Forum: F-35 Lightning II

StolichnayaStrafer wrote:

Some quick comments before returning on topic:

The bomb fuses were not defective, they were bombing from too low of an altitude for proper fusing- AAA and SAMS tend to cause that. If the Srgentines had retarding mechanisms on their bombs, it would have been a different story.

A bunch of ships sitting relatively motionless in a bay make for JUICY targets- however, another reason for attackers to fly low to avoid fire before attacking.

The Atlantic Conveyor was pretty much only transporting the additional Harriers to the Hermes and Invincible.
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Now then, where were we?

So, I think the Japanese can definitely benefit from getting some F-35 Lightnings. The A models would be nice replacements for their older Air Force assets, or great additions at the very least. B models would be great for them having some shipborne air assets too. However- given their normal military procedures and defensive posture, I would think that the B models would really be an excellent Air Force addition used in a role much like the Harriers in Europe before. Rapid deployment without reliance on runways combined with the daisy chain refueling/rearming method would probably be a great strategy for the Japanese military.

At least it sounds pretty good to me, but I could be wrong too. Shrug

With time I would be surprised to see many air forces procure both types. As the advantages are obvious. Wink

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(Off-topic alert.)

] If the Srgentines had retarding mechanisms on their bombs, it would have been a different story.

AFAIK, the Argentine Air Force bombs were improperly fused for low-altitude delivery, but the Argentine Navy bombs, esp after the 25 de Mayo went home, were high-drag iron bombs, properly fused, and more effective.

] I think the Japanese can definitely benefit from getting some F-35 Lightnings.

The JMOD claims the F-35 (or preferably F-22) will replace the F-4. Historically and technically, the F-4 replaced the F-104 as the air superiority fighter, and the F-15 replaced the F-4.
OTOH, the F-2 replaced the F-1 as the support fighter, tasked with air-to-mud and air-to-ship ops.

Numerically:
F-86 > F-104 > F-4 > F-15
F-1 > F-2

The JMOD doesn't claim the F-35 will replace the F-15 or F-2, so IMO (in baseball terms) the F-35 sounds like a switch-hitter, flexibly adapting to both the high and the low profiles.

Or, maybe the JMOD is polite, and isn't bold enough to claim the F-35 will replace the F-4 AND F-15. The old JDA and new JMOD always have the philosophy of "Tried the rest and bought the best", such as the JGSDF fleet of about 10 AH-64Ds, and the Type 90 MBTs that haven't gone anywhere.

Gamera wrote:

(Off-topic alert.)

] If the Srgentines had retarding mechanisms on their bombs, it would have been a different story.

AFAIK, the Argentine Air Force bombs were improperly fused for low-altitude delivery, but the Argentine Navy bombs, esp after the 25 de Mayo went home, were high-drag iron bombs, properly fused, and more effective.

] I think the Japanese can definitely benefit from getting some F-35 Lightnings.

The JMOD claims the F-35 (or preferably F-22) will replace the F-4. Historically and technically, the F-4 replaced the F-104 as the air superiority fighter, and the F-15 replaced the F-4.
OTOH, the F-2 replaced the F-1 as the support fighter, tasked with air-to-mud and air-to-ship ops.

Numerically:
F-86 > F-104 > F-4 > F-15
F-1 > F-2

The JMOD doesn't claim the F-35 will replace the F-15 or F-2, so IMO (in baseball terms) the F-35 sounds like a switch-hitter, flexibly adapting to both the high and the low profiles.

Or, maybe the JMOD is polite, and isn't bold enough to claim the F-35 will replace the F-4 AND F-15. The old JDA and new JMOD always have the philosophy of "Tried the rest and bought the best", such as the JGSDF fleet of about 10 AH-64Ds, and the Type 90 MBTs that haven't gone anywhere.

