First In-Flight refueling with external weapons

Asif · by **Asif** » 24 Apr 2012, 20:40

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-04 flown by LtCol George 'Boxer' Schwartz completed the program's first in-flight refuelling mission while configured with external weapons at Edwards AFB on April 21st, 2012. [Lockheed Martin photo by Tom Reynolds]

neptune · by **neptune** » 24 Apr 2012, 22:59

Oh!No!, but it's not stealthy if it is carrying external weapons :roll:

...I forgot there was a refueling boom stuck in the top and a "not " stealthy KC-10 just feet away! I wonder how stealthy it is when is bores a hole in the ground after running out of fuel. On the other hand, without external stores, does the KC-10 look on radar, like it is practicing refueling when "hooked-up" to a stealthed JSF? :?:

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 24 Apr 2012, 23:19

WOW! And it can refuel in a turn? How many Gs?

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 25 Apr 2012, 13:56

And HEAVY baby! I don't see any other 'four external stores' except empty stations but whatever - we cannot see internal carry so we have to believe. Right? :roll:

BIG PIC:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/d ... 254_12.jpg

F-35A Completes First In-Flight Refueling Mission With External Weapons

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/p ... ssion.html

"FORT WORTH, Texas, April 24, 2012 – On Saturday, Apr. 21, a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the program’s first in-flight refueling mission while configured with external weapons at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. George Schwartz piloted the test aircraft, known as AF-4, with two external inert AIM-9X weapons and four external stores. Internally, the jet was carrying two Joint Direct Attack Munitions and two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. The two-hour mission tested the flying qualities of the aircraft while maneuvering with external weapons. This test paves the way for weapons separation testing later this year...."

cywolf32 · by **cywolf32** » 25 Apr 2012, 17:09

The stores are the hardpoints mounted for "storing" weapons if you look at the pic. Someone who copies and pastes like crazy should know this by now. Jeez.....

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 25 Apr 2012, 21:32

Maybe if the press release said 'configured FOR external weapons' it would have been more accurate. You have a problem with 'copy/paste'?

cywolf32 · by **cywolf32** » 26 Apr 2012, 01:25

They were quite ACCURATE actually spaz. And I never condemned your copy/paste approach. But if your going to do so, make sure your opinion concludes that what is stated is wrong. Nomenclature here is correct with regard to the article.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 26 Apr 2012, 01:35

Well now you really are nit picking. Yes there are two external stores but the other store stations - 4 of 'em are empty - 4 external store stations are empty. Are you claiming otherwise?

cywolf32 · by **cywolf32** » 26 Apr 2012, 01:54

Stores? Store stations? Are you telling me you cannot tell what is what. If someone calls a fan a blower, I still know what a fan is..........

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 26 Apr 2012, 01:59

You will have to do better with your explanation? I'm happy to be corrected. So what is it? And use references for your claims. Thanks. And refer to the F-35 and nothing else.

cywolf32 · by **cywolf32** » 26 Apr 2012, 05:20

Stores= storage of weapons or other ancilliary equipment regardless of acft type actually. It simply means the acft can "store" a weapon or fuel tank, ECM pod, training pods etc......

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 26 Apr 2012, 05:56

OK so no copy/paste for you then? The word I was looking for was 'pylon'. There are four empty pylons on the F-35 in the photo above. Is that what you mean. There are no stores on the pylons. The A4G did not usually remove these underwing/centreline pylons (exception 'aggressor/adversary' A-4s in USN and the Blue Angels and I think they all kept the centreline pylon?) because it was too difficult. Otherwise these 'store stations' were referred to in that way; and it was a long time ago. So - are they 'pylons' in your world?

Looking at NATOPS these were 'AERO 20A RACK-PYLONS' and the difference is shown in the compilation photo below of a Blues A-4 and an A4G.

haavarla · by **haavarla** » 26 Apr 2012, 06:36

You will have to do better with your explanation? I'm happy to be corrected. So what is it? And use references for your claims. Thanks. And refer to the F-35 and nothing else.

Yes, note the difference on Stores and Pylons.
Anyways, thx for the pics, it looks cool with external pylons/missiles attached.

Those F-35 Pylon looks rather big, is it due to A2G ordinance?

1st503rdsgt · by **1st503rdsgt** » 26 Apr 2012, 07:05

haavarla wrote:Those F-35 Pylon looks rather big, is it due to A2G ordinance?

It may be that we're just not used to seeing the main pylons on any fighter without bags or bombs. It might also have something to do with the fact that the F-35 is being designed to launch its ordnance with compressed air only (no more pyrotechnics).

checksixx · by **checksixx** » 26 Apr 2012, 10:39

Maybe we can put this FIT of wording to rest...

World English Dictionary
stores (st??z)

— pl n
1. a supply or stock of something, esp essentials, for a specific purpose: the ship's stores
2. munitions slung externally on a military aircraft airframe

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

pylon
[pahy-lon] ? Example Sentences Origin
py·lon
? ?[pahy-lon] Show IPA
noun
1.
a marking post or tower for guiding aviators, frequently used in races.
2.
a relatively tall structure at the side of a gate, bridge, or avenue, marking an entrance or approach.
3.
a monumental tower forming the entrance to an ancient Egyptian temple, consisting either of a pair of tall quadrilateral masonry masses with sloping sides and a doorway between them or of one such mass pierced with a doorway.
4.
a steel tower or mast carrying high-tension lines, telephone wires, or other cables and lines.
5.
Aeronautics . a finlike device used to attach engines, auxiliary fuel tanks, bombs, etc., to an aircraft wing or fuselage.
Origin:
1840–50; < Greek pyl?n gateway, gate tower
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To pylon