F-35 and Airshows

[spazsinbad]

TALKING about transparencies/canopies there is a hint of a "NEW DESIGN" [wot doth is meaneth?] in this report below:

Esper: F-35 Won’t Hit 80% Readiness, Cites Stealth Parts
16 Jul 2019 Colin Clark

"...“Transparency (canopy) supply shortages continue to be the main obstacle to achieving this. We are seeking additional sources to fix unserviceable canopies,” Esper said in response to written questions from the Senate Armed Services Committe (SASC).

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) mentioned the canopy issue in a recent report, calling it a “special coating on the F-35 canopy that enables the aircraft to maintain its stealth.” That, the congressional watchdog said. “failed more frequently than expected” so F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin went looking for more manufactures to produce enough canopies to meet demands. GAO also said the F-35 program was considering a new design…"
[I'll have to find that GAO thingo]

Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2019/07/esp ... lth-parts/

"...For instance, DOD found that the special coating on the F-35 canopy that enables the aircraft to maintain its stealth failed more frequently than expected, and that the manufacturer could not produce enough canopies to meet demands. To address these challenges, the program is looking for additional manufacturing sources for the canopy and is considering design changes…." GAO Apr 2019 https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/698693.pdf page number 14

"...Canopy Coating De-laminations and Corrosions: GAO F-35 report Apr 2019 p. no. 36
The F-35 fleet has experienced approximately 20 incidents of the canopy transparencies delaminating after less than 100 flight hours. The contractor is currently testing numerous solutions for the de-laminations, with intentions of completing testing by January 2019.

F-35 aircraft are also experiencing canopy corrosion resulting from moisture intrusion due to the aircraft’s adhesive cracking under pressure and insufficient tape adhesion. The program has identified the need to modify over 173 canopies over 4 years. The contractor has begun to incorporate alternative material and tape into production, and released standardized repair procedures to mitigate this issue...." download/file.php?id=30272

[SpudmanWP]

Missed it by 6+ hours

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=55866

[spazsinbad]

The posts about 'canopies/transparencies' was just about that item and that it may be redesigned - but HOW? is not stated. Thus the post is relevant to the talk about visibility in the F-35 and the canopy redesign in this thread about it.

QUOTE is from SWP Esper PDF at the link above: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=55866

"...The F-35 fleet is not expected to make the 80 percent goal. Transparency (canopy) supply shortages continue to be the main obstacle to achieving this. We are seeking additional sources to fix unserviceable canopies...." page no. 76

[mixelflick]

Not surprising IMO, given the F-35 is still a ways off from being a mature weapons system.

The F-22 though, that's concerning. It's been a mature program now for at least a decade. I suppose its just another consequence of a truncated buy. Hopefully, the USAF learned a real lesson about this one. Has had a cascade effect that haunts us to this day (cough, F-15EX)

[SpudmanWP]

It's been said for years, the sequestration and continual use of CCs for almost a decade has hurt MX the most. You can't just snap your fingers and erase the damage that was done.

[blindpilot]

... The F-22 though, that's concerning....

There was this thing called a hurricane down at Tyndall AFB, FL. Coupled with the above mentioned sequestration ... no not a surprise at all.

MHO,
BP

[mixelflick]

... The F-22 though, that's concerning....

There was this thing called a hurricane down at Tyndall AFB, FL. Coupled with the above mentioned sequestration ... no not a surprise at all.

MHO,
BP

Before the hurricane down at Tyndall AFB - what was this thing called "mission capable rate" for the F-22 then? Under 80% by chance?? And with or without sequestration, has mission capable rate ever been 80%?

[blindpilot]

..

Before the hurricane down at Tyndall AFB - what was this thing called "mission capable rate" for the F-22 then? Under 80% by chance?? And with or without sequestration, has mission capable rate ever been 80%?

It's been 60-70% over the last few years, but keep in mind that was under sequestration influences. I don't believe the 80% goal has been consistently met by any type other than cargo aircraft. (see other thread discussion this title)

It's an ambitious objective I support, but I see it as a target to strive towards (ie. gives justification for key budget adjustments for certain parts/inventory).

MHO
BP

[doge]

F-35 is flying at 2019 Duluth Air Show. (From 4:30~, it's a pedal turn!!)

[doge]

Marine's F-35C (VMFA-314) is coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. (It's encounter with the super rare Monster!! )

[doge]

Mr. DOJO explains square loop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0BYAsiBoh8/

andyo_dojo
SQUARE LOOP, @f35demoteam cockpit video. Things to look for:
Prior to the pull I glance right to make sure I start the pull at show center and then I look up to make sure there isn’t a cloud I need to avoid. 7G pull straight to the vertical. 50 degrees angle of attack pull to inverted. -1G inverted flight with the stick punched full forward. Another high angle of attack pull to hurtle the jet (and me) straight at the ground followed by a carefully timed maximum performance pull up to level.

As usual, you can tell a lot by the vape. More vape equals more angle of attack. Streamlined wingtip vortices equals lower angle of attack and higher energy. You can also see the leading edge flaps move downwards at high angles of attack to meet the airflow and help it make the turn over the top of the wing.

[sferrin]

NICE!

[f-15c85-0114]

Marine's F-35C (VMFA-314) is coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. (It's encounter with the super rare Monster!! )

Very nice pictures, what are the sources of these pictures?

[jetblast16]

[gta4]

Well it seems F-22 can turn on a dime without deflecting its nozzle.