Forum: F-35 Lightning II

Quote:

The Israeli air force is interested in acquiring the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

http://www.flightinternational.com/FALANDING_189296.htm
Idea

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Yep, I heard about this though im unsure why the IDF/AF would go down this road. I think its a case of showing interest in all areas of the F-35 to allow more input buy Israeli companies. Lets not forget that Israel is a partner in the program, so the more interest it shows the more contracts they may recieve for the development.

When Israel does get the F-35, will they replace any of the aircraft they currently are operating? If they do, which aircraft will retire?

The U.S. air force was (is?) considering buying some F-35B STOVL Lightning II's to replace the A-10 Warthog (SIGH! Like ANY aircraft can do that)! Maybe Israel is thinking along similar lines. The Israel Air Force always reminded me a little of the U.S. Marines in that its all about supporting the troops on the ground.

FlightDreamz wrote:

The U.S. air force was (is?) considering buying some F-35B STOVL Lightning II's to replace the A-10 Warthog (SIGH! Like ANY aircraft can do that)! Maybe Israel is thinking along similar lines. The Israel Air Force always reminded me a little of the U.S. Marines in that its all about supporting the troops on the ground.

Got a source for the claim the USAF was interested in the B variant? Why isn't anyone else interested in the conventional version and why is there hardly any coverage for it?

The Israeli Air Force has air dominance and ground support capability, a cross between the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps.

Bodizzle wrote:

FlightDreamz wrote:

The U.S. air force was (is?) considering buying some F-35B STOVL Lightning II's to replace the A-10 Warthog (SIGH! Like ANY aircraft can do that)! Maybe Israel is thinking along similar lines. The Israel Air Force always reminded me a little of the U.S. Marines in that its all about supporting the troops on the ground.

Got a source for the claim the USAF was interested in the B variant? Why isn't anyone else interested in the conventional version and why is there hardly any coverage for it?

Its was quite sometime ago. Yet, I remember the reading and discussing
the subject at great length. Of course how serious the USAF was or is about acquiring the F-35B as a A-10 replacement is subjective at best? That said, even if true. I don't think the USAF intent would be to replace F-35A's with F-35B's. More to the point to replace some A-10's with the F-35B for a more flexible fleet.

The USMC would likely have a fit if the USAF purchased F-35B's and the political fall out would not be pretty............. Shocked

In short I doubt it would happen...... Wink

Quote:

The U.S. air force was (is?) considering buying some F-35B STOVL Lightning II's to replace the A-10 Warthog (SIGH! Like ANY aircraft can do that)!

Was.

Quote:

Maybe Israel is thinking along similar lines. The Israel Air Force always reminded me a little of the U.S. Marines in that its all about supporting the troops on the ground

Apparently so. The IAF's mission is somewhat different than the USAF's as the main difference is we're expeditionary oriented and IAF is not.

As the IAF has to only concentrate on threats in neighboring states, my opinion is acquiring both the F-35A and B models would be a good idea. The A has the range, endurance and flexibility to deal with a wider array of threats to Israel while specific CAS missions can be handled by the STOVL models.

Also, both can augment each other.

Quote:

Got a source for the claim the USAF was interested in the B variant?

Google former SECAF Roche and retired CSAF Jumper and their comments on the F-35B.

Quote:

Why isn't anyone else interested in the conventional version and why is there hardly any coverage for it?

Huh? Most of the partner nations are interested in the F-35A (CTOL) variant.

f16I wrote:

Yep, I heard about this though im unsure why the IDF/AF would go down this road. I think its a case of showing interest in all areas of the F-35 to allow more input buy Israeli companies. Lets not forget that Israel is a partner in the program, so the more interest it shows the more contracts they may recieve for the development.

Israel is not a partner nation in the JSF. They may be the first export customer, but the partner nations will get priority.

nam11b wrote:

f16I wrote:

Yep, I heard about this though im unsure why the IDF/AF would go down this road. I think its a case of showing interest in all areas of the F-35 to allow more input buy Israeli companies. Lets not forget that Israel is a partner in the program, so the more interest it shows the more contracts they may recieve for the development.

Israel is not a partner nation in the JSF. They may be the first export customer, but the partner nations will get priority.

Isreal is a junior partner in the JSF Program............I believe a Tier 3 Member? Wink

Perhaps Israel is worrying more about losing runway use during combat nowadays? What with cruise missiles, UAVs and other new goodies made around the world, such a small country would be pretty smart to have aerial assets that need NO runways to defend them while runways receive critical repairs. I was always surprised that they never jumped on the Harrier bandwagon for that very reason alone.

StolichnayaStrafer wrote:

Perhaps Israel is worrying more about losing runway use during combat nowadays? What with cruise missiles, UAVs and other new goodies made around the world, such a small country would be pretty smart to have aerial assets that need NO runways to defend them while runways receive critical repairs. I was always surprised that they never jumped on the Harrier bandwagon for that very reason alone.

Small countries like Israel and Tawain. Very well know on how vulnerable there air fields would be during any likely conflict. So, its obvious that is the main interest in the F-35B............ Wink

I don´t think Israel is a partner, they have some kind of 'observer' status, that was put on some kind of hold when the Israel-china weapons scandal erupted. Might have changed now though.

muir wrote:

I don´t think Israel is a partner, they have some kind of 'observer' status, that was put on some kind of hold when the Israel-china weapons scandal erupted. Might have changed now though.

Well, they have access and have provided resources to the program. Yet, they clearly are not a major partner like Australia or Canada for example.....

muir wrote:

I don´t think Israel is a partner, they have some kind of 'observer' status, that was put on some kind of hold when the Israel-china weapons scandal erupted. Might have changed now though.

Correct.

Quote:

Well, they have access and have provided resources to the program.

What "resources" would those be?

I don't think so.

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

Israel eyes STOVL variant of F-35 - Flight Int'l Article