Hornets as well as Tigers. The National Armaments Director Martin Sonderegger as well as the Swiss F-35A Program Manager Darko Savic authorized the agreement at Armasuisse in Bern, while the United States authorities have actually currently authorized the agreement. The purchase, which exists within the restrictions of the optimum economic quantity accepted by the Swiss body politic, will certainly additionally cover objective certain devices, tools as well as ammo, a logistics bundle, objective preparation systems, training systems as well as first training, in addition to the assimilation right into the Swiss command and also control system.
The federal government claimed that the 2 nations have actually worked out a particular stipulation as well as authorized a different affirmation which develops the set cost nature of the arrangement. At the very same time, the head of Air2030, Peter Winter, as well as the F-35 Program Manager, Darko Savic, authorized the countered arrangement with Lockheed Martin that will certainly enable Swiss firms to obtain agreements with a quantity of around 3 billion USD.
The Swiss Federal Council based its choice on the comprehensive technological analysis, that included 4 prospects for a brand-new boxer airplane (Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Boeing Super Hornet as well as the Lockheed Martin F-35) as well as the F-35 accomplished the greatest total advantage as well as at the exact same time the most affordable general expenses. You can discover all the information concerning the metrics utilized to assess all the challengers in this record we published in 2015.
The Swiss Air Force has actually likewise revealed on Mar. 24, 2022, that Switzerland has actually concerned an arrangement with the United States federal government as well as has actually specified that as much as 28 of the 36 airplane in overall will certainly be generated in Italy by the Leonardo business. That indicates at the very least 24 airplane will certainly be made in Italy. For 4 airplane, Lockheed Martin, as the supplier of the F-35A, is presently making clear whether they can be ultimately constructed as component of a balanced out task at RUAG in Switzerland; if this is not feasible, they will certainly additionally be created in Cameri.
About Stefano D’Urso Stefano D’Urso is an independent reporter as well as factor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A grad in Industral Engineering he’s additionally examining to accomplish a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions as well as OSINT strategies put on the globe of present problems as well as army procedures are amongst his locations of know-how.
U.S Air Force Captain Kristin” BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team Commander, flies throughout a demo at the Oregon International Airshow in McMinnville, Ore., Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Air National Guard image by Master Sgt. John Winn)The alloy is utilized by a professional to make magnets for Honeywell’s turbomachine pumps. The Pentagon has actually temporally quit F-35 distributions after authorities uncovered that an alloy made use of in magnets on the jet’s turbomachine pumps was created in China. The Defense Contract Management Agency initially informed the F-35 Joint Program Office concerning the possible trouble on August 19, prior to both accepted put on hold the
distributions on Aug. 31, 2022. The F-35 program workplace”momentarily stopped the approval of brand-new F-35 airplane to make sure the F-35 program’s conformity” with protection laws “referring to specialized steels,” stated Defense Department representative Russell Goemaere in a declaration. He additionally included the time out will not disrupt procedures of F-35s currently provided due to the fact that “the magnet does not send details or damage the stability of the airplane and also there are no efficiency, top quality, safety and security or safety and security threats related to this concern.”
The factor behind the requirement for the suspension is a U.S. legislation as well as a different Pentagon purchase guideline that restrict using particular specialized steels or alloys created by details nations detailed in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation collection, which are China, Iran, North Korea and also Russia. The alloy concerned is a cobalt as well as samarium alloy “lately figured out to be generated in individuals’s Republic of China” as well as allured in the United States, according to the F-35 JPO.
The alloy is utilized in a magnet included in a Honeywell turbomachine that incorporates the airplane’s supporting power system as well as an air cycle device right into a solitary tool, which that gives power for ground upkeep, primary engine start-up and also emergency situation power. The magnet was given by a “fifth-tier” subcontractor to the produced of the lube pump, which consequently provides it to Honeywell.
“Honeywell has actually quit working with the distributor offering alloy, and also a different U.S. resource is currently on order with expected shipment following month,” stated Lockheed Martin spokesperson Laura Siebert. every one of the even more than 825 F-35 competitor jets supplied Much include the magnet made with the restricted Chinese alloy. The element has actually been utilized in the 5th gen airplane considering that 2003.
The F-35 will certainly currently require a nationwide safety and security waiver from the Pentagon’s leading purchase authorities, William LaPlante, to return to distributions of currently put together airplane consisting of the banned alloy. Something comparable currently took place a years earlier, when the Pentagon gave a waiver to Honeywell to utilize Chinese magnets in various other F-35 parts to avoid brand-new hold-ups as well as expense overruns. The F-35 JPO does not prepare for changing the magnets in the airplane currently supplied.
