Another coupla sites site of some interest from time to time:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsurf/default.aspx

http://www.globalsecurity.org/index.html

To keep up with USN aviation:

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/gonavy/atsugi/index.html

For the UK Royal Navy its official site is quite uesful in general and for most of its surface combatants there is also an individual unit specific news feature.

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/

JSF News

DATE:20/09/05
SOURCE: Flight International
Italy plans mixed fleet of JSFs

Italy has decided to operate a mixed fleet of conventional and short take-off and vertical landing (CTOL/STOVL) Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, says Rear Adm Steven Enewold, JSF programme executive officer, writes Graham Warwick.

Rome had planned to acquire STOVL F-35Bs to replace its Alenia/Embraer AMXs and Boeing AV-8B Harrier IIs, but now plans to acquire a mixed fleet that would also replace some of its Panavia Tornados. The decision could increase Italy’s JSF requirement from 130 aircraft to 200 and strengthen its discussions with the USA on establishing a final-assembly and checkout line.

The UK is also conducting another analysis of the F-35C carrier variant (CV) for operation from its future aircraft carriers, having previously selected the STOVL variant. New US Air Force chief of staff Gen Michael Moseley has meanwhile reconfirmed the service’s interest in the STOVL JSF as well as the CTOL F-35A, says Enewold.

For the UK, Lockheed is studying a rolling vertical landing capability that would allow the STOVL aircraft to return with a heavier load. “If we can get 40-50kt [70-90km/h] lift over the wing we get more bring back,” says Enewold. This could also interest the USAF, which “does not have a vertical landing requirement”. The air force also wants to put an internal gun – currently only in the F-35A – back in the F-35B.

The UK’s analysis of the STOVL and CV variants is tied to a decision next year on the size of its future carriers, but Enewold warns: “The CV is the least mature of the variants. We have provided the best information available, but there is more uncertainty with the CV.” Lockheed has just begun laying out the F-35C’s design and has recently increased wing area by 3.7m2 (40ft2) to cut approach speed.

http://www.flightinternational.c…+JSFs.html

Note from a knowledgeable person I know who says Enewold quoted above thinks thus.:

“Rear Adm Steven Enewold, JSF programme executive officer is not confident of the continuation of the F-35C. “

Now thats discouraging if true.

Indeed some of the article is that way and I knew it.

I did not post it as the official plan but to answer some of your questions. As I thought we had cleared up what the official plan is. Apparently not.

Officially the USMC plans on only buying and operating the STOVL version.

However, the USN has hinted that they may want the USMC to operate the conventional version.

Reading the entire article would clear up some of your perspective.

I disagree on your comparison of Proceedings and Af mag for a variety of reasons. I read both. Among numerous others.

These two links should clear up some of your questions also:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04900.pdf

http://www.fas.org/man/crs/RS21488.pdf

No. Its not “wishful thinking”. Its the official plan. Not hard to look it up.

But with your attitude I wont be providing any links to info. Your on your own.

The plan is to have one USMC squadron in each air wing. Ten total vice the four that are assigned now.

The USMC plans on buying only F-35B. Ergo those are the planes that will be used.

Carrier Air Wings are undergoing major transitions at this time.

Below are the notional/nominal CAW complements for each fleet:

Pacific Fleet

12 F/A 18F
12 F/A 18E
24 F/A 18C(N)
4 EA 6B
4 E 2C
5 SH 60F
2 HH 60H
2 SH 60B

In addition a two plane C 2A detachment is normally present on deployments.

Atlantic Fleet

12 F/A 18F
12 F/A 18E
12 F/A 18C(N)
12 F/A 18C(N)
4 EA 6B
4 E 2C
5 SH 60F
2 HH 60H
8 S 3B

In addition a two plane C 2A detachment is normally present on deployments.

Notes:

More or fewer aircraft may deploy in each individual squadron.**

USS Roosevelt is deployed with approx. 20 F 14D in two squadrons.

Three squadrons have yet to transiton to the F/A 18F. The two mentioned above plus the last F 14B squadron which will begin transition shortly.

Four squadrons remain to transition to the F/A 18E one in FY 2006 and three in FY 2008.

As a result some air wings will not deploy with an F/A 18E squadron and an additional F/A 18C(N) squadron will continue to be included.

Some USN squadrons still fly the F/A 18C and some USMC squadrons still fly the F/A 18A+.

USS Reagan’s air wing presently has two F/A 18E squadrons assigned.

All S 3B aircraft have been withdrawn from Pacific Fleet air wings.

A two helo SH 60B detachment has been added.

**
Example:

USS Nimitz air wing deployed in 2003 with 14 F/A 18F plus one additional HH 60H and one fewer SH 60 F helos.