The odds are the Japanese will replace the F-4's and F-15's with F-35's. As its the only real option. On the otherhand the F-2's could be replaced with some type of UCAV's. Of course that's 20+ years from now..... Wink

Probably more like 10 yrs from now, Corsair. (whether it be ours or theirs)

And Gamera, good summary.

F-2 Is too new to be replaced just yet, plus I dont think the japanese would want to loose its only indegenous type in operation.

Who said anything about replacing the F-15's or F-2's today? As the F-4's would come first and its likely to take a good 10 years to replace them.

Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 230a1.html

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Tokyo and Washington are contemplating Japanese participation in a multinational project to develop the F-35 stealth fighter, sources in both governments said Tuesday.

The move is intended to clear the way for Japan to adopt the F-35 as its mainstay fighter jet, because countries not participating in the project won't be allowed to acquire it at an early date.

Tokyo's participation would be limited to developing components to be provided exclusively to the Air Self-Defense Force so as not to conflict with Japan's principles of banning exports of weapons and arms technology, the sources said.

The U.S. is considering allowing Japan to take part in the program even without assurances from Tokyo that it will procure the F-35, they said.

The F-35 is being developed by the United States, Australia, Britain and other countries. It is due to be available for operational use in the mid-2010s. Countries involved in the joint project are expected to be able to acquire the fighter on a preferential basis.

Japan initially aimed to acquire the U.S. F-22 stealth fighter to replace its aging F-4EJ fighter fleet, but U.S. law currently prohibits exports of the F-22 and the U.S. has announced it will halt production of the fighter.

Japan has also studied other planes, such as the F/A-18 and F-15FX produced by the U.S., and the Eurofighter, produced by a consortium of European manufacturers.

The government is likely to incorporate the plan to acquire the F-35 in new defense policy guidelines and the medium-term defense buildup plan to be adopted next December.

The government decided in October to delay its adoption by one year partly to reflect the policies of the Democratic Party of Japan and its coalition partners.

Another 'blast from the past' to illustrate Japanese interest in STOVL: DATE:31/05/95 SOURCE:Flight International

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/19 ... erest.html

"Japan rekindles Harrier interest Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE

JAPAN'S MILITARY is signalling renewed interest in the British Aerospace/McDonnell Douglas Harrier, and hopes to secure funding in the next five-year defence plan for an initial batch of the vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. The purchase of between three and five aircraft is understood to have been included in the draft 1996-2000 defence plan, now being drawn up by the Japan Defence Agency. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) and Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) have required a V/STOL capability for a long time, but have failed to win the necessary political support. This is the first time that acquisition has been included formally in a draft-defence plan. The aircraft have officially been categorised as trainers, in a move designed to make the programme more politically acceptable..."

http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/marus ... 04162.html

The 1/700 model kit of the JDS Ise by Aoshima, includes AV-8s and F-35s. 8(

spazsinbad wrote:

Another 'blast from the past' to illustrate Japanese interest in STOVL: DATE:31/05/95 SOURCE:Flight International

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/19 ... erest.html

"Japan rekindles Harrier interest Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE

JAPAN'S MILITARY is signalling renewed interest in the British Aerospace/McDonnell Douglas Harrier, and hopes to secure funding in the next five-year defence plan for an initial batch of the vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. The purchase of between three and five aircraft is understood to have been included in the draft 1996-2000 defence plan, now being drawn up by the Japan Defence Agency. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) and Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) have required a V/STOL capability for a long time, but have failed to win the necessary political support. This is the first time that acquisition has been included formally in a draft-defence plan. The aircraft have officially been categorised as trainers, in a move designed to make the programme more politically acceptable..."

If they were really interested, I think they would have bought some by now. Who knows though. With the British military planning to retire many of it's own Harrier IIs, then maybe Japan could purchase a handful of those. I'm not sure the USMC is quite willing to give up any of it's Harrier IIs. Anyways, they'll probably just wait for F-35Bs to become available.

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

Japan gearing up to acquire F-35 fighters