About Stefano D’Urso Stefano D’Urso is a self-employed reporter and also factor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A grad in Industral Engineering he’s additionally researching to accomplish a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions as well as OSINT methods put on the globe of existing problems and also armed forces procedures are amongst his locations of proficiency.
sojuszniczego nieba zna cały świat.Z okazji Święta Lotnictwa dziękuję Wam za służbę.Realizacja tych zadań wymaga nowoczesnych samolotów i dlatego w przyszłym roku FA50 trafią do #MińskMazowiecki, bazą F35 będą #Łask #Świdwin pic.twitter.com/uS3rqOSxQd– Mariusz Błaszczak(@mblaszczak)August 26, 2022 In contrast to countless reports recommending that Poland obtained rid of its MiG-29 jets, it appears that these airplanes are still to life and also kicking. The Other Day(Aug.
25. )NATO Aircom released images of joint training with the Italian Typhoons, additionally illustrating the Polish Fulcrums. The Polish Fulcrums live as well as kicking, as opposed to the basic reports duplicated occasionally, on them having actually been handed off to Ukraine. https://t.co/4eNmpFvFXJ– Jacek Siminski (@JacekSiminskiAV )August 26, 2022 The photo launched by NATO illustrates among the updated Polish MiG-29s in the particular light-gray color pattern. The troubles with spares accumulate as well as supply, in the wake of assents enforced on the producer nation– Russia– make it difficult to forecast just how lengthy this standing quo can be preserved. Noteworthy, the Bulgarians have actually been formally reporting on problems in engine upkeep
. Maybe theorized that these issues issue every one of the NATO Fulcrum individual team. For the document: the Italian Typhoons released to the Polish Malbork Abdominal( EPMB )in very early
August to guard the NATO airspace in the Baltic area. The jets come from the 4th, 36th, 37th, as well as 51st Wings of the Italian Air Force. Noteworthy, it is yet an additional participation of the Malbork abdominal in the boosted NATO Air Policing plan in the Baltics. Since 2014 and also 2015, the base was organizing NATO properties in reaction to the Russian Invasion of Crimea. Portuguesa and also Turkish F-16s had actually made use of the EPMB centers prior to.
About Jacek Siminski Standing factor for TheAviationist. Air travel photographer. Founder of DefensePhoto.com. Professional in grammars, Cold War discussion, Cold War background as well as plan and also media interactions.
The arrival of the very first U.S. Navy F-35C to check out Michigan at the Field of Flight Airshow in Battle Creek. The airplane’s larger, dual-nosewheel touchdown equipment appears in this image.(All pictures credit rating: TheAviationist/Tom Demerly)Two F-35 Demo Teams Showcase as well as Contrast Roles and also Capabilities of Joint Strike Fighter. You obtain to see one or 2 air travel firsts in your life time if you’re fortunate. At the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow on July 2-3, 2022, aeronautics lovers reached see 2. The Field of Flight Airshow at Battle Creek Executive Airport, Kellogg Field, in Battle Creek was the very first time the U.S. Navy’s F-35C Demo Team flew at a Michigan airshow. A lot more considerably, it was the very first time both the U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo Team and also the Navy’s F-35C Demo Team flew at the very same program. Both Joint Strike Fighter demonstration groups highlighted the distinctions in between the Navy and also Air Force variations of the F-35 as well as exactly how their special abilities as well as teams enhance each various other.: Two U.S. Navy F-35Cs got here on Friday at the Field of Flight Airshow in Battle Creek, Michigan, making this the opening night of the F-35C in Michigan and also the very first time the F-35A as well as F-35C has actually flown with each other at an airshow.
The merging of both demo groups offered a beneficial understanding right into the progression of the total Joint Strike Fighter program. This first-ever conference of the F-35 demonstrations likewise showcased the inter-service capacities of the Joint Strike Fighter program.
And, it was a possibility for air travel followers to see 2 magnificent trip demos in spite of the termination of Saturday’s flying as a result of a terrible mishap that asserted the life of U.S. airshow entertainer Chris Darnell in the collision of the Shockwave Jet Truck.
