent", "Invent" Address F-35 Needs And Look Ahead .....
There is no guarantee that the next generation of U.S. tactical aircraft will be fielded, as hoped for, some time around 2030. Instead, the adaptive engine and system technology now being developed will find its home first in upgrades to the Lockheed Martin F-35, the only U.S. fighter in production through the 2020s.
Il Pentagono a LM ..... Rimanete concentrati sullo F-35 ! .....
Pentagon's Message To Lockheed: Stay Focused On F-35 .....
Lockheed Martin on Monday said Pentagon officials had underscored their support for Marillyn Hewson, named to take over as chief executive in January after an ethics scandal, and urged the company to stay focused on its flagship program the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Lt. Col. Brian O'Neill, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron director of operations and a "student" in the Air Force F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation, salutes his crew chief before his postflight inspection Nov. 14, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
He became qualified to fly the aircraft during the last sortie of the service’s evaluation of the 33rd Fighter Wing's joint strike fighter training program, a necessary review for Air Education and Training Command to decide if the unit is “ready for training” next year.
O’Neill will return to the 31st TES, a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing at Edwards AFB, Calif., where the Air Force will eventually begin operational testing on the new aircraft.
Anche se la "OUE" è testé terminata ..... qualche ulteriore informazione in merito la si può trovare in questo articolo (e nei links in esso contenuti) apparso, giusto una settimana fa, sul blog "The DEW Line" .....
Naval Hackers Broke Into The F-35 Logistics System Exposing More Huge Weaknesses .....
When computer "hackers" working for the U.S. Navy succeeded in breaking into the computer logistics system that controls the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 Joint Strike Fighter earlier this year, they did the company a favor: allowing it to fix a critical vulnerability in the $396 billion program.
..... the first F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, landed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on Friday afternoon.
Marine pilot Maj. Aric Liberman arrived at the air station at approximately 1 p.m., having flown in from Lockheed Martin's production plant in Fort Worth, Texas.
La MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) di Yuma era stata sottoposta nei mesi scorsi ad importanti opere di ristrutturazione in vista dell'arrivo dei nuovi aerei .....
Construction for F-35s on aggressive time frame .....
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is bustling with activity as it prepares for the November or December arrival of the first F-35B Joint Strike Fighter jets that will be based here.
Marines’ First Frontline Stealth Fighter Lacks Vital Gear .....
The U.S. Marine Corps has received its first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that, in theory, is meant for actual combat. But that doesn’t mean the pricey, long-delayed JSF is going to be dropping bombs on enemy targets anytime soon. The Lockheed Martin-built plane’s computerized logistical system, flight software and special helmet still aren’t ready — and it lacks weapons.
No, the Marines have taken possession of the combat-designated, but not combat-ready, F-35 in order to begin building up its stealth-fighter fleet. Not yet, anyway. The advance preparation should ensure that the Corps can send the new JSF squadrons into combat the moment the jet is finally fully equipped … whenever that might be
Ancora a proposito di Yuma ..... era presente anche il potente senatore McCain ..... in passato critico nei confronti del programma .....
The new squadron, which is slated to start initial flights later this year or early next, was formally unveiled at a ceremony at the Arizona air base that included top Pentagon and Lockheed executives, as well as Senator John McCain of Arizona, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
MCCAIN "ENCOURAGED" BY PROGRESS AFTER YEARS OF SETBACKS .....
McCain, who has been critical of the F-35 program after years of cost increases and technical challenges, lauded recent progress on what he called an "enormously challenging program."
"I am -- after many years of frustration and setbacks -- encouraged that the overall program is moving in the right direction," McCain said in a speech at the base, a copy of which was emailed to Reuters.
But he cautioned that much work was still needed before the program could be called a success, including better cooperation among various Pentagon agencies, and between the government and the defense companies that are building the plane.
"Gen. James Amos, left, Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks with Arizona Senator John McCain and Arizona Governor Janice Brewer, at a reception prior to the re-designation ceremony for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Nov. 20.
