The 'Ori' - explained Davis - will last twelve days. We will analyze 134 specific factors of the hunt and then we will draw up our final report.
Although it is not up to a single body to certify the Initial Operating Capacity of a weapon system, the Marines have no intention of adopting a machine that cannot meet their requirements. For the Pentagon, in fact, the JSF could already enter service. Should the outcome of the inspection correspond to the needs of the Marines, the F-35B will enter into service (and in the history of aviation) the next 15 July with Initial Operating Capacity.
But everything depends on the 'ORI'.
I think everything will be fine - added Davis - but we are calculating the availability of spare parts available, should we make the fighter operational next month. This is currently a serious problem we are facing. Due to the cut in Congress funding, the F-35 would be short of spare parts. We could be forced - Davis concluded - to request additional funds to avoid potential problems with the availability of the aircraft, should we deploy it abroad.
The aircraft could go into battle with 'reduced' equipment: AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, GBU-12 bombs and GBU-39.
Unlike the V-22 Osprey that the Marines deployed in Iraq immediately after the 'IOC', the F-35 will not go to war with the Islamic State.
Also from the international exhibition of aeronautics and space in Paris-Le Bourget, Lockheed promptly responded to the concerns of Davis, reassuring about the supply of spare parts.
Should the F-35 pass the inspection, it will enter into service with the "Green Knights" of the Marine Fighter Squadron 121.
Franco Iacch
(photo: Lockheed Martin)
