F-35 program updates

VprWzl · by **VprWzl** » 10 Sep 2009, 01:23

Damn . . . you could be right. You can see it in AB in several other parts and, while I can't tell for sure, it sure looks that way from the video . . . unless they just mis-synch'd the audio and video for a prettier picture.

StolichnayaStrafer · by **StolichnayaStrafer** » 11 Sep 2009, 03:36

sewerrat wrote:
spazsinbad wrote:F-35B Back in the Air for STOVL Tests Posted by Graham Warwick at 9/8/2009

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/de ... 7c18aba2c0
OR
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... 090909.xml

"The first STOVL F-35B, aircraft BF-1, returned to the air with a hour-long flight on Friday, restarting the countdown to the first vertical landing - in October would be my guess. BF-1 was down for an extended period of modifications resulting from previous flight and hover-pit tests, and proved reluctant to return to flight.".......

What an ugly duckling of an airplane. Fat, bulbous, stubby... All the qualities the combined US Air Force's need in an air superiority fighter. Probably optimized for transonic rather than anything else. Isn't going to be a good replacement for the A-10's as it lacks the fortitude of that airplane. Probably relies on EOTS to kills vehicles at distance... Which of course means lots more friendly fire incidents. A box kite would be an improvement over the Marines Harrier, so its going to be a good thing for them. With its weight and aerodynamics its going to be outclassed in low alt fights compared to the -16 and a few other birds across the pond. But gun fights are long gone so no need to worry about that. At mid&high alt and 50% fuel it may turn into a Ferrari however. But again, gun fights are long gone.

Uhm, the B model is NOT destined for the Air Force- USMC, Royal Navy, and the RAF perhaps, plus any other eligible countries that might want some.

Harriers have been a combat proven battle bird worthy of praise, not scorn. You seriously should look at their combat records from the last 30 or so years.

Lastly- people keep saying that dogfighting is a thing of the past, ditch the cannons. The strange thing is that every time they do this, they wind up needing them- BADLY. I am not a gambling man, but I would care to wager that the majority of fighter pilots would gladly sacrifice the room and weight to keep a gun at hand in their birds.

neptune · by **neptune** » 02 Oct 2009, 00:48

Any flights since AA left for Edwards??

Are only the BF's flying for now??

seruriermarshal · by **seruriermarshal** » 05 Nov 2009, 06:51

I take a news First Flight of Marine JSF in STOVL Mode Now Expected in December , anybody have more information ?

http://defense.iwpnewsstand.com/websear ... 2009_nov4a)>

Pecker · by **Pecker** » 05 Nov 2009, 14:25

elp wrote:The BF-1 flight to Pax should be soon I would think.

Shortly after they conduct one or two STOVL conversions (at altitude) and wrap up a practice ferry mission.

energo · by **energo** » 06 Nov 2009, 00:16

Pecker wrote:
elp wrote:The BF-1 flight to Pax should be soon I would think.

Shortly after they conduct one or two STOVL conversions (at altitude) and wrap up a practice ferry mission.

Should be off soon. Some pretty wet and cloudy weather has held it up lately. The Flight Sciences aircraft are strictly VFR, so no flying if the weather gods don't cooperate. BF-1 might make a quick stop at Marietta before heading off to Pax.

B. Bolsøy
Oslo

f22enthusiast · by **f22enthusiast** » 06 Nov 2009, 16:10

An F-35B went downtown awhile back...

seruriermarshal · by **seruriermarshal** » 07 Nov 2009, 03:10

energo wrote:
Pecker wrote:
elp wrote:The BF-1 flight to Pax should be soon I would think.

Shortly after they conduct one or two STOVL conversions (at altitude) and wrap up a practice ferry mission.

Should be off soon. Some pretty wet and cloudy weather has held it up lately. The Flight Sciences aircraft are strictly VFR, so no flying if the weather gods don't cooperate. BF-1 might make a quick stop at Marietta before heading off to Pax.

B. Bolsøy
Oslo

So they'll take F-35B BF-1 STOVL test in this month ?

Ztex · by **Ztex** » 14 Nov 2009, 03:52

So...Did BF-1 leave Ft. Worth, permanently, yesterday?

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 14 Nov 2009, 08:41

Ztex: ELP is sayin' that BooF-1 :-)

is headin' out:

http://twitter.com/E_L_P/statuses/5694887980

"F-35 on its way to Patuxent River? BF-1 may have left today with a stop in Marietta."

f35phixer · by **f35phixer** » 14 Nov 2009, 20:09

It is there in Ga. Next stop PAX.... Praise Jesus, what a long strange trip it's been :bang:

Ztex · by **Ztex** » 14 Nov 2009, 21:50

Well Rats...I missed it. I never got to see BF-1 except for First Flight Day and I was way down on the other end of the field when they were landing.

Oh well...it's not the first airplane I've missed...wont be the last.

Thanks for the update.

elp · by **elp** » 14 Nov 2009, 23:12

Source was Graham Warwick of Aviation Week Twiiter posts.

Also AF-1 has done its first flight !!!!

banken · by **banken** » 15 Nov 2009, 04:37

The mach number gets higher the higher you are. So Mach 1 at MSL is not the same speed as Mach 1 at FL300...

But it's impressive if it can super-cruise like the 22.

energo · by **energo** » 15 Nov 2009, 16:15

elp wrote:Source was Graham Warwick of Aviation Week Twiiter posts.

Also AF-1 has done its first flight !!!!

Yahoo!

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-d ... thund.html

B. Bolsøy
Oslo