The squadron accepted the first operational F-35B in the world, ushering in a new era of Marine Aviation.
The F-35B accomplishes the multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of military operations to deter potential adversaries and protect our nation and its interests."
"Arizona Sen. John McCain sits in an F-35B simulator cockpit during a reception prior to the re-designation ceremony for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Nov. 20.
The senator, a former Naval aviator, attended to ceremony along with several other distinguished visitors, marking the commencement of the Marine Corps' first operational F-35B squadron."
"The battle colors of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 fly for the first time during their re-designation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Nov. 20.
Previously based at MCAS Miramar and flying the F-18D, the squadron is the first operational Marine Corps F-35B squadron, ushering in a new era of Marine Aviation.
Standing up VMFA-121 is an important milestone for the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense as the F-35 expands from a testing and training aircraft towards full-scale tactical aviation operations.
The F-35 can operate from amphibious warships, providing close air support to forward-deployed forces during any contingency."
"Third Marine Aircraft wing welcomed its first F-35 squadron during a re-designation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 on Nov. 20.
The ceremony transitioned the squadron from an F/A-18 Hornet squadron to VMFA-121, the Marine Corps first operational F-35 squadron.
As the premiere aviation training facility in the Marine Corps, the basing of the Corps' first operational squadron in Yuma solidifies the future of Marine tactical aviation training in Southern Arizona.
Today's ceremony marks an important milestone for the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense as the F-35 progresses from a testing and training aircraft towards full-scale tactical aviation operations."
(Photo by LCpl. Uriel Avendano)
Fonte immagini ..... pagina facebook di MCAS Yuma ..... .
Simulation plays vital role in building F-35 tactics and aircraft development .....
"The simulation for this aircraft is quite advanced, so even in the early LRIP [Low Rate Initial Production] aircraft that are limited by envelope, we're able to use simulation to help us develop the concept of operations and employment."
Secondo il mensile "RID" (alla pagina 16 dell'ultimo numero) sarebbero in corso negoziati fra italia e Lockhhed Martin allo scopo di ottenere che parte degli F-35 destinati agli USA, o ad altre forze aeree, venga prodotta nello stabilimento in corso di ultimazione presso la base aerea di Cameri.
Ne parla il quotidiano "La Stampa" di questa mattina .....
Inoltre, sempre stando a quanto scrive "RID", si starebbero tenendo colloqui con la Gran Bretagna circa la possibilità di integrare sull'aereo anche il missile AA "Meteor" .... operazione questa che dovrebbe essere effettuata in Europa .....
I primi piloti britannici hanno iniziato l'addestramento sullo F-35B .....
Dal "Daily Report" dell'AFA di questa mattina .....
British Pilots Begin F-35 Training at Eglin
Britain's first two operational F-35 pilots have begun flight training at the strike fighter's schoolhouse at Eglin AFB, Fla., reports Florida's Crestview News Bulletin.
"It's an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," stated Royal Air Force squadron leader Franki Buchler in the newspaper's Nov. 23 report.
Buchler and Royal Navy Lt. Cdr. Ian Tidball represent both British services that will eventually operate the F-35.
Since the United Kingdom opted to purchase the F-35B short-takeoff and vertical-landing variant, just like the US Marine Corps, the two British pilots, along with 12 maintainers and two supervisors, are embedded with the marines' training presence at Eglin.
Two British F-35Bs are already stationed at Eglin, augmenting the marines' training fleet there, according to the newspaper.
Once their F-35 initial flight training at Eglin is complete, the two pilots are slated to join a British F-35 test force at Edwards AFB, Calif., to prepare the F-35B for entry into British service.
Il Canada è alla ricerca di possibili alternative .....
Canada might be issuing RFIs for F-35 alternative soon .....
Canada's National Post is reporting that the country's Conservative--or Tory if you prefer--government will soon issue requests for information (RFI) to Boeing, Eurofighter and possibly Dassault for a potential alternative to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The move is designed to signal that the Harper government is serious about considering alternatives to the stealthy single-engine fighter, the purchase of which is mired in controversy in Canada.
