22 Comments

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  by Chuck Medicus 1 year ago

  Living and working in Palmdale I had a opportunity to see the F22 STOVL and the F35, at least flying is similar what is in the cockpit must be fantastic.
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  by Mike LaBelle 1 year ago

  F-22 STOVL ?? what are you talking about? From what I can remember the F-22 is the Raptor fighter aircraft and is NOT STOVL capable.
  
  The only STOVL Aircraft in production and testing is the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF-(lightning II-JSF)
  Now Boeing had a test bed that was denoted as the X32-A for CTOL and CV capabilities and then the X32-B was to be used to explore the STOVL realm.
  
  
  So I am at a loss as to what aircraft you are referring to?
  
  Taz
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  by Adrian Orchard 1 year ago

  Gosh Mike (or is it Taz, I'm at a loss as to what name you're referring to?)
  
  Maybe Chuck just made a simple transposition error - we call them 'mistakes' - as I'm sure if you give him the benefit of the doubt he meant "...the F-35 STOVL and the F-22..."
  
  Good grief....
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  by ernest knapp 1 year ago

  I'm a retired USAF aircraft mechanic. I saw the harrier when I was stationed in Japan and really thought that was terrific. The F-35 seems so further advanced. My only Question is the hours to maintain it?
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  by Nathan Bailey 1 year ago

  That is cool, I'm in the Airforce stationed in Boise, ID. and my unit has been talking about getting the F-35 and becoming a flight training base for the F-35.
  Ernest, they say that the F-35 has four different sections made and desined by four different countries so I imagine that it take a lot to maintain it.
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  by H James Martin 1 year ago

  Fantastic, Great Job!!
  
  H James Martin, Vietnam Vet, Disabled "Go Air force."
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  by T. Scofield 1 year ago

  air force will benefit, but "Go ingenuity" specifically, Lockheed Martin
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  by James Thompson 1 year ago

  I worked at Lockheed here in Palmdale from 1997 - 2000 and was on the project to build the two concept/demonstrator F35s. I actually got stuck in one of the roll ducts when I tried to exit out the wing. What an awsome airplane.
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  by Robert Edwards 1 year ago

  The F-35B is truly a magnificent aircraft and a credit to the design engineers and computer technologists at lockheed Martin. In the video John Beasley draws a comparison to the BAE Harrier which is somewhat misleading as the Harrier was developed in the 1960's and was the first successful V/STOL aircraft to be produced. The difference being is that the Harrier was a purely mechanical aircraft that had to be fully controlled by a pilot at all times and the pilots needed to develop special skills to operate, at the tme, this new type of aircraft. With the recent development of fly by wire and computer technology in aircraft, pilots have had to develop new skills which are relevent to the 21st century, however the bravery and courage of pilots never changes no matter which century we are living in.
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  by Bruce Gordon 1 year ago

  The F-35B is for the Marine Corps only. Most F-35s are like the Air Force version which deletes the vertical component and uses the space and weight for more fuel, giving much longer range. Cancellation of F-22 production means that we are relying completely on the F-35 for the future of our fighters. The F-35 is intended to be much cheaper than the F-22 and we plan to sell thousands of them to our allies. It sounds like a decision based on the budget, rather than on the best airplane.
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  by Bill Jackson 1 year ago

  The limitations of VTOL aircraft is usually low combat loads and short operating ranges. Air refueling can handle the range; what about loads? We've had our share of gee wizz airplanes that can take off and land but can't go any where or do anything. I hope this is not another one!!!
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  by Ed Kostiuk 1 year ago

  This is great. It will allow the Marine Air/Combat Task Force (known as MAGTF) to operate with its deployed project forces and have the ability to move ashore with sufficient cover for the ground troops. As the Corps has seen over the past several years our prolonged operations have had a broad spectrum of response needs. This aircraft will be one more tool for the field commanders to utilize for the protection of our troops. Selective, timely and credible commitments of the air-ground combination have helped bring early stability to a region. As a retired Marine this aircraft will benefit those young Marines and their mission. Semper Fi to both the Corps and to LockheedMartin for designing a fine aircraft. To the young pilots still in High School and college this is your future enjoy it.
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  by C. Wright 1 year ago

