Preparing the F-35B for HMS Queen Elizabeth: Ski Jump Testing

06/24/2015
2015-06-24  The ski jump is a feature on UK warships which have operated the Harrier and will operate the F-35B. The joint UK-US test team at Pax River has recently completed the first test of the ski jump for the F-35B. In the photos below, there are three shots of…

Pax River Integrated Test Team Tests Paveway IV Weapons Separation from F-35B

06/20/2015
2015-06-20 We have written earlier about UK-US collaboration on the launch of the F-35 global enterprise. This has recently been most visible with regard to F-35B shipboard integration operational tests aboard the USS WASP. https://www.sldinfo.com/the-uk-engagement-with-the-uss-wasp-f-35b-opertional-tests/ https://www.sldinfo.com/aboard-the-uss-wasp-participants-in-operational-testing-provide-a-progress-report/ https://www.sldinfo.com/the-new-uk-aircraft-carrier-reshaping-the-royal-navy-and-the-royal-air-force/ https://www.sldinfo.com/its-in-the-hands-of-professionals-aboard-the-uss-wasp-for-the-f-35-operational-tests/ The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force from Air Test…

The Paris Air Show and the Future of Military Aviation

06/20/2015
2015-06-15 By Robbin Laird The Paris Air Show is dominated by the commercial sector which in terms of market and money is clearly the more important. However, if national survival is at stake, it is not the most important market or consideration. As the world meets in Paris in 2015,…

Air Refueling of F-35s

06/19/2015
2015-06-19  F-35′s from the 56th Fighter Wing are seen with two KC-135′s for an aerial refueling mission over Arizona. Credit Video: 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 6/5/15 And the perspective from MCAS Beaufort: Fueling a fighter jet mid-mission isn’t as easy as exiting a highway to top off your tank. It’s really…

An Update on Italian F-35s

06/19/2015
2015-06-19  Our partner, Rivista Italiana Difesa, recently provided an update on the F-35s for Italy. [caption id="attachment_75658" align="alignnone" width="300"] The first Italian F-35 leaves the factory at Cameri in March 2015.  [/caption] At the Le Bourget Air Show, RID had the opportunity to obtain some exclusive information. Lockheed Martin is…

Preparing to Operate Off of the HMS Queen Elizabeth: Working with the Marines at VFMAT-501

06/15/2015
2015-06-10 By Robbin Laird and Murielle Delaporte During a visit to the 31st Marine Air Group, we visited VFMAT-501, the Warlords and met with the CO of the Squadron “OD” Bachman, Major Brian Bann and Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols from the Royal Air Force. In separate pieces, we are publishing…