[QUOTE]And really. they have stated quite clearly where the problem lie: 5gen planes (ANY of them) are much more in need “of finer service” i.e. they not just need more maintenance hour compared to a 4,5 gen but even specifically built tools.[QUOTE]

Of course you have information to support your assertion of “specific tools”, because one of the goals was to reduce the number and different types of tools from legacy aircraft. Maintenance hours ? Sure, I’ll give you that. The F-35 is trending downward but will likely end up higher than the F-16.

No, Turkey is on schedule for delivery of their first aircraft (which will be stationed in US for the foreseeable future). The Senate language may not make it into the final authorization bill. It’s good that the Senate has signaled their concerns. There is still plenty of time for this to either be resolved positively (meaning an improvement in relations) or to remove Turkey from the program. If relations continue to be mutually antagonistic, the Senate opposition is a good reminder that the US does not have to sell Turkey the F-35. The Turks do not have to buy the aircraft either. As of right now, Turkey has been signaling they want to continue as a partner, and DoD seems to support their participation.

My personal opinion is in favor of suspending Turkish participation for the near future. Erdoğan is attempting to bluff the pot with a pair to deuces. Making threats of purchasing aircraft from Russia and hinting of dire consequence if the US does not “play ball” does not inspire confidence in selling high tech weapons to him.

And despite our resident Turkish poster’s touting of these alleged indigenous products, the Turkish defense industry (while growing for sure), is entirely reliant on firms from NATO partner nations (and Israel, but I don’t think they will be doing deals with Turkey anymore for the near future).

It has been suggested that it may have been one of TACAIR’s two Su27s that crashed.

Doubtful, those are two seaters (former Pride Aviation aircraft?), and privately owned (so I doubt a USAF Lt. Col would be flying them) . The ones seen above Groom around the time of the crash were single seat aircraft.
Su-27’s were spotted over NTTR prior to 2009, so there are likely a few Su-27 bouncing around the US (Belarus?).

There hasnt been any more information released about the crash, but considering his position within the 53rd TEG, and the fact that the USAF confirmed that the lost aircraft was assigned to Air Force Material Command, all points to it being foreign.

One last time, why are you looking up Mach 1.8 at 27k feet when it is limited to 750 CAS below crossover altitude, 750 knots CAS. Read the Rafale specifications.
Two, you obviously didn’t cross reference with temp on naca conversion chart. The one I gave you matches perfectly +/- 5 knots with naca. It may say not for use above Mach 1 but probably due to compressibility. It’s accurate. Did you even look at first link? That one basically shows you that your dead wrong, end of story, convert to temp. Scroll down to TAS relationship with Mach. What is Mach 1.5 at 30,000 feet? See? why did early airspeed record attempts always occur in morning when the air is cool and calm?

To be continued, but simply put, you used a crap calculator that does not adjust for pressure/ temp unless you look up international standard day for a given altitude it’s online (should be 217 ish k) I’ve given You all the info you need, use it.

Here try this, a simple google True airspeed Mach 1 30,000 feet. Then use your method of reading conversion chart without temp conversion. It’s right in front of you.

Because TAS is based on pressure and temp 1976 standard day at a given altitude. At sea level Mach 1 is 661 knots, at 30,000 feet it is 589 TAS.

The Rafale has a 100 knot TAS advantage at sea level. 700 KCAS vs 750 (850 vs 950 TAS). TAS and CAS become the same at crossover altitude. Hence why above 30,000 feet the F-35A is Mach limited not CAS limited.

You have to follow the temperature at the top of you graph to convert to TAS. Base temp at 25,000 feet is roughly -50 C international standard day.

I think your trying to compare relative ground speed. Whole new ballgame.
“Your killing me smalls”

I assumed that anyone reading the post would understand what KCAS means. As that is what is used when setting placard limits anyway.

You are (mostly) correct on all above (except CAS/TAS conversion) I assumed posters would understand speed/alt conversion. The crossover from a KCAS to Mach limit is roughly 30,000 feet depending on atmospheric conditions. Obviously an F-35B is reaching Mach 1.6 at a higher altitude (~35k feet I believe)

Testing usually exceeds operational limits by 10% or more for safety margin. Hence F-35 tested to 1.67 Mach, 9.9g. Absolutely. Point is, not an aerodynamic limit.

I would not say it’s an oversimplification because aircraft don’t use ground speed (+- wind) TAS

Edit-,Trident why are you using sea level standard day temp to convert CAS to TAS at different altitudes?

Should be 915 knots vs 970 knots TAS @ 25,000. Difference of 55 knots TAS.