The timing for this double-demo was excellent. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter initially flew 15 years back in December, 2006. The initial functional F-35s were released 9 years later on with the U.S. Marines in July of 2015. The program ended up being a lightning arrester of objection and also financial worry throughout the very first years of screening as well as combination right into functional solution. Much of the mainstream reporting regarding the program was inadequately educated and also greatly prejudiced as prices intensified as well as routines were extended. Throughout this moment, the public had trouble realizing the capacities of the program, a lot of which are complicated, difficulty historic battle airplane standards or continue to be classified.
According to Senior National Security Business Correspondent Lauren Thompson of Forbes, as well as F-35 prime service provider Lockheed Martin, a September 2021 record stated that the F-35 program, “… anticipates to lower its part of the boxer’s expense per trip hr by 40% over the following 5 years, which would certainly follow a comparable decrease over the previous 5 years”.
In addition, device price of the F-35 has actually dropped continually for many years, although this fad in per-aircraft expense decreases is anticipated to level off in coming years.
In a February 19, 2021 post by Defense Analyst as well as Correspondent John Tirpak in Airforcemag.com, Tirpak reported that, “In the Lot 12, 13 as well as 14 bargain, introduced in October 2019, there were 478 airplane, and also Lockheed’s system rate for the F-35A design dropped listed below $80 million each for the very first time. The Lot 12-14 agreement lowered F-35 system costs almost 13 percent over the previous whole lots, and also noted the 6th succeeding year of system rate decreases.”
Tirpak’s short article took place to estimate Lockheed Martin Vice-President of Aeronautics, Gregory M. Ulmer, as stating, “We’re functioning to maintain a cost-neutral setting for the following manufacturing great deals”. Ulmer as well as Tirpak pointed out the brand-new “Tech Refresh 3”, that Tirpak composes will certainly consist of, “updated software program, enhanced core cpu, [and also] brand-new cabin display screen” as aspects for a leveling-off of price decreases in the F-35 program. Lockheed V.P. Ulmer informed Tirpak that, “We’re functioning to maintain a cost-neutral placement” for the following manufacturing great deals.
Also though the at first questionable F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has actually appreciated considerable financial and also functional battle successes, several experts still have a tough time recognizing the success of the F-35 program, also after a years of strong developments.
“A years earlier was a long period of time earlier,” USAF Major Kristin “BEO” Wolfe informed TheAviationist.com in Battle Creek this weekend break.
Maj. Wolfe took place to state, “Obviously, any kind of program is mosting likely to have its objections beforehand as well as experience its various sorts of battles. Particularly being multi-service, global, you’ve obtained a great deal of hands in the pot attempting to make one solitary plane that make it suitable for everyone.”
U.S Navy F-35C trainer and also demonstration pilot, LTCR. Daniel “Jiggle” Slater, informed TheAviationist.com, “When it pertains to the inter-service part of it, it is wonderful to have a great deal of components commonness. Regarding the layout goes, we assume that the ‘C’ version’s obtained a wonderful system for the Navy with its huge wing, as well as can lug lots of gas. As Navy pilots, we like that. It offers us a whole lot extra tactical gas prior to we need to go max endurance as well as land back on the ship. The F-35’s doing a wonderful task for us until now.”
Slater, that has actually flown catapult launches from warship in the Navy’s big-winged F-35C design, informed TheAviationist.com that very early objections regarding the front touchdown equipment bobbing throughout catapult released were, “Not truly a huge trouble. They changed the [nose touchdown equipment] damping a little bit”.
Marine and also international F-35 drivers like Israel have real-world fight experience in the airplane.”The armada at Hill [AFB] was currently released. An armada simply returned from an additional AOR( Area Of Responsibility ). We’re full-up, all set to go, flying fight planes. These are fight planes that have actually gotten on release,”Maj. Wolfe claimed. When asked if the media and also public still has trouble comprehending the abilities of the F-35, Maj. Wolfe claimed:”Probably. There’s things that you do not see around. Like, you hardly see that we had an armada in Spangdahlem [Air Base, Germany]
, or currently we have an armada in Guam. That truly does not make it bent on the media. No one [in media] truly recognizes what they’re doing available. I can inform you they’re doing their objective that they educated to do-both in Europe as well as in Asia. It’s extremely hush-hush. In some cases that makes individuals a little cynical. “< img data-attachment-id="79981 "data-permalink=" https://theaviationist.com/2022/07/04/f-35a-f-35c-display-same-airshow/jointf35demo_50/"data-orig-file= "https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/JointF35Demo_50.jpg"data-orig-size="
confirm” the monetary situation for the joint-service F-111. McNamara had not been a boxer pilot. He was an accounting professional. Which might have been a consider the F-111’s very early issues. The F-111 program began the heels of recurring success with the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II, a famous multi-mission battle airplane that at some point offered with every U.S. air arm and also the flying force and also navies of nations worldwide with definite success. 2 flying force, Iran as well as Greece, remain to utilize the multi-mission, multi-service F-4 Phantom II today, making it the initial “Joint Strike Fighter”. McNamara’s F-111 one-aircraft-fits-all monetary idea satisfied with functional catastrophe.
