quote:

$400bn F-35 can only hit 'stationary or slow moving objects' new report reveals as military bosses claim fighter jet could battle ISIS in the Middle East 'in a few years'
Fifth-generation fighter has been plagued with issues
$400bn development schedule has stretched to 15 years
Report claims it won't be ready to even begin full combat testing until 2019

By MARK PRIGG

PUBLISHED: 15:32 EST, 27 February 2017 | UPDATED: 15:38 EST, 27 February 2017

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been hailed as the 'most expensive weapon in history', costing $400bn.

However, according to Aviation Week, the plane's laser targeting system has one slight flaw - it can only target stationary or slow moving objects.

'Despite being among the most technologically advanced low-observable warplanes on the planet, the Lockheed Martin F-35 has one significant shortcoming,' it wrote.

'The Joint Strike Fighter cannot strike moving ground targets using the targeting system and weapons loadout delivered in its final combat Lightning II configuration, Block 3F.'

The jet has gone through dozens of updates to its software, with the Block 3F being the most recent.

The controversial Joint Strike Fighter cannot strike moving ground targets using the targeting system of its latest update, it has been revealed. The issue means the aircraft is limited to striking fixed or slow-moving objects such as surface-to-air missiles

THE MAIN ISSUES

Laser targeting system cannot deal with fast moving targets

Fixing the 25mm cannon which vibrates excessively

Way it is targeted by the aircraft's 'virtual reality' helmet needs work

Overheating, premature wear of components in the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire also an issue

Aircraft's 'objectionable or unacceptable flying qualities' while crossing the sound barrier - for which there are currently no plans for a fix

The issue means the aircraft is limited to striking fixed or slow-moving objects such as surface-to-air missiles.

Project officials are reportedly looking to speed up integration of a laser-guided bomb that has its own, built-in navigation software as a stopgap solution.

The Air Force last year declared the F-35 'ready for war', but the plane will not be able to use a full host of weapons and advanced sensors until it gets an upgraded software package, which could be several years away.

Project officials are reportedly looking to speed up integration of a laser-guided bomb that has its own, built-in navigation software as a gapfiller.

The first contract is expected to be awarded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, with deliveries of the initial order to begin no later than six months after the contract date.

'In response to an Air Combat Command (ACC) Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) requirement, the USAF is seeking a time sensitive, interim solution to add a 500 lb-class Precision Guided Munition (PGM) with moving and manoeuvring target capability that is mechanically, electrically, and logically compatible with F-35 Block 3F aircraft Operational Flight Program (OFP),' the request says.

'This munition must consistently impact moving targets traveling along a constant heading with a uniform velocity up to 70 mph and manoeuvring targets performing ±0.2 g manoeuvres with velocities up to 40 mph.'

It comes as The U.S. Air Force is planning to send the F-35 to the Middle East to join the bombing campaign against Islamic State militants in 'a few years,' according to a top general.

Service officials plan to deploy the stealthy jet first to Europe and the Pacific region, Gen. Herbert 'Hawk' Carlisle, the head of Air Combat Command, told the Defense Writers Group at a breakfast in Washington, according to Defence One.

'Clearly, it would be very valuable in the fight against ISIS,' Carlisle said.

'I think it [the F-35] would aid significantly in knowing where everything is and what's going on in the battlespace,' Carlisle said.

Last year a Pentagon report warned the jet still has hundreds of faults - and won't be ready to even begin full combat testing until 2019.

The crucial 'Initial Operational Test and Evaluation' tests were scheduled for August.

The deadline represents the latest in a series of pushed-back delivery milestones.

'The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program Office (JPO) acknowledged in 2016 that schedule pressure exists for completing System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and starting Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) by August 2017, the planned date in JPO's Integrated Master Schedule,' the report says.

'In an effort to stay on schedule, JPO plans to reduce or truncate planned developmental testing (DT) in an effort to minimize delays and close out SDD as soon as possible.

'However, even with this risky, schedule-driven approach, multiple problems and delays make it clear that the program will not be able to start IOT&E with full combat capability until late CY18 or early CY19, at the soonest.'

The Pentagon's Office of Operational Testing and Evaluation says only half of its long list of concerns will be addressed before the major performance milestone.

