Dec 13, 2021 06:00:00

The U.S. Air Force is considering a new model to reduce the burden on the problematic stealth fighter 'F-35'

by

Alexander Gorlin

It is attracting attention as a 'next-generation high-performance stealth fighter,' and various problems have been pointed out for the 'F-35, ' which is deployed in the US Air Force, Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. According to experts, the US Air Force has begun to consider introducing a new model to reduce the burden on the F-35.

The Air Force wants a new fighter to fill in for the F-35 --Sandboxx
https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/the-air-force-wants-a-new-fighter-to-fill-in-for-the-f-35/

In 2000, Lockheed Martin's proof-of-concept X-35 , developed under the Joint Strike Fighter Program to replace US and allied fighters and attack aircraft, made its maiden flight. The X-35 also won the competition with Boeing's 'X-32 ', which was developed based on the Joint Strike Fighter Program, and was given the official name 'F-35' and began production in 2006. I did.

The F-35 is as stealth as the F-22, also developed as a fifth-generation jet fighter . Due to delays in development and other factors, the production of the F-22 has been significantly advanced and production has ended, and the manufacturing equipment and supply chain have been diverted to the production of the F-35.

In terms of functionality, the F-35 outperforms the F-22 in many ways, allowing it to capture data feeds from peripheral sensors such as ground equipment, ships, and drones, and integrate all information into the onboard sensors. .. This allows pilots to see the battle space as a single view through a heads-up display or AR headset. Pilots can use the display and onboard cameras to see the 'bottom of the aircraft' even during night flight, and some people see the F-35's tremendous view as a 'game cheat code.' It seems to be likened to.

Alex Hollings, a former U.S. Marine and defense technology analysis expert, admits that the F-35 is a very capable aircraft, but unfortunately the F-35 has both hardware and software. It has been pointed out that there are various problems.

11 problems with the stealth fighter F-35 --GIGAZINE

In addition, the Joint Strike Fighter Program, which triggered the development of the F-35 in the first place, will reduce overall costs by developing a single new fighter that meets the needs of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allies. Was the purpose. Depending on the purpose, the F-35 is the 'F35-A ' used by the US Air Force and allies on conventional runways, the 'F-35B ' with short takeoff distance and vertical landing capability for the US Marine Corps, and folding. It is classified as an 'F35-C ' with formal wings and a more reinforced landing device.

However, after designing the F-35A, Lockheed Martin engineers realized that changing the specifications to the F-35B would make the aircraft heavier than 3,000 pounds (about 1360 kg). In order to solve this problem, the development program was delayed by 18 months, and the cost of the entire program increased by 6.2 billion dollars (about 700 billion yen). However, Hollings points out that this was just the beginning of a number of problems that arose along the F-35's journey.

Even if the problem of the F-35 is solved, the problem of 'cost of operating the F-35' still remains. Due to the need to maintain the latest stealth, the F-35 will cost about $ 44,000 per hour flight, and the latest double-seat fighter F-15EX will cost about $ 44,000 per hour. Compared to 20,000 dollars (about 2.3 million yen), it is more than double. The F-15EX has an operating life of 20,000 hours, while the F-35 has an operating life of 8,000 hours.

From these points, Hollings said, 'In short, the F-35 may be incredibly capable, but at the same time incredibly expensive. It's actually for many US combat operations. By the way, you don't need the advanced capabilities of the F-35. ' The U.S. Air Force is aware of this, and Chief of Staff Charles Brown said in February 2021 that using the F-35 on a relatively low-end mission was 'like commuting on a Ferrari every day.' I said.

It is pointed out that the US Air Force is admitting the stealth fighter F-35, which is also introduced by the Self-Defense Forces, as a 'failure' --GIGAZINE

Therefore, the U.S. Air Force has decided to use a fighter that has higher performance and stealth than the existing F-15 and F-16, but is positioned as a '5th generation minus' or '4.5th generation' at a lower cost than the F-35. He said he was looking for it. Mr. Hollings already has the know-how to manufacture stealth fighters by aircraft manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, and improved the purchasing process based on the failure of the F-35 that started procurement before the test was completed. The Air Force has a good chance of getting a cheaper stealth fighter. The new fighter does not replace the F-35, but plays multiple roles such as air-to-ground operations and securing air superiority, which are costly to execute with the F-35, and the operation of the F-35 per year. It is expected to minimize the rate.

While some experts already consider the F-35 a 'failure,' politicians say the F-35 creates more jobs by expanding parts manufacturing throughout the United States. Hollings points out that it is unlikely to work to stop production of the. Some have described the F-35 program as 'too big to call it a failure,' and even if they seek to introduce a 'fifth-generation minus' jet fighter, the F-35 will be manufactured for some time. Is expected to continue.

by joolsgriff

In addition, since the U.S. Air Force is already promoting the 'Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)' program , which is a 6th generation jet fighter, there is a possibility that a prototype will appear in the near future, Mr. Hollings said. Said.