there is another representative … who doesn’t seem to be “properly impressed” by the latest achievements

I am more concerned about his complete lack of fact-checking then his level of impression.

Given that the F-35A just now (with IOC Block 3i jets) can do 7Gs and that Block 3F will allow 9Gs…

It’s instantaneous and sustained scores should also improve.

Nothing got moved.

The terms for IOC are the same that they have been since they were defined back in 2012.

Previous to that date, the program had assumed that Block 3F was needed to achieve IOC. However, nowhere in the IOC goals is a specific Block mentioned, only certain combat capabilities, number of planes, maintenance personnel, etc.

http://breakingdefense.com/documents/services-set-ioc-dates-for-f-35s-confidence-is-the-watchword/

Btw, Since the beginning of the program it was always assumed that the USMC would declare IOC with a Block 2 jet, which they did.

F-35 Aim-9X fired against drone
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2016/08/01/air-force-f-35-hits-drone-with-sidewinder-missile-in-kill-test/

During the same exercise, LeClair fired an AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, carried internally, to take out another drone. This was a miss, however, as the drone target was out of visual range.

Before you think it missed, read the original press release.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/882457/f-35a-completes-first-live-air-to-air-kill-test

Immediately prior to launching the AIM-9X, LeClair employed an internally carried AIM-120C missile against another target drone. This target was beyond visual range and the AIM-120C was given a successful self-destruct signal right before target impact.

And people wonder why many of us have a problem with the press. :very_drunk:

Well… it seems the NAO didn’t do a proper job with its original estimates. Here are numbers from a 1997 Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Keep in mind that the Flyaway cost was based on building 110 F-35As per year. It was changed to 80 in the early 2000’s.

I’m sure that a 28% drop in annual production will have a significant effect on the cost.

Can that image with 760 nm range be traced to LM? I tried but couldn’t find anything online connecting it to actual verifiable LM source.

It’s an official LM doc from:
Gary North
Vice President
Customer Requirements
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

http://www.fisher.org.il/2016/Adir%20Powepoint/GaryNorth.pdf

Yawn….nothing more amusing than LM supporters freaking out. A canadian purchase of f18s is reasonably logical and is a MASSIVE favour to both the USN and Boeing.

The main problem I see in this proposal is that the Libs came to power screaming about the F-35 program due to there not being (in their opinion) a proper & open competition… then they turn around and try to do something even worse, in inferior “interim” buy without the same “open” competition that they claimed was a legal requirement of the F-35.