Fórum Defesa Brasil

Embarked on Flight Training, F-35A Aborts First Flight after 15 Minutes
admin March 7, 2012 07:55 0 comments

Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations prepares for takeoff on the F-35A first training mission. Photo: USAF

Initiating F-35A training flights before the fighter completed flight testing has been in hot debate for months; this issue encountered a symbolic misfortune yesterday, as the F-35A taken on a 90 minute check flight that marked the first training sortie of the new fighter was aborted 15 minutes after takeoff due what was described as a ‘fuel leak’ warning. According to a Lockheed Martin press release, early in the flight, F-16 chase pilots observed a small amount of fluid venting from the F-35 aircraft. The pilot, following standard operating procedures, returned the aircraft safely back to the base after an approximate 20 minute flight.

GDA_Fear escreveu:Isso não é a solução, acabar com um projeto porque ele enfrenta problemas ?? Oras esse é o risco de qualquer projeto por mais bem planejado que ele seja, caso contrário fica que nem o Brasil il il com defasagem tecnológica absurda, é o preço que se paga, por implementar novas soluções em específico para o setor de defesa.

LeandroGCard escreveu:

GDA_Fear escreveu:Isso não é a solução, acabar com um projeto porque ele enfrenta problemas ?? Oras esse é o risco de qualquer projeto por mais bem planejado que ele seja, caso contrário fica que nem o Brasil il il com defasagem tecnológica absurda, é o preço que se paga, por implementar novas soluções em específico para o setor de defesa.

Verdade, desenvolvimento de produtos é assim mesmo, cheio de dificuldades e armadilhas, se fosse fácil até o Brasil faria .

Leandro G. Card

P44 escreveu:Canadá poderá retirar-se do F-35


Minister Raises Prospect of Nixing Controversial F-35 Fighter Jet Purchase (excerpt)


(Source: The Canadian Press Online; posted March 13, 2012)



OTTAWA --- The point man on the F-35 stealth fighter purchase says the Conservative government has not ruled out abandoning the troubled project.

"We have not, as yet, discounted the possibility, of course, of backing out of any of the program," Julian Fantino, associate defence minister, told the House of Commons defence committee Tuesday.

Fantino made the comment after a series of pointed questions from the opposition parties.

A tiny shift in the hard-headed policy on the country's most costly military purchase, it is also a drastic departure from the political rhetoric of a few months ago when Fantino declared his unwavering support before an American business audience.

…/…

Outside the committee, Fantino denied that the government is climbing down from its support for the jet.

"I'm being realistic," he said. "Until such time as the purchase is signed and ready to go, I think the only appropriate answer for me is to be forthright. We are committed to the program.

…/…

New Democrat critics have been relentless in the Commons by tag-teaming questions every day.

"We knew this project was shaky and now today we see a complete about-face," said defence critic David Christopherson, who pointed out the Conservatives have launched scathing attacks on critics.

"It's all bluster. The reason they suggest someone is unpatriotic is because they don't have solid answers to give. They need to be accountable to Canadians for the action they take."

[Liberal] Defence critic John McKay described the testimony as "a welcome change in tone" that was evidently brought on by a meeting earlier this month in Washington where partner nations had a chance to quiz both the manufacturer and the Pentagon, which is co-ordinating international orders.

"My question is: How come it took so long? We've been saying this for years."

…/…

In months of questioning in the Commons, Fantino has insisted there is no need for a backup plan in case of further delays in the project as the manufacturer works out software and design glitches.

On Tuesday, he told the committee he was waiting for defence officials to prepare alternate scenarios to the F-35 deal, the so-called Plan B that opposition parties have demanded. He described the request as "what if" research. (end of excerpt)


Click here for the full story, on the Winnipeg Free Press website.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... ister.html

Ministers discuss U-turn on F-35 fighter planes

Ministers have debated a possible U-turn over the choice of fighter plane for the aircraft carrier currently under construction.

In 2010 the government decided it would not order the Short Take Off, Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35.

David Cameron argued another version of the plane was more suitable.

But the defence secretary, understood to back the original choice, is thought to have met the PM after costs rose.

The decision could have a major impact on BAE Systems, which is involved in the F-35's development.
'Cats and traps'

The prime minister's spokesman refused to comment on whether a meeting had taken place

But he said Mr Hammond would make a statement to Parliament soon.

He said: "The MoD look at their budget on an annual basis. They will be looking at their equipment plan. That means reviewing all their programmes to keep an eye on costs and to ensure that any risks are properly managed.

"The defence secretary makes a statement to Parliament each year setting out the outcome of that process. The plan is that he will do so before Easter."

The cost of two new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers - originally ordered under the last Labour government - has already risen from £3.5bn to around £7bn.

Labour had originally proposed to buy a vertical landing variant of the F-35, which would be launched from a "ski jump" fitted on the new carriers and then land vertically.

The system is similar to that used by the Harrier jump jet on HMS Ark Royal - both of which were scrapped following the strategic defence and security review.

However, as a result of the government's defence spending review, it said in October 2010 that it would change its F-35 order to one for a different "carrier" variant.

This would have a longer range and would be "inter-operable" with the US and French Navy, it was argued.

It would also require significant modifications to the design of the aircraft carriers, including ships being fitted with catapults and arrestor gear - or "cats and traps" - to launch and recover the planes.

However, the estimated costs of fitting these have since risen.

It is now believed that Mr Hammond favours reverting to ordering the Short Take Off, Vertical Landing variant of the fighter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17437272