The F-111 never ever did make it right into functional solution with the U.S. Navy. The preliminary implementation of Air Force F-111s to Vietnam was a catastrophe. In March as well as April, 1968, 3 F-111s were shed in Vietnam, likely because of consistent trip control issues. 4 years later on in 1974, after upgrades, the F-111 went back to Vietnam where it did have significant functional success in the later phases of the dispute.
The Navy took place to create its very own airplane with Grumman, the F-14 Tomcat, which was developed as a fleet-defense interceptor. The F-14 did complete its functional solution as a strike airplane nonetheless, nicknamed the “Bombcat”. For the F-35 program, the very first ever before dual-appearance of 2 functional Joint Strike Fighter demonstration groups at one airshow was a watershed minute. And also while, specifically with the F-35 program, the abilities aren’t around aerobatics as well as trip trials, simply the regularity of seeing F-35s flying remarkably in the airshow box has actually moved public assumption in some circles.” Now we’re completely rotated up doing 25 reveals a year,”Major Kristin”BEO”Wolfe informed TheAviationist.com.”Everywhere we go-we have not been way too many locations two times-we see individuals that have actually never ever seen the aircraft fly. They state,’Wow! I did not recognize it can do that!’, even if they‘re reviewing all
the posts and also it’s extremely difficult to inform individuals it’s a really qualified plane. We can not also flaunt whatever in an airshow atmosphere that we in fact do tactically. It’s sort of the crowd-pleasers [at the airshows] versus the battle abilities.”As well as despite the fact that both the Navy and also the Air Force F-35s remain to collect airshow followers with their broadening routine of demonstrations, as Maj. Wolfe
claims, the F-35’s real-world battle capacities are not around airshow efficiencies. They ‘re concerning real-worldbattle, something the F-35 has actually done extremely well at thus far throughout all the solutions. The U.S. Navy F-35Cs made a remarkable entryway in damp, cloudy problems to generate some absolutely amazing visuals with huge vapor cloud shock cones. The Aviationist many thanks Mr. Bretten Bailey and also the whole media group at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow in addition to the U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo Team as well as the U.S. Navy F-35C Demo Team for their kind aid and also gain access to for this record. About Tom Demerly Tom Demerly is a function author, reporter, professional photographer as well as editorialist that has actually composed posts that are released worldwide on TheAviationist.com, TACAIRNET.com, Outside publication, Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, The Dearborn Press & Guide, National Interest, Russia’s federal government media electrical outlet Sputnik, as well as several various other magazines. Demerly examined journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. Tom Demerly offered in a knowledge celebration system as a participant of the U.S. Army as well as Michigan National Guard. His armed forces experience consists of being Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia(Cycle C-6-1)
and also as a Scout Observer in a reconnaissance device, Company “F”, 425th INF (RANGER/AIRBORNE ), Long Range Surveillance Unit(LRSU ). Demerly is a seasoned parachutist, holds sophisticated SCUBA qualifications, has actually climbed up the greatest hills on 3 continents and also saw all 7 continents as well as has actually flown a number of sorts of light airplane.
File picture of 2 Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35 Lightning IIs over
the Midwest. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Ben Mota) The Hellenic Air Force could obtain 20 F-35 airplane to create an armada, with a feasible alternative momentarily one. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis introduced on June 30, 2022 that a Letter of Request has actually been sent out to the United States to formally ask for the acquisition of 20 F-35 Lightning II 5th gen airplane. The news got here after the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain, as well as notes the start of the multi-stage procedure that will certainly bring about the shipment of the very first airplane for the Hellenic Air Force in 2027-2028.
“Our intent is to obtain an F-35 armada with a feasible choice momentarily one. Sending out a Letter of Request (LoR) which has actually taken place in the previous couple of days becomes part of this procedure,” Mitsotakis informed press reporters. “It is a lengthy procedure as well as I am stating this due to the fact that it implies we have the financial room permitting us to make such an acquisition.”
