If software does not do what was specified, it does not work.

Congrats, you have just grounded every plane operated in the last 40 years as they all have had and still do have some bugs.

Don’t believe me, go look at the most recent F-18 DOT&E report.

Won in Norway, didn’t it?.

You’re right… Norway not Netherlands.. my bad, still won.

Japan – 2nd choice only, after F-22

Funny, I seen to remember the Superhornet and Eurofighter being part of it… Still won.

Korea – lost to F-15.

Nope.. The bean counters recommended the F-15 on a cost basis and the military (the guys actually making the final decision) said that the extra cost was worth the increased capabilities… still a win.

So, 3 wins

An American F-35B with AIM-132? Are they testing weapons for all partner nations (U.K. I presume in this case) with any available aircraft or rather designated test birds that are American?

Any weapon tested on any F-35 will be certified for use in any nation’s F-35s (model specific).

They all run an identical copy of the software that recognizes what model it’s loaded in (A/B/C) when it boots up.

It’s a baseline requirement. If it can’t fight within visual range it’s a scary proposition as any nations only fighter. There’s enough information out there to suggest that it’s a legitimate point of concern. Alongside an F 22 F 15 or Typhoon to protect it…sure.

Too many people equate “dogfighting” with WVR. They are not the same.

Besides, according to the recent article from the Norwegian F-35 pilot, the F-35 can more than hold its own in a dogfight.

Not likely as everything from radar, avionics, engine, etc is different.

Newsflash: Current contracts do not extend into the FRP phase of production. While your current contracts will not get cancelled, you will not be getting any more.

I’ve seen the pylon ALE-50s before. For the life of me I could have sworn that I saw a tail mounted unit also.

Think of a conformal VLO pod on the wing-station. It would not need a pylon, just the pod on the underside of the wing … think small, detachable version of the PAKFA’s WVR wing station. It would be what, 8 inches tall?

That would be a lot easier to do than doing some kind of permanent installation on the spine.

btw, the Super Hornet’s ALE-55s are also pylon mounted (ie not integral to the plane like teh F-16’s tail mounted units).