Saturday, March 17, 2018

Stealth Saga #73

Sixth Generation Fighter:

The US Air Force is warning the 6th gen fighter must arrive much faster than the F-35 did or it will be irrelevant.

China has begun work on its 6th gen fighter.

F-3:

Japan is sending out an RFI for information from US aerospace companies to help build the follow-on to the F-2 fighter the second week of March 2018.

The next gen Japanese fighter will be based off a Western design.

FCAS:

The Anglo-French Future Combat Air System may be a casualty of Brexit.

AMCA:

The Indians are requiring any winning bid for the new fighters India wants to have help developing India's 5th generation stealth fighter.

Su-57:

The Russians have disclosed they sent the Su-57 to Syria to test radar and EW systems.  The aircraft has not been cleared for combat.

The Russians are now claiming they have withdrawn the Su-57s.

Israel is very concerned about the Su-57s in Syria.

A report claimed the Russians will be designing a new aircraft for use on its current (and possible future) carriers rather than use the Su-57.  However, the UAC came out and stated they are ready to make the Su-57 carrier compatible.

PAK-DA:

Is Tupolev struggling with being unable to find enough engineers and technically skilled people to build the PAK-DA?

J-20:

The J-20 is not using the new engines (WS-15) designed by the Chinese.  The new engines are having problems during the development.  It seems to be related to metallurgy for the fan blades.

The J-20 was intended to be used as an air supremacy fighter, but will be developed into other variants like what was done with the F-15.

J-31:

China's Shenyang Corporation has completed another J-31 prototype.  It should be noted the Chinese are calling the J-31 a research effort and not, as we americans call it, a program of record.  The J-31 designation is considered unofficial.

B-21:

The prototype B-21 bomber(s) are being hinted at being unveiled because they need to be tested at Edwards AFB soon.

The B-21 is having some issues, but coming along well.  Supposedly.  The so-called Iron Bird is probably already flying based on reports from elsewhere.  This is how it gets transitioned into the White World.

F-22:

The F-22 demo team changed pilots.

Watch an F-22 do an inverted somersault.

Listen to an F-22 pilot gas up his plane.

The F-22 pilot that reported the hypoxia problems may have been retaliated against.

F-35:


The USMC is about to embark on the maiden operational deployment of the F-35B on the USS Wasp.

Watch the F-35Bs arrive on the USS Wasp.  The USS Wasp is headed to South Korea next month for exercises.

USMC Commandant is calling the F-35B key to the Marines.

The US Navy is getting frustrated it cannot connect the F-35 logistics software to its own.

Lockheed is being called 'uncooperative' on the F-35 contract.

Lockheed received an additional $148 million contract for more logistical support for the F-35.

Lockheed claims the F-35 will have really good readiness rates.

The Pentagon is doing a deep dive to figure out how to reduce the F-35's costs.

The F-35's costs are dropping, but not fast enough for the Pentagon.

The F-35 costs issues are fixable, but...

Half of F-35 manufacturing defects are stealth related.

Continued development and sustainment costs for the F-35 will be $1 billion annually.

US lawmakers quizzed the Pentagon over the F-35 costs.

The cost of the Block 4 software is increasing.

The Pentagon is seeking 400 GBU-49s for the F-35.

The US Navy gave Lockheed a $149 million contract mod.

One of the founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream was arrested for protesting the deployment of F-35s to Vermont.

The head of the Luftwaffe, German air force, is losing his job (in large part) for advocating the F-35 for Germany.

The Indian Air Force denies it asked for a briefing on the F-35.  However, the head of the US Pacific Command has stated he'd like to see India buy the jet.

Israeli F-35As may have made their combat debut in Syria.  The Israelis won't confirm, but won't deny either.

The Italian F-35As have gone IOC.

An Italian party that has vowed to end Italy's participation in the F-35 may gain power.

The Japanese Defense Minister stated he was the one who authorized the study of placing F-35Bs on the Izumo.

Taiwan still hopes to buy F-35B.

Terma has joined the F-35 avionics test center.

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