'The Services have designated 276 deficiencies in combat performance as 'critical to correct' in Block 3F, but less than half of the critical deficiencies were addressed with attempted corrections in 3FR6'

But addressing even that reduced list is appearing rushed, it says.

There are 'significant, well-documented deficiencies resulting in overall ineffective operational performance ... 'hundreds of which will not be adequately addressed with fixes and corrections verified with flight testing.'

Key among them are fixing the 25mm cannon which vibrates excessively and the way it is targeted by the aircraft's 'virtual reality' helmet.

Improvements in the internal diagnostics software — the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) have also been slow to emerge.

They lead a list including overheating, premature wear of componentsin the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire.

The aircraft's 'objectionable or unacceptable flying qualities' while crossing the sound barrier as yet has no plans for a fix.

'The current schedule-driven program plans to close out testing in 2017 do not include enough time to fix these key deficiencies, nor time to verify corrections in flight test,' it adds.

'The program currently has 17 known and acknowledged failures to meet the contract specification requirements, all of which the program is reportedly planning to get relief from the SDD contract due to lack of time and funding.'

Despite it's incomplete state, a partially operational squadron of the Marine Corps' F-35B was deployed to Japan last week.

The report did note some progress, such as the completion of important ship-integration tests and steps toward fixing a dangerous ejection seat.

However, most of chief tester Michael Gilmore's report focuses on what still needs to be done.

In a previous memo obtained by the Project On Government Oversight, Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, warns that the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is simply cut short the plane's development phase in order to pretend that schedule and cost goals are being met.

'The purpose of this memorandum is to document my continuing concerns regarding progress in the -35 JSF program as you prepare to conduct the upcoming Defense Acquisition Board review,' the note says, according to War is boring.

It calls for the entire programme to be restructured so enough testing can be completed.

'The primary concerns were that the program appeared to be prematurely ending System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and was not taking the necessary steps to be ready for which will be conducted using realistic combat missions fully consistent with our war plans and threat assessments.'

The Marines be the first force to deploy the Lockheed Martin jet aboard the USS Wasp (pictured) next year, and will deploy a second contingent soon after, aboard the USS Essex.

Taking incompletely developed F-35s into combat will, Gilmore says, place pilots at 'significant risk.'

'If the program continues with plans to close out SDD prematurely, it will carry the high risk of failing and having to repeat the approximately $300-million operational test, and failing for many years to provide the full combat capability Block 3F has long been meant and claimed to provide.

'Finally, the combination of unfinished SDD work and the likely follow-on Operational test would significantly delay, and increase the cost of, achieving the important capabilities which are urgently needed to counter current and emerging threats.

'I therefore recommend very strongly that the program be restructured now and provided the additional resources it clearly requires to deliver its long-planned and sorely needed full Block 3F combat capability.'

The Marines began moving 16 F-35Bs to Iwakuni Air Station in Japan earlier this month, it has been revealed.

The Marines will be the first force to deploy the Lockheed Martin jet aboard the USS Wasp next year, and will deploy a second contingent soon after, aboard the USS Essex.

quote:

Originally posted by INTJ:

I LOVED that movie!

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
I realize this happened in a different age and different bureaucracy, but this has always impressed me:

Timeline for the P-51 Mustang:

January 1940-First contact between British Purchasing Commission and North American Aviation over purchase of a fighter aircraft

10 April 1940-BPC agree to development of a new fighter

24 April 1940-BPC approve the first design drawings

5 May 1940-US Government officially approves the new North American design for export.

29 May 1940-British place an order for 320 Mustang Is

9 September 1940-First prototype Mustang rolled out, although without the engine.

11 October 1940-First taxi tests

26 October 1940-First test flight

April 1941-First Mustang Is leave production line

September 1941-RAF flight testing of Mustang I begins in Britain

February 1942-No. 26 Squadron first to go operational, with Mustang I

10 May 1942-First mission for the Mustang, when No. 2 Squadron attacked a German airfield in northern France.

27 July 1942-First RAF Mustang missions over Germany, an attack on the Ruhr.

19 August 1942-Mustang scores its first confirmed victory, over Dieppe.