Considerando la situazione geostrategica/politica canadese, direi che c'è solo un'alternativa possibile.
Ho pianto, ho riso... Ho fatto scelte sbagliate, altre giuste... Sono amico di molti, voglio bene a pochi, non odio nessuno... Parlo poco ma dico sempre quello che penso... Qualcuno mi vuole bene, altri mi detestano... Pazienza è la vita!
Più o meno... Ai canadesi interessa una comunanza con gli USA, per ovvie ragioni. Anche se il Typhoon rappresenta un prodotto più che valido ( anzi direi ottimo), non rispecchia di certo questa caratteristica di "logistica"comune. Senza contare il costo comunque alto, e la piena capacità swing role ancora da implementare ( di certo non gratuita). Senza queste capacità, che invece nel Super Hornet ( o meglio, nel Super-Super Hornet) sono presenti, dubito che ci sia un mercato in Canada per il consorzio Eurofighter. I canadesi, ormai, sono sulla retta via della standardizzazione e del concetto multiruolo/multimissione già da tempo ( anche se il Comando aereo è stato ribatezzato da poco nuovamente RCAF)... Non credo tornino indietro, anche se sono state messe sul tavolo le possibilità di una doppia linea. Non con un asset come il SH che fa tutto ad un buon prezzo!
Ovviamente tutto è possibile...
Ho pianto, ho riso... Ho fatto scelte sbagliate, altre giuste... Sono amico di molti, voglio bene a pochi, non odio nessuno... Parlo poco ma dico sempre quello che penso... Qualcuno mi vuole bene, altri mi detestano... Pazienza è la vita!
ELTAR ha scritto: Senza contare il costo comunque alto
i prezzi lievitano considerando il supporto prodotto dopo la vendita....in questo contesto sono rimasti fregati con gli indiani......(oltre al fatto che Tifi non ha clearance per le armi atomiche)
ELTAR ha scritto:
e la piena capacità swing role ancora da implementare ( di certo non gratuita).
...
garantito a partire dal blocco 10 (T3a) - giugno 2013
ELTAR ha scritto:
Ovviamente tutto è possibile...
anche io ho la tua stessa visione della cosa
"Il buon senso c'era; ma se ne stava nascosto, per paura del senso comune" (Alessandro Manzoni)
Purtroppo c'è sempre di mezzo la politica ( o la logistica... I canadesi mi sono simpatici, gliela passo per buona!!)... Guarda cosa è successo in Giappone!! Pur di non comprare europeo si sono accontentati di un Ipod con le ali.
Ultima modifica di ELTAR il 28 novembre 2012, 18:50, modificato 1 volta in totale.
Ho pianto, ho riso... Ho fatto scelte sbagliate, altre giuste... Sono amico di molti, voglio bene a pochi, non odio nessuno... Parlo poco ma dico sempre quello che penso... Qualcuno mi vuole bene, altri mi detestano... Pazienza è la vita!
Ho pianto, ho riso... Ho fatto scelte sbagliate, altre giuste... Sono amico di molti, voglio bene a pochi, non odio nessuno... Parlo poco ma dico sempre quello che penso... Qualcuno mi vuole bene, altri mi detestano... Pazienza è la vita!
Senza queste capacità, che invece nel Super Hornet ( o meglio, nel Super-Super Hornet) sono presenti .....
..... Non con un asset come il SH che fa tutto ad un buon prezzo!
Quando parli di "Super-Super Hornet" ..... penso tu stia alludendo a questo .....
Tornando comunque allo F-35 ..... sembra sia imminente la firma del contratto per il 5° lotto .....
Pentagon, Lockheed 'Getting Close' On Next F-35 Contract: Kendall .....
Lockheed Martin and the Defense Department are nearing agreement on a long-delayed contract for a fifth batch of F-35 fighter jets, the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer told Reuters on Wednesday.
“I think we’re getting close,” Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall told Reuters after a speech to an investor conference hosted by Credit Suisse.
