The two F-35Cs used for the first of three sea trials, successfully completed the 95% of the scheduled tests. According to the US Navy, the JSF has proven to be much more reliable than expected.
Here are some branched data.
In two weeks of testing at sea, the two fighters carried out 101 launches from the "Nimitz" catapults, performing 214 "touch and go" landings and 104 settling with the redesigned "Tailhook".
The F-35C will review the sea in the 2015 for the second test session and in the 2016 with the latest tests before it can be declared ready for combat, in the 2018, albeit with limited capabilities (initial operational capacity).
The 'C' model costs around 130 million dollars, but Lockheed aims to lower the price to 96 million dollars by the 2018.
The Pentagon should buy 2400 Joint Strike Fighter for a total cost of 400 billion dollars, the 70 per cent more than the original projections and for more aircraft. The production contract for the Joint Strike Fighter was awarded to Lockheed in the 2001.
To date, around 100 fighters have been delivered while development and testing continues. About 100 F-35 pilots have been trained at Englin, including British and Dutch aviators. Much of the training was performed on the simulators, because the aircraft's software is not yet ready. The pilots, then, have never carried out fire training missions because the planes do not yet have the necessary software, for example, for the bombing.
In fact, we are talking about an aircraft that has yet to reach its initial operational capacity: the current F-35 is not yet ready for use in combat.
The Air Force will reach the initial operational 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 full initial operational capability between August and December of the 2016.
The Marine Body equipped with the F-35B will reach initial operational capability as soon as the first 10-16 aircraft squadron has been formed, with infantry and trained crew to carry out close missions, interceptions, armed reconnaissance missions and support with land forces. The F-35B will achieve full initial operational capability between July and December of the 2015.
Us Navy, finally equipped with the F-35C, will achieve full initial operational capability as soon as the first 10 airplane squadron has been formed with personnel trained and trained military personnel and pilots. The F-35C will achieve full initial operational capability between August 2018 and February 2019.
Franco Iacch
(photo: US Navy)
