Chickenboy
Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline
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ORIGINAL: Apollo11
Hi all,
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ORIGINAL: Mynok
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ORIGINAL: Terminus
Good Grief, we can't build ANYTHING any more in the Western World...
We have followed in the idiotic footsteps of the WWII German military in over-engineering things instead of making solid, reliable equipment that is easy to maintain.
Unfortunately the (possible) serious opponents will always have more men and more equipment (albeit simpler) than us (i.e. NATO)... there is no other way to counter superior numbers than with superior quality (of both equipment and men)...
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ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
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ORIGINAL: USS America
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ORIGINAL: Apollo11
Hmm... 
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Undisclosed Problems with F-35 Fighters Surface in Pentagon Report
By Shane McGlaun
DailyTech
Jets have significant issues with engines and other componnets
The F-35 Lightning II program can't win for losing. The long running issues with the aircraft have been well documented and have led to delays in the program. Many of the flight issues with the F-35 have centered on the more mechanically complex F-35B STOVL version of the fighter aircraft. A new report has surfaced that highlights some previously unknown problems with the F-35 program.
According to a report compiled by the Pentagon Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=5484169&c=AME&s=AIR), the F-35 aircraft all suffer from various problems with handling, avionics, afterburner, and the helmet-mounted display systems. The F-35A and F-35B variants are specifically said to suffer from "transonic wing roll-off, [and] greater than expected sideslip during medium angle-of-attack testing" according to the report. The report also notes that many of the components being used in the aircraft are not as reliable as expected.
The F-35B has had various issues with subcomponents in the past, specifically the ones that allow the door behind the cockpit to open so the aircraft can get the air needed for vertical landing. The F-35B has made successful vertical landings recently.
One key problem that is common on the aircraft is an issue described as afterburner "screech" reports Defense News. Apparently, the F-135 engine provided by Pratt and Whitney has a problem where airflow causes severe vibrations that prevent the engine from reaching maximum power.
The helmet-mounted display system in the aircraft is also having issues, but the report doesn't delve into this exact problems. The F-35 has no traditional heads-up display like other aircraft flying today - all pilot data is on a display inside the helmet.
Lockheed martin spokesman John Kent said, "The F-35 air system advances Helmet Mounted Display technology to capabilities not flying today on any other tactical platform. With this advancement in technology come challenges that the program is actively managing. The challenges are being worked with the supplier." Kent goes on to say, "While there are no current plans to change suppliers, options are being considered in parallel that mitigate the most stressing issues. Flight testing is proceeding with the HMD installed and used with no safety of flight concerns."
The report also mentions an issue with the aircraft’s onboard inert Gas Generation System that helps prevent oxygen from building up inside the fuel tanks where it becomes a fire hazard. The report recommends a redesign for the system.
None of this will prevent the aircraft from going into service, and likely being a very capable system. All it means is more delays and many more $$$$$$.
I'm with Mike on this.
Leo-if you pay attention to 'press releases' about recent equipment production, you'll always be able to find these. I'm not too young to remember 60 minutes' 'expose' on how the Bradley fighting vehicle was a flammable deathtrap, the M1 Abrams a totally inferior battlefield implement or the Stryker a horrendous time and money suck. Usually these systems get worked out to most people's satisfaction, these are just initial (usually overblown) teething problems.
I sincerely hope you are right...
BTW, the original M2 Bradley and M1 Abrams were not as great machines as they are now (although much can be said about M2 Bradley even now)!
Leo "Apollo11"
Compared to 'simpler' machines like the BTR or the BMP? I'd certainly opt for the M2 or Stryker, thank you very much! True-they may be much more expensive, but I'll trade the $ for safety / surviveability / redundancy.
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