  The F-35 is exciting, especially in light of the ability to protect our troops and our country. I live near a base that is potentially due to receive up to 8 squadrons of the new F35-B. We are proud of our military and especially of MCAS Cherry Point. Can anyone who has had personal experience with the current F35-A or the F35-B version share a little about the differences that one might expect to encounter as to flying altitude or noise levels compared to the Harrier and other planes the F-35-B will be replacing.
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  by Don Cahllans 1 year ago

  Looking at this one aircraft is like looking at the F-22. It is one smooth aircraft. I wish the aircraft technology system luck on keeping up with technology we have todty.
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  by TOM FRIEDRICH 1 year ago

  Great machines but so expensive. Can we risk one in an AK 47/RPG environment?
  How often can a newly commissioned aviator fly them?I know--flight simulators,great for procedures training,but they just don't teach the science of aviation. How many ground personnel will it take to keep them flying? Where will they sleep and eat? What is the size of the logistics train?
  I share Chuck Yeager and Robin Olds ideas about placeing first tour pilots in simple day fighters that they can afford to fly,and fly to the limit, often.
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  by Steve Gilchrist 1 year ago

  Right on point, Tom.
  
  The JSF is our "cheap" fighter, yet it is so expensive we can't afford to lose it in combat.
  
  IMHO we need a third capable yet inexpensive day fighter for first tour pilots so they can learn not only the science of flying but get the art and alchemy part of it as well. Experience is necessary for this plane because it is such expensive equipment.
  
  No stealth plane should be flown in combat by day over land, precisely because of the 'lucky shot' problem. So night certification is a must for JSF pilots.
  
  Sounds like the F-16 just got a new lease on life, doesn't it?
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  by Russell Sales 1 year ago

  Canada has tasked to buy at least 67 of the F35s without any prebiding by any other contractor as it stands there is a big political battle over this. My question is what are the pros and cons with this craft over the F18 super hornet.
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  by Bill Stickers 1 year ago

  Australia just retired its F111s and replaced them with the F18 Super Hornet, a so called 'stopgap' measure till it gets its F35 JSF aircraft. Just north of us, our neighbours have Su T10 Flanker variants, with the Su 35S on order. The AusAirPower site suggests Australia's made a poor decision, particularily with the PAK FA due within the next 10 years. Comments?
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  by Mike LaBelle 1 year ago

  Don't know Adrian, And it is my right as part of the constitution to free speech to correct someone's mistake, be it intentional or an error.
  
  As stated there was no F22 STOVL, whether transposed or not a mistake plain and simple.
  
  Good Grief..
  
  And my handle is Taz, so if you cannot read what my name is at the top of the post, maybe glasses are called for? LOL
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  by Dick Albright 1 year ago

  He must be thinking V-22 Osprey (VTOL, SVTOL). There was a MAG at Edwards also. Thanks to MAJGEN Doug Pearson (former AFFTC CO) for carrying on the F-35. As F-22 is Mach 1 plus, so is F-35B. Harrier subsonic. Big delta. More to R&D in air combat vehicles to consider than $'s or unit losses--B-2, F-117, etc. Check the crumbled Berlin Wall. The tech beat goes on.
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  by john stiles 3 months ago

  A great aircraft no doubt about it! Question: Whats with all the different flags?
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  by Bill Ewing 3 months ago

  A cannot understand why the twin engined F-22 wasn't named "Lightning II" and the single engined F-35 maned the "Mustang II?"
  
  Makes sense to me.
  
  Sadly there is a lot of lost history out here.
  
  My uncle was the first P-38 Wing (then Group) Commander at Langley (First Fighter [FF]) back in the early '40s.
  
  Though not a pilot, I truly enjoy your site.
  
  Willik, MSG USAF (Ret)