Tech Refresh 2 does not require fuselage changes. It will most likely be limited to swapping & adding ICP cards, radar modules, etc. This is one area where the F-35 learned from the mistakes of the F-22. With the F-35, they put the architecture in place from the very beginning (fiber interconnects, cooling & power requirements, etc) to upgrade the F-35 through IOC without the need for major hardware changes.

While there are going to be other major structural changes along the way (ribs, spars, etc), they are related to concurrency and not TR2 upgrades. TR2 will also introduce more powerful processor cards. For example, TR1 went from a single GP per card to a quad GP per card setup. Here is what the budget docs say about TR2:

The hardware per aircraft includes new radar modules, new Integrated Core Processor modules and rack, and new electronic warfare modules.

11 Upgrade kits are part of the FY2014 USAF budget (13/16/5 with FY15/16/17). These are for LRIP 2-5 upgrades only as all post FY12 F-35s already have TR2.

When it is time for the Block 3F upgrade, it will be Software only using TR2 hardware.

Video with night landing and night takeoff.

Another View of the night landing and takeoff:

Here is a clue… it’s greater than 370 and less than 372 🙂

Well, there is that 🙂

F-35B makes first landing at sea… at night.

http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/3488/Article/148069/marine-test-pilot-makes-first-f-35b-night-landing-at-sea.aspx

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Lt. Col. C.R. “Jimi” Clift makes the first F-35B Lightning II night landing on USS Wasp during the second at-sea F-35 developmental test event, Aug. 14. The F-35 Integrated Test Force is embarked on the Wasp for three weeks to expand the F-35B operational envelope in preparation for Marine Corps initial operational capability test in 2015. (Photo by MCSN Michael T. Forbes II, U.S. Navy) (Photo by MCSN Michael T. Forbes II)

During the 18-day long ship trials, two F-35Bs will conduct a series of tests to determine the aircraft’s suitability for sea-based operations. Pilots will expand the F-35Bs allowable wind envelope for launch and recovery, conduct first-ever night operations at sea, conduct initial mission systems evaluations at sea, evaluate the dynamic interface associated with aircraft operations on a moving flight deck, and further evaluate shipboard sustainment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

At the conclusion of DT-II, the Navy and Marine Corps team should have sufficient data to support certification for future F-35B Lighting II shipboard operations in anticipation of 2015 deployment.

More at the jump.

Looks like a SUU-11 and the caliber is 7.62 NATO

http://vnfawing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=21217&sid=313e19673110c2e1a0569dbdcf082959

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How’s this for scary? Each of those is not a cluster bomb, but a SUU-11!!! :dev2:

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I wonder if this ever flew & fired? (20mm pods)

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You point to just one side of the coin. The other side is the risc to have a lot of still unproven F-35s. See the F-22A about that. In the end the gains from higher numbers are more than offset by cost to bring that up to the final standard in mind. Smaller customers are well advised not being part of that gamble with small gains but a loft of risc. LM has to restore its reputation first.

There are several indicators that the F-35’s development is faring better than estimated.

1. The F-35 has been keeping below the allotted per-year weight gain in recent years.
2. The USAF was satisfied enough with the capabilities of 3I to use it as an IOC point.
3. Concurrency cost estimates have begun to lower as real costs are discovered.
4. THe first lifetime of stress testing was completed without any major issues.
5. TR2 hardware is in testing.
6. There is a comprehensive, real-value (not 4th gen extrapolation) report if support costs for the F-35 due this fall. Early reports say that costs will be reduced “significantly”.

The SASC reduction is foolhardy due to it wider-than-the-US implications. After all, we are only talking 6 jets. However, it has a ripple effect throughout our Partner nations as the delay in ramp-up will only serve to cause concern and increased costs with our Partners.

There is a lot of info due out within the next 12 months as it relates to the F-35:
1. F-35C Carrier trials to begin.
2. 2nd round of at-sea F-35B trials.
3. TR2 hardware should be airborne.
4. The above mentioned lifetime cost report will be out.
5. Much more info will be known about the helmet fixes.
6. Software schedules will be better understood.

Finally, there is no need to reduce the long lead items. Worst case scenario is that if they decide next year that a delay is warranted, they can spread the already produced LL items over two years of production. However, if their fears are unwarranted, there is no going back to increase the ramp-up. The damage would have already been done.

I don´t really understand how LM can bid for the SK contract if they do not know the production cost of the aircraft over the next few years. SK is not going to accept a contract based on a price that can be increased should rampup be delayed.

All LM & the JPO can do is show SK what the costs are estimated to be based on current numbers. This is why what the SASC is doing is so dangerous. Even if they do not reduce the numbers, just proposing it may cause the South Koreans to weigh negatively the F-35 bid.

Senate Panel Reduces Funding for F-35 Program

Congratulations you retarded whores!

On one had you looked at “potential” risk and on the other you will “guarantee” that:
1. The price of LRIP9 & 10 jets will go up.
2. South Korea will have more reason NOT to pick the F-35, which will raise the cost of ALL F-35s.
3. You will increase the cost of 4th gen SLEP as they will have to stay in service longer.
4. Almost forgot, all LRIP partner jets will also cost more.

There is no reason to delay LL items. You could let them continue and if there are issues to address, do it at the time of airframe orders, not LL.

F-35, another victim of Obamacare.