F-35B, only one signature is missing: the current situation of the JSF

Now it is up to the Marine commander, General Joe Dunford, to put the latest signing into service, with Initial Operational Capacity, of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Davis added, "Our commander is a busy guy and nobody wants to hurry him. He is analyzing all the data collected during Operational Readiness Inspection, I would like to say that he will dissolve the reserves in no time, but it would not be correct. the parameters provided for in the final inspection have been achieved ".

We know that unlike the V-22 Osprey that the Navies deployed in Iraq immediately after the 'IOC', F-35 will not go to war with the Islamic State. The first squadron of VMFA-121 will be transferred to the base of Iwakuni, in Japan, in January of 2017, to respond to possible crises in the Region.

It will no longer be a plane on paper - said Davis - the F-35 could be used anywhere in the world, if its specific support to our troops is required. Upon entering the service, he will be part of the general arsenal of the US military aviation.

And it will be a historic moment - the general added - for what was wrongly branded as the weapon system that destroyed the Pentagon and our defense capabilities.

"Our pilots were able to carry out an armed reconnaissance mission in a highly threatened environment, contexts in which Boeing Co F / A-18 and AV-8B Harrier could not operate. This means that the F-35 could have easily destroyed the Scud missile sites during the first Gulf War even if heavily protected. "

Davis, which confirms the current problems on sharing data collected by fighters in four aircraft configuration, stated the new strategy that the Marines will adopt, with 2 + 2 fighter formations. The merger of data on threats detected by a team of four fighters is not well managed by the current software. Consequently, the F-35 has some difficulties in identifying the real number of enemy targets on the radar. Better, therefore, to make them fly in pairs.

The problems have been identified in the collective 'fusion' of the detected threats, one of the strengths of the future 'Game Changer'. The data transmitted to the pilots, at times, are not the real ones.

Davis confirmed that Lockheed Martin will solve the problem with the 3F software block. The Marines, therefore, will fly the F-35 in pairs instead of four. This configuration has shown greater reliability and low levels of false alarms, absolutely manageable.

The delays, however, also turn into figures. In fact, Lockheed could lose part of the 300 million dollars in incentives linked to the development of the three software packages 2B, 3i and 3F. According to the contract the company would have received "prizes" if it had respected the timeline of deliveries.

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 needed for the F-35 Initial Operational Capabilities by providing software for training and primary interaction between the various major systems. The Block-2A is the software currently "loaded" on the F-35 fleet. Increases the general capabilities of the pilot training aircraft 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 with the 2B software block.

The 2B bestows 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). At the 28 in July, 50% of the American F-35 fleet loaded the 2B. It should be noted that the F-35B tested by the Marine is equipped with a special version of Block 2B software. The Marine Squadron, called the '1 Group', presents most of the hardware modifications already implemented (and which will be integrated into mass production tomorrow) like the reinforced bulkheads. The aircraft could go into battle with 'reduced' equipment: AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, GBU-12 and GBU-39 bombs.

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 (except for sensational delays), the F-35A can fire with the internal cannon and release a series of ammunition including AIM-9X, AMRAAM, GBU-12, GBU-31 and Small Diameter Bomb II. The Block 3F software will provide the 100 per cent of the 'Warfighting' capabilities of the fighter, with total integration of all external systems. The Block 3F was written, according to the latest information from Lockheed, and is being tested. 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 dedicated to countermeasures against existing enemy air defense systems and those that will arise in future years.

"We need to build airplanes and start mass production in order to have the certainty and peace of mind of replacing the platforms in service." Regarding the possible revisiting of the fighters that the Pentagon could order, as proposed by the Defense Planning Guidance, Davis is been clear "The F-35 will have to be 2443 as expected. We have F-18, Harrier and Prowler in service for more than 20 / 30 years. Our air fleet needs those 2443 F-35 and the Marine Corps wants its 420 JSF ".

The Pentagon has already given the green light for the entry into service of the F-35B. Lockheed delivered 33 of the 340 F-35Bs purchased by the Marine Corps as well as 80 F-35Cs to be deployed on aircraft carriers. By July, the Marines will have more than fifty F-35 licensed pilots and more than 400 maintenance servicemen. Under the Marine Corps Aviation Plan, the F-35 will replace the entire EA-6B Prowler fleet by 2019 and supplant the AV-8B Harrier from 2026. Finally, the F-35 will take over the beloved F / A-18 Hornet in 2030.

The Air Force will reach the Initial Operative Capacity of the F-35A as soon as the first squad consisting of 12-24 aircraft will be formed, with trained aviators and crews able to perform close air support missions, interdiction and limited suppression and destruction of enemy anti-aircraft defenses. The F-35A will reach the 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 fighter will cost the United States 1500 billions of dollars. In addition to the United States, hunting was ordered by Great Britain, Australia, Italy, Turkey, Norway, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and Israel.

Franco Iacch

(photo: Lockheed Martin)