The F-35B should (it is still awaiting the final outcome of the Marine inspection) to enter service on the first of July with Initial Operational Capacity and will also perform close air support missions (Cas). However, the reduced survival capabilities of the F-35 cell and the absence of the cannon continue to arouse perplexity in those who still want the A-10 Warthog in line.
The Air Force presses to withdraw from the service the A-10 to free funds and personnel to be allocated exclusively to the JSF. We know (actually it was never a secret) that the F-35 will use the GAU-22 / A cannon (capable of firing 3.300 shots per minute, but that will carry with it 220 ammunition) only in four years. The connection code between the aircraft mainframe and the cannon has not yet been written. The final cannon software, contained in the 3F Block, will be ready within the 2019.
We have never received pressure from the Marines - added Martin - any suggested improvements have been implemented. If they had asked us to modify the development timeline we would have worked to please the customer, but there was never such a request.
In two weeks the Marine Corps could declare the Initial Operating Capacity of the F-35B. The aircraft could go into battle (but we know it will not do so until next January) with 'reduced' equipment: AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, GBU-12 bombs and GBU-39.
The development strategy of the JSF program is based on the implementation of software that from time to time increases platform capabilities. Funds for the final Block-4 have been allocated to date. The F-35 flying in the 2040 will be equipped with Block-7.
The 1A / 1B Block includes the 78 percent of the source code necessary for the F-35 Initial Operating Skills by providing training software and primary interaction between the various main systems.
The Block-2A is the software currently "loaded" on the F-35 fleet. Increases the aircraft's overall capabilities for pilot training including off-board fusion capabilities, initial data links, electronic countermeasures and improved debrief. With the 2A block, 86 per cent of the code necessary to reach the Initial Operational Capacity is provided. The Marine Corps with the F-35B should reach the Initial Operational Capacity by next July 1st with the 2B software block. The 2B provides basic Close Air Support with the possibility of launching AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile), JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) and GBU-12 (laser-guided aerial bomb).
The Air Force plans to achieve Initial Operational Capacity with the F-35A in the 2016 with the next iteration of the software, called 3i. Described as a technical update of the Block-2B, the 3i will allow the aircraft to use JDAM, GBU-12 and AMRAAM. The F-35A will have substantial air support capabilities only in the 2018, when it reaches Full Operational Capability. Only in the 2019, the F-35A will be able to fire with the internal cannon and release a series of ammunition including AIM-9X, AMRAAM, GBU-12, GBU-31 and Small Diameter Bomb I. Block 3F software will provide the 100 for one hundred 'Warfighting' capabilities of the fighter, with total integration of all external systems.
The 98% of the Block 3F has been written. The SDB-II system will be integrated with the Block-4a software.
The 4 Block will be divided into two segments. The Block-4a will be ready between the 2021 and the 2022, while the 4B for the 2023. The twelve million dollars to write the Block-4 have been included in the 2014 budget. Much of the development of the Block-4 will be devoted to countermeasures against existing enemy air defense systems and those that will arise in future years.
The fate of the F-35 in two weeks
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. Unlike the V-22 Osprey that the Marines deployed in Iraq immediately after the 'IOC' occurred, the F-35 will not go to war with the Islamic State.
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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' (Operational Readiness Inspection). We are therefore in a very delicate transition phase for what could become the first 'Warfighting' version of the platform.
If the F-35B were to enter service on a regular basis, the first VMFA-121 squadron will be transferred to the Iwakuni base in Japan in January of 2017 to respond to possible crises in the region. But before any kind of forecast, the Marine Corps reserves a specific inspection.
The Pentagon has already given the green light for the entry into service of the F-35B. Lockheed delivered 33 of the 340 F-35B purchased by the Marine Corps in addition to the 80 F-35C to be deployed on the aircraft carriers. By July, Marines will have more than fifty F-35-enabled pilots and more than 400 military specialists in maintenance. According to the Marine Corps Aviation Plan, the F-35 will replace the entire EA-6B Prowler fleet within the 2019 and will displace the AV-8B Harrier from the 2026. Finally, the F-35 will detect the beloved F / A-18 Hornets in the 2030.
The Air Force will reach F-35A's Initial Operational Capacity as soon as the first 12-24 aircraft squadron has been formed, with trained aviators and crews capable of carrying out close, suspended, and suppressed air support missions and destruction of enemy anti-aircraft defenses. The F-35A will reach Initial Operational Capacity between August and December of the 2016.
Finally, the US Navy, equipped with the F-35C, will reach the Initial Operational Capacity as soon as the first squadron composed of 10 aircraft has been formed, with personnel and navy pilots trained and able to carry out the assigned missions. The F-35C will reach the Initial Operational Capacity between August 2018 and February 2019.
The 55 years of life of the F-35 hunt will cost US $ 1500 billions of dollars.
In addition to the United States, hunting has been ordered from Great Britain, Australia, Italy, Turkey, Norway, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and Israel.
Franco Iacch
(photo: Lockheed Martin)
