Lord Jim wrote:As the current prototype is also the technical demonstrator for the programme, we will have to wait to see which aircraft receive engines with this new technology. Despite the USAF stating that they want to replace the existing F-35A engine, until the try to build one that will fit in said aircraft using the new technology this cannot be seen as a certainty. Of course they could they could go all in and decide to modify the airframe to ensure they can get it to fit the new engine but then that would make their F-35A fleet unique.
That is just one train of thought though, it might also be that any new engine could fit the engine bay of the F-35 perfectly and can also take the drive shaft etc. for the lift fan. the resulting greater output to the lift fan as well as the rear nozzle in this case it would bring not just an increase in range but also greater take off weight and landing weight.
As I mentioned above I wonder how this compares to what RR is working on for its next generation engine? Could they partner up to produce any new engine for the F-35B?
It's claimed that the new engine is sized to avoid major changes to the F-35.
I seem to remember that the same line of action has been oft recommended on these pages
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 19 May 2021, 15:05
by Timmymagic
MBDA Spear will look pretty much exactly the same as SDB2 when mounted in the F-35B...
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 23 May 2021, 18:20
by bobp
Current satus of UK f35 fleet..
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 28 May 2021, 22:17
by 2HeadsBetter
Have to keep reminding myself this isn't just cgi anymore:
A carrier - on the RAF's website!
Next thing you know Man City will be winning the European Cup.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 01 Jun 2021, 12:29
by Timmymagic
USMC F-35B from HMS Queen Elizabeth had to make an emergency landing on Ibiza. It was showing in ADS-B as a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A on its approach...
Left tyre appears to be flat but its not clear if this was the cause of the emergency or due to a rough landing due to other factors.
First sea Lord has said it will be 60 and then maybe 80 for 4 deployable sqn's
so it looks like it could a second batch of 32 with an order for 12
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 03 Jun 2021, 06:48
by abc123
Anybody knows the reason for Marine F-35 emergency landing? Why didn't he return to the QE?
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 03 Jun 2021, 07:06
by Lord Jim
Given the option it must be better to carry out an emergency landing ashore rather then on the Carrier given the chance of damage to the latter. AS to why we will have to wait and see like everyone else unfortunately.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 03 Jun 2021, 09:31
by Timmymagic
abc123 wrote:Anybody knows the reason for Marine F-35 emergency landing? Why didn't he return to the QE?
Doubt we'll find out. Worth noting that the tyre may not have been the reason why...may have burst because of another issue (higher landing speed than usual, higher sink rate etc.). No need to risk a return to the carrier when a land based diversion is available. It is peacetme after all.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 03 Jun 2021, 10:29
by ArmChairCivvy
Timmymagic wrote: It was showing in ADS-B as a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A on its approach...
Have they borrowed responders. for the Europe part of the world tour?
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 03 Jun 2021, 12:28
by Timmymagic
ArmChairCivvy wrote:Have they borrowed responders. for the Europe part of the world tour?
You can put whatever information you like, same with AIS spoofing, happens all the time with US miitary aircraft, although more usually they don't broadcast details on aircraft type
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 07 Jun 2021, 14:17
by Ron5
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 09 Jun 2021, 12:37
by Timmymagic
A C-17 from Brize Norton flew out to Ibiza on the 7th with spares.
The USMC aircraft was repaired and flew out to the CSG yesterday.
Bit concerning that it look 6 days for the spares to materialise...only 1 day to get them fitted, which indicates it wasn't a serious problem.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 09 Jun 2021, 14:30
by ArmChairCivvy
Or... ODIN is still in the works?
- and once again: we have not been told which of the two (or our own 'sport' version) will support the main weapon system of the two RN's most important capital ships?
... could end up on par with the Zumwalts (no guns... but lot of space for over-sized missile silos)
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 09 Jun 2021, 14:55
by Timmymagic
Ron5 wrote:RAF don't like working at the weekends
Fear of working at weekends would be vastly overshadowed by a trip to Ibiza....
It could just be as simple as the USMC maintenance guys stayed with the Carrier and they needed to fly some maintainers in from the US or Marham to do the work. From the time to get it fixed it doesn't sound like it was anything too irksome.
The Royal Navy now has two aircraft carriers with jets on board at sea. The first fixed-wing aircraft has landed on HMS Prince of Wales operating off the South coast of Devon. The single F-35 joined the ship for Sea Acceptance Trials - a first step to ensuring she is capable of receiving, launching and continuously operating aircraft. Three Army Air Cops Apache attack helicopters are also embarked on board.
F-35B is XM149 (BK-15) and has become the first F-35B to land, taxi and takeoff from both QE class carriers. The plane is part of 207 Squadron and is based at RAF Marham.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 24 Jun 2021, 11:53
by Timmymagic
This is disappointing that this has had to be stated loud and clear....but also encouraging that it has been stated in no uncertain terms by the Secretary of State for Defence. The fact that he actually made the statement publically sounds like there has already been some serious concerns and/or arguments behind the scenes around these points
Timmymagic wrote:This is disappointing that this has had to be stated loud and clear....but also encouraging that it has been stated loud and clear by the Secretary of State for Defence. The fact that he actually made the statement publically sounds like there has already been some serious concerns and/or arguments behind the scenes around these points
Yeah part of the evidence to defence select committee. I added the full video to the defence discussion thread f35 bit near the end. Plenty on interesting comments on wedgetail, Brimstone on Apache decision, Ajax boxer and submarines.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 24 Jun 2021, 13:07
by Ron5
Timmymagic wrote:This is disappointing that this has had to be stated loud and clear....but also encouraging that it has been stated in no uncertqin terms by the Secretary of State for Defence. The fact that he actually made the statement publically sounds like there has already been some serious concerns and/or arguments behind the scenes around these points
I’m not in the business of giving a blank check to contractors
Could have fooled me after reading the NAO report. Sounds like that's exactly what the MoD does.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 24 Jun 2021, 16:59
by topman
Not surprising on the costs front or the impact from having a high maintenance cost a/c.
Surprised he has spoke out on this so publicly, I wonder why on this and why now.?
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 24 Jun 2021, 17:18
by Jdam
topman wrote:Not surprising on the costs front or the impact from having a high maintenance cost a/c.
Surprised he has spoke out on this so publicly, I wonder why on this and why now.?
Negotiating tactics most likely for the jets after our initial 48.
Integration of Meteor statement was also interesting I wonder if things are not going to plan, we haven't heard about it since the test examples were delivered over a year ago (not that I expected every detail to be listed).
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