The latest sea trials: F-35B on the USS Wasp

"This is exactly why we have extensive tests and EXERCISES before COMBAT deployments." These six fighter jets were being ferried to Kadena Air Base in Japan, where they would have participated in multiple combat exercises before being declared fully operational.

Since the fighters had not crossed the international date line during testing, there was no way for that testing to reveal this problem.

 

If an Ipad can cross the Intl Date line, you would think the F-22 could.

Just saying.

 

Kinda gotta agree

 

The iPad was mostly made on the other side of the International Date Line, for an international market. Because of that, I'm fairly certain Apple would have caught any such problems quite early, avoiding press coverage of it's internal business.

There are a good number of news reporters who seemingly just love running down the military, so relish publishing stories of minor incidents like it's a big deal. This was a minor problem (one incident six years ago), fixed very quickly. The F-22 Raptor can, and routinely does, cross the International Date Line.

Just saying.

 

Ok, Ill post stories about the OBOGS failure and how it's killed pilots and caused crashes.

http://www.defensereview.com/f-22-raptor-oxygen-problem-obogs-and-eos-under-the-microscope/

I'm sorry but if every other aircraft in inventory has no problem crossing the Intl date line why does the F22? The F15 has been around since the 70's, it's OBOGS works fine. Pilots are actually requesting not to fly the F22. My buddy turned down the opportunity and stayed with the Strike Eagle. These are problems that a jet with this much R&D, money, and testing should not have. So a $130mil jet has issues flying above FL10000. I bet China is shitting their pants right now.

 

More recent articles explaining the problem (the pilot's g-suit) and solution.

http://www.defencetalk.com/panetta-lifts-f-22-raptor-flight-restrictions-43958/

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...oot-cause-of-f-22-raptors-oxygen-woes-374690/

 

Oh, so now you're going to bring up an entirely different problem. Look, I'm not here to defend the F-22, nor will continue to do so. My point was and is that every tactical jet fighter has had it's share of problems, including your touted F-15 Eagle (repeated accidental firings of it's missiles, several crashes, etc). As you might say, you'd think the F-15's manufacturer could do something as simple as designing flight controls which would prevent pilots from accidently hitting the wrong button (firing missiles at aircraft flown by their fellow pilots). Few other similar aircraft have this problem.

 

Not to mention the F-15's structural problems in 2008.

 

No I'm not saying any jet has been perfect, the 15, 16, 14 all have had their problems. Hell a wing fell off the F117 during an air show. But what went into the 22 and the amount of $$$ I would expect more, and the problems this early on in the lifespan I think deserve to have questions raised. As a tax payer, I expect more.

 

More F-35 issues

http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-report-cites-lack-maturity-lockheed-f-35-010125580--finance.html

 

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2136312-1,00.html

Good read on the F35 and where the program stands.

 

More fun F-35 news....All jets grounded

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...rike-fighters-over-crack-in-engine-blade?lite=

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sto...er-jets-boeing-superhornet-f-35-milewski.html

 

So much news lately, haha. Considering I am literally sitting in a meeting with my Lockheed Martin F35 program and engineering counterparts across the table from me as I type this (I am an engineering working on F35 program), I assure you, the F35 will NOT be shut down. WORST case we are looking at is about a 10% cut in the US...basically, F35 is too big to fail now with too many international orders to stop.

 

That's pretty sweet you get to work with the program!

I disagree with you though. The F-22 was cut by more than 50%, International orders are being cut, throw that in with the delays, problems, "sequestrian" and other budget/economy issues, I'm afraid it could be cut by even more.

I'm all for Govt funding of the research and development of future weapons and new technologies, but with the 35 and 22, I just dont see the advantage they bring over existing aircraft for the price in todays economy and current conflicts.

 

F22 and F35 are two different animals. F22 was US only, ALL the cost was footed by the US, meaning the US could cut it anytime (which they did as we all know). A VERY large chunk of the money (already paid) for the F35 is international meaning US gov has no say whatsoever as they cannot pull that funding (if they pull funding at all). Trust me, I see a LOT more than what "opinionated" news articles depict.

Example, this particular article above fails to mention that while the F18 is cheaper (because of the total time in service and number of units made, obviously not apples to apples here with F35), the F18 is half the range, with twice the radar section. If this really is desired, we would drop advanced next gen aircraft and go back to pumping out F15s, F16, etc. Fact is these are nowhere near the same aircraft, nor are they held to the same operational requirements.

At the end of the day, EVERY aircraft ALWAYS has issues during development. Media is now just publishing them more than in the past. I mean you really think the 787 and the F35 are the only aircraft to have these hiccups? (I have worked on both of those). NO, ALLLLLLL advanced development faces growing pains, you are just seeing it in media more lately.

Anyway, I cannot get into specifics, so iIwill just leave it at this: dont beleive everything you read in the news, and the F35 isnt going anywhere except into full rate production.....eventually (haha)

 

Pretty sure Canada won't be buying the F35 anymore

 

You are right about the "hicups" Back in the 80's the F16 had a wire chafing that caused several crashes. There was a lifetime movie about a pilot's wife that sued.

Anyway...On paper I see what the desire for the 22 and 35 are and what they can do and their effect as a deterent. But in reality with today's wars and landscape I dont see the need for stealth, supercruise, in a fighter. The 22 has yet to be used in combat and unless we fight China, that will most likely remain. I think the idea with the 35 to be a replacement for the AV8, 16, 18, A10 was a bit of a reach. I think it's good to have an aircraft dedicated to a specific role, than just a jack of all trades type.

 

I think that makes Canada, Australia and Denmark all pretty much out. Cancelling those orders will just add on to the unit cost.

 

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-f-35s-shaky-international-support/