This Letter of Request adheres to an additional one that was apparently sent out in 2020 by the Ministry of National Defense to the U.S. Department of Defense, in which Greece asked for 18-24 F-35 brand-new or utilized by the U.S. Air Force to be supplied in 2021. Some records also mentioned that Greece might have obtained 6 F-35s initially developed for Turkey, if required.
Nothing else information have actually been launched, besides claiming that the Prime Minister went over the purchase of the F-35 throughout his current journey to Washington last month. The Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos as well as the principal of the National Defense General Staff, Konstantinos Floros, are anticipated to take a trip to the United States this month also and also it is secure to think that the F-35 will certainly be among the based on be reviewed.
The procurement of F-35s would certainly “reinforce Greece’s protection abilities, strengthen US-Greek NATO interoperability, protecting local security,” United States Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, claimed in a tweet complying with a conference recently in between Minister Panagiotopoulos and also authorities from the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office.
The feasible acquisition of the F-35 is simply among the lots of procurement programs of the Greek protection in the last couple of years, started in order to improve the militaries after stress with Turkey rose once more. Greece as well as Turkey have actually been at probabilities for years over a collection of concerns, however the present safety and security circumstance which complied with the Russian intrusion in Ukraine better worsened the demand to improve the army throughout Europe.
About Stefano D’Urso Stefano D’Urso is an independent reporter as well as factor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A grad in Industral Engineering he’s additionally examining to attain a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions and also OSINT strategies put on the globe of existing problems as well as armed forces procedures are amongst his locations of knowledge.
Main photo: data image of an Italian Air Force F-35B(Alessandro Fucito ). In packages: F-35s ops in Iceland(ItAF )Along with the 4 F-35As sustaining NATO’s
Icelandic Air Policing, the Italian Air Force has actually released its 2 F-35B STOVL(Short Take Off Vertical Landing)airplane for training in Iceland’s cool environment. For the 3rd time in the last 3 years, Italy has actually released its F-35 Lightning II airplane to Iceland, to sustain NATO’s Interim Air Policing objective “Airborne Surveillance as well as Interception Capabilities to fulfill Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs (ASIC-IPPN)”, much more generally referred to as Icelandic Air Policing. Sustained by greater than 130 armed forces as well as under the command of Col. Gianmarco Di Loreto, 4 F-35A coming from the 13 ° Gruppo(Squadron)of the 32 ° Stormo(Wing)of the Italian Air Force have actually accomplished QRA(Quick Reaction Alert)responsibilities from Keflavik International Airport: considering that the start of Operation Northern Lightning III, at the end of April 2022, the Italian F-35As have actually introduced 250 sorties, 28 T-Scramble (Training Alert separations)amounting to 433 trip hrs. F-35A of the Italian Air Force over Iceland.(All photos: ItAF unless mentioned)While releasing properties to Iceland is not brand-new to the Italians(this is the 3rd time the Italian F-35s run there as well as the 7th Italian involvement to the NATO Icelandic Air Policing goal overall), what is impressive is that the visibility of the Italian set in the High North for 60 days(the lengthiest in the nation)offered the possibility for the Italian Air Force to release its 2 F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing)
airplane to Keflavik for the extremely very first time. Two F-35As of the 32 ° Stormo over Iceland. For one week, both F-35Bs of the Aeronautica Militare have actually run from Keflavik to perform training goals in remote locations and also with chilly environment. The Italian Air Force released both possessions autonomously, many thanks to a”path”sustained by a KC-767A vessel of the 14 ° Stormo from Pratica di Mare accompanied by one C-130J from the 46 ^ Brigata Aerea in nautical SAR(Search as well as Rescue)arrangement. Many thanks to the vessel assistance, the F-35Bs flew straight from Amendola, in southeastern Italy, to Iceland. The 2 Italian Air Force F-35B throughout a training goal over Iceland(screenshot from ANSA.it video clip)The Italian Air Force thinks about the F-35B and also its STOVL ability a vital element of a bigger expeditionary system that makes the Air Force qualified to task power. If the existing strategies are verified, Italy will acquire a total amount of 90 F-35s: 60 F-35As and also 30 F-35Bs. Out of those 30 F-35Bs, 15 will certainly most likely to the Navy and also 15 to the Air Force. For the minute, the Italian Air Force has actually obtained both airframes that participated in the release to Keflavik(MM7453/32 -14 and also MM7455/32 -18). Right here’s what the previous ItAF Chief of Staff, Gen. Alberto Rosso, stated throughout the discussion of the F-35B at Pantelleria in July 