Report of F35A vs F16Cblk40 goes public

[Ack-Ack]

A major part of the F-35's weaponry, the SDB II (Small Diameter Bomb II) won't be deployed on the F-35 until 2022 because the software isn't ready yet and in addition, the SDB II won't fit in the F-35B's weapon bay without major modification.  Until the F-35 is capable of carrying the SDB II, it won't be capable of full close air support and only able to provide basic support.

[PR3D4TOR]

And?

The F-16 is scheduled to remain in service with the USAF until 2025. The F-35 is only just now starting its IOC phase, initial operational capability. It won't be fully operational for several more years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_operating_capability

[Ack-Ack]

And?

The F-16 is scheduled to remain in service with the USAF until 2025. The F-35 is only just now starting its IOC phase, initial operational capability. It won't be fully operational for several more years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_operating_capability

The F-35B is slated to go into operational service with the USMC at the end of this summer and won't be able to fulfill it's full mission by providing full close air support for another 7 years.  In addition, the F-35 won't be able to fire its 25mm cannon until the Block 3F software is released in 2019. 

You would think that a plane that we've thrown money at that is slated to start operational service as early as next month would be fully operational and not having to wait for 7 years or possibly more until the plane is fully capable of completing its mission.

[PR3D4TOR]

The F-35B just entered IOC, nothing more.

[PR3D4TOR]

The SDB II won't be available until 2022! Oh noes!

[PR3D4TOR]

The brutal truth is this; BVR missiles and Stealth capability will not be any guarantor that an engagement will not end up as a visual range fight just as that's been true since 1965 in many conflicts from Vietnam to the Second Gulf War.

Only the American F-35s will lack a IR missile that can be dropped from the internal weapon bays, and only by choice. The British will use their ASRAAM IR-missile which has lock-on after launch capability, 50G maneuvering and a range of 30+ miles. I assume the other European F-35 operators will adopt similar missiles.

[PR3D4TOR]

Here's a video of ASRAAM tests including an animation showing how it can engage targets behind a F-35.

[PR3D4TOR]

[Rich46yo]

The F-35B is slated to go into operational service with the USMC at the end of this summer and won't be able to fulfill it's full mission by providing full close air support for another 7 years.  In addition, the F-35 won't be able to fire its 25mm cannon until the Block 3F software is released in 2019. 

You would think that a plane that we've thrown money at that is slated to start operational service as early as next month would be fully operational and not having to wait for 7 years or possibly more until the plane is fully capable of completing its mission.

The Air Force plans to reach operational status with its F-35A in 2016 using the next iteration of the software, called 3i.  Described as a technical refresh of Block 2B, 3i will also enable the aircraft to drop JDAMs, GBU 12s and AMRAAMs.

JSF officials point out that the F-35A will have substantial close-air support capabilities when it reaches full operational capability in 2018. This includes the ability to fire an internal gun and drop a range of munitions including AIM-9X weapons, AMRAAMs, GBU 12s, GBU 31s and the Small Diameter Bomb I.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/09/f35-will-not-reach-close-air-support-potential-until-2022.html

[PR3D4TOR]

First video of the gun firing.

[PR3D4TOR]

Ten Signs The F-35 Fighter Program Is Becoming A Smashing Success:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2015/07/13/ten-signs-the-f-35-fighter-program-is-becoming-a-smashing-success/

[Zimme83]

  Glad u found a guy that knows all about the F-35, unlike all the others.

[PR3D4TOR]

Just goes to show not all journalists are sensationalist headline grabbers. In time we will see what the F-35 can do (or can't do). This entire thread (myself included) is just a collection of speculations and uninformed opinions. The only difference between me and you is that I find it hard to believe in the conspiracy theory that everyone involved in the F-35 program, including service members from 9 countries, are covering up what a failure the aircraft is. They are after all the people who might have to fly the F-35 into harm's way sometime in the future. Their butts are literally riding on it.

[Zimme83]

I would say that "ten-signs-the-f-35-fighter-program-is-becoming-a-smashing-success" is pretty much a sensationalist headline....


http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/07/19/the-weapons-we-need-for-a-war-we-dont-want/

[PR3D4TOR]

... in your opinion.