That’s what they want to achieve with those ten aircraft, an initial combat capable squadron to test, train pilots, and clear the way for mass production.

How many planes will these pilots have to learn on, not to mention the instructor pilots, etc…. With only 10 airframes, that makes it kind of difficult to have planes for training, and those that are combat coded.

I’ve yet to see any complaints about the F-135’s thrust in the STOVL mode, so it would seem that you’re offering up a solution in search of a problem. Thus far the issues have all been lift fan related.

That is your personal claim based on public-relation claims from PW.
“During development testing of the F135 in the May 2009 time frame, P&W found that at low altitude and high speed, certain pressure pulsations occurred when operating in full afterburner.
Just one example and still not bothered by known facts?! 😉
What is claimed by GE about the F136? You are free to show us your technical data about both engines at least.

Claims from GE aren’t PR? The only claim I’ve seen is in exceeding the thrust requirement by 5 to 10 percent. P&W have exceeded it by 20+ percent(or in other words, a more than 5000lb thrust advantage, and a more mature design.) I’m well aware of the screech problem, which has been solved, but it makes for great sensationalism.

Yes, I do, but since I hadn’t mentioned it, was curious as to why I was being asked about it. I’d mentioned the AARGM, because in addition to having to deal with EA/ECM, and the threat from SDBs, and/or other weapons, the SAM site would have to also deal withthe ARM threat.

I am not sure if you can expect an opto-electronic system without any optical zoom to identify exact aircraft type at several miles. :confused: EODAS only has 10x digital mag, you will hardly get anything but grainy pixels.

Have you ever worked with a thermal imager? I have a lot and see great limitations of this technology in the IFF procedure.

Within its effective range it provides near 20/20 acuity at much greater than a few miles.

http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/solutions/f35targeting/assets/video_noyt.html

I know you don’t buy into the maneuverability is irrelevant line, but this video goes into the various functions DAS serves.

What are JSOW and JASSM? The alternatives you offered when challenged on the all powerfullness of the sbd.

(Cost per Wiki: JSOW $282,000 – $719,012 JASSM $700,000)

(Storm Shadow / SCALP Cost per Wiki: €800,000)

(AASM Cost per Wiki / Internet; €200,000 – €360,000)

The difference being that the legacy jets would have to use those weapons, whereas the F-35 has the option, depending on what type of target set it has.

That would be the non stealthy NGJ pod would it?

“There is no focus or investment so far in altering the signature or radar reflectivity of wing-mounted pods that will carry NGJ even though F-35 is a stealthy aircraft.” Capt. John Green, program manager for Airborne Electronic Attack and EA-6B Prowler.

So the non emitting F35 is going to be heading downtown with a hulking great pod under it zapping out trons in every direction jamming with everybody?
How is that emission silent?

First of all the likelihood of omni-directional jamming is roughly nil. The NGJ would be sending the “trons” in narrow, highly directional beams.

In addition your asseration re non reliance on stand off jammers seems to be rather refuted by this:

“The goal of NGJ is to shrink the lethal range of advanced air defenses. The stealthy F-35 will likely fly into those threat rings, the non-stealthy Growler will stay outside.” Jim Bailey, Raytheon’s NGJ capture director.

The F-35 with the jammer would be able to accompany the strikers, and stay much closer in, improving the effectiveness.

As for self escort how much persistence will the dual mission tasked, stealth configeration F35 have in either a2a or a2g?

The individual F-35s would still have EA/ECM functions of their own, combined with their reduced cross sections. I suspect it would have enough persistence to accompany whatever group it was flying with, not to mention other assets that would be available.

It was also designed to have rapid acceleration to combat speeds.