First F-35C Production Model Takes Flight

02/16/2013
According to a Lockheed Martin Press release: FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 15, 2013 [caption id="attachment_50938" align="alignnone" width="300"] CF-6 First Flight Photo by Angel DelCueto Carroll Credit: Lockheed Martin[/caption] The first Lockheed Martin production model F-35C carrier variant, known as CF-6, flew its first sortie Thursday. Upon delivery later this year,…

The Italian F-35 FACO: A Key Asset in the Global F-35 Support System

12/05/2012
2012-12-05 We have written often about allies and their role in the F-35 program.  We have also written about the unique aspects of the impact of the F-35 as a fleet of aircraft.  And we have brought the two together in a discussion of evolving Pacific strategy and the potential…

Shaping a New Approach to Combat Learning: The Role of the F-35

11/30/2012
2012-11-30 by Robbin Laird Ed Timperlake has pioneered work on how to understand the entire approach to re-thinking what the new generation of combat air is really all about.  To capture the difference between his generation of aircraft and the F-35, Timperlake has focused on what he calls the Z-axis and…

Shaping F-35 Production Maturity: A Dialogue with Dr. Don Kinard

11/30/2012
2012-11-30 Earlier Second Line of Defense had a wide-ranging discussion with Don Kinard of Lockheed Martin, one of the best production specialists in the aviation business today. In that conversation we focused on the approach to building wings for the F-35. https://www.sldinfo.com/the-f-35a-lands-at-eglin-what-does-that-say-about-the-current-state-of-production/ https://www.sldinfo.com/an-update-on-f-35-manufacturing-the-case-of-wing-assembly/ In our most recent visit to the F-35…

The Impact of the USS America on USMC Operations: “A MAGTF ACE on Steroids”

11/21/2012
2012-11-21 In a four-part follow up set of interviews, Second Line of Defense is looking at the role and impact of the USS America. Interviews have been conducted with the prospective commander of the ship, the head of amphibious ship building in the USN, a senior USMC general on its role,…

The F-35 and High Angle of Attack Flight Testing

11/19/2012
2012-11-19 According to a Lockheed Martin Press Release: An F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft rapidly expanded its high angle of attack (AOA) test envelope to its 50 degree limit in only four flights during recent flight testing here. F-35A test aircraft are limited to AOAs of…