Lockheed Martin Selects Raytheon To Deliver Next Generation F-35 Sensor System

The Raytheon-built DAS will be integrated into F-35 aircraft starting with Lot 15 aircraft, expected to begin deliveries in 2023. The next generation DAS system is estimated to generate the following results compared to the current system:

More than $3 billion in life cycle cost savings
Approximately 45 percent reduction in unit recurring cost
Greater than 50 percent reduction in operations and sustainment cost
5 times more reliability
2 times performance capability improvement
The new system will also indirectly benefit aircraft readiness and service manpower requirements

More at the jump

https://www.f35.com/news/detail/lockheed-martin-selects-raytheon-to-deliver-next-generation-f-35-sensor-sys?linkId=100000002750882

The Hellfire is a HEAT round

My point was that by adding a frag sleeve, they were able to give the Hellfire good blast/frag performance without having to do major redesign. I am not saying that this is what IMI did, just one posability to solving the need.

This is the most detailed description that I could find.

The most basic input into the model is the touch labor actuals and percent complete by tail
number received from the contractor. Touch labor actuals represent the sum of actual touch
labor hours spent assembling a specific jet as recorded by the contractor. The fidelity of the
estimate is dependent upon receiving actuals which are accurate and complete. Also, worth
noting is a discussion of standard work expected and planned to occur on a given jet. Standard
work is essentially planned work on the jet and the given amount of time to accomplish that
work. Non‐standard work in theory captures all work that is not standard. This could include
time spent repairing damaged parts, scrap, re‐working errors or any amount of hours spent on
unexpected tasks in the manufacturing process.

Touch Labor Estimate Modeling — Extrapolation Of Actuals
http://www.iceaaonline.com/ready/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ET-2_Paper_TouchLaborEstimateModeling_Davis.pdf

ALE-70 is a transmit-only towed decoy. Basically the ASQ-239 gathers relevant data from it’s own apertures, the APG-81, and the CNI. The ASQ-239 analyzes & generates a waveform which is transmitted to the ALE-70 via fiber-optic cable where the waveform is physically generated (in a full 360).

The question is if they wanted ASQ-239 to be an active system (outside of APG-81/ALE-70).

I remember seeing a jpg of a magazine from 15+ years ago where a BAE rep was giving an interview. It specifically stated that BAE designed the system with space in the wing/tail apertures to install active elements if the customer requested it. He declined to state if the customer exercised that option.

House eyes major boost in F-35 jet purchases

The House Appropriations Committee released a draft version of its annual defense bill Wednesday that provides $9.4 billion for 93 of the high-tech Lockheed Martin aircraft, which is 16 more than the 77 requested by the military.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/house-eyes-major-boost-in-f-35-jet-purchases

Drum roll please…………..

The Belgian Air Component’s fighter jets replacement program (ACCaP) accelerates again, after having definitively closed the so-called “F-16 gate”. According to the Belgian Defense Ministry spokesperson, the Minister Steven Vandeput is writing the final note which should announce the winner of a hard-fought competition.

Vandeput is now “preparing the note that he will present during a future Council of ministers, but I will not say which one to not set a deadline,” said on Friday the spokesperson to the French-speaking newspaper Le Soir. Another real sign confirming the Defense Minister willingness to complete the RfGP phase before the NATO summit in early July, as requested by the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel. So there are five Council of ministers left before the summit, which will be held on July 11-12 in Brussels.

The 33 experts in charge of studying the two official Governmental proposals received to date, the Lockheed Martin F-35 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, have completed their assessment. The country’s Inspectorate of Finances, responsible for evaluating the ACCaP financial aspect, also concluded its final statement.

This announcement comes a few weeks after France finally detailed its “comprehensive and structuring partnership,” which clearly received a negative welcome from the Belgian military. This meeting, planned “at the request of the Prime Minister,” did not suggested anything new in regards to the letter received on September 2017, the Ministry’s spokesperson stated. “There is nothing more concrete,” she added.

On the basis of the two offers considered as legally valid, and probably the French “proposal”, the ACCaP pool must now send a final recommendation to the Defense Minister. The complete report, along with the economic aspects, will then be submitted to the federal government.

http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/june/4308-accap-program-belgian-defense-minister-final-decision-imminent.html