2020, when its initial F-35B participated in an Expeditionary PoC as well as, sustained by a KC-130J vessel, released to Pantelleria, a little island in the Mediterranean Sea, to show the capability of the flying force to task as well as make use of the 5th generation airplane much from house, in a semi-permissive atmosphere, on an austere/bare path typically not useful by various other standard airplane as well as with restricted Force Protection offered by the host nation.:” This capacity is incredibly vital to deal with brand-new circumstances or scenarios like the one we had throughout the Gulf War. Our Tornado jets were released to an airbase [Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE] that was far from the location of procedures: this indicated that our airplane needed to lug as well as fly numerous hrs out a number of airborne refuelings prior to reaching their targets. The capability to run from much shorter paths can enable the choice of a closer airbase and also resolve the trouble. In regards to adaptability, simply believe that in Africa there have to do with 100 paths that have a size in between 2,800 and also 3,000 meters however there are 20 times as lots of paths in between 1,000 and also 1,500 meters in size
File picture of a USAF F-35A (U.S. Air Force picture by Senior Airman Erica Webster )According to regional media the Czech Minister of Defense is thinking about the F-35 to change the JAS 39 Gripen. Absolutely nothing has actually been chosen yet (at the very least formally), it looks like the F-35 is taken into consideration amongst the
. The last has actually usually been taken into consideration as well pricey as well as large for the requirements, passions and also pose of the Czech Republic. The circumstance has actually transformed a whole lot as well as, the battle underway in Ukraine As the considerable adjustment in the safety and security scenario in Eastern Europe, have actually presumably pressed the 5th generation airplane at the top of the shortlist: while it is the most pricey (not just to obtain however likewise to run)it is additionally the most modern-day airplane in the globe; it might flawlessly incorporate with existing and also future NATO tools systems for the following years and also, if required, bring nuclear tools. Several various other European nations, also some which had actually formerly disposed of the kind, or smaller sized ones where the F-35 appeared to be as well costly, have actually selected the Lightning II stealth airplane, considering it cost-efficient for their demands after considerable assessments. As well as, if success in the Old Continent market had not been sufficient, the F-35 remains to win likewise in the remainder of the globe. According to the details gotten by the Czech Echo24 media electrical outlet,”The Air Force has actually currently handed down to the ministry its suggestion of which airplane need to secure the Czech skies in the coming years. The choice will certainly be up to the federal government and also the ministry. The Czech Republic will certainly probably not make use of the alternative to acquire formerly rented airplane. In 2027, it will certainly be greater than a quarter of a century old makers that will certainly retire within the following years.”In such context, “the American F-35 is described as the best prospect. […]https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/28/canada-selects-the-f-35-and-enters-into-negotiations-with-lockheed-martin-for-88-stealth-jets/”>The cost would possibly be around 85 to 90 million bucks each.” Priest Jana Černochová ought to generate the purpose of buying 24 brand-new boxers throughout the summertime, according to the regional everyday, despite the fact that a main choice might slide to 2023. Considerable rate of interest in the F-35 by the Czech Republic has actually been validated by J.R. McDonald, the vice head of state of F-35 service advancement at Lockheed Martin, throughout a press conference on the opening day of the ILA Berlin Air Show recently, when he stated:”Initially we provided both the F-16 Block 70/72 as well as F-35A, yet after examining their demands, we have actually gone down the F-16. As much
as we understand, the Czech Air Force demand is for in between 18-24 [airplane] […] You’ll listen to much more regarding it quickly”
. Allow’s see what takes place. About David Cenciotti David Cenciotti is an independent reporter based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and also Editor of”The Aviationist”, among the globe’s most renowned and also review armed forces aeronautics blog sites. Considering that 1996, he has actually created for significant around the world publications, consisting of Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, as well as several others, covering air travel, protection, battle, market, cyberwar, knowledge and also criminal activity. He has actually reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia as well as Syria, as well as flown a number of battle aircrafts with various flying force. He is a previous 2nd Lt. of the Italian
Air Force, an exclusive pilot as well as
a grad in Computer Engineering. He has actually composed 5 publications as well as added to a lot more ones.
A Tornado ECR and an F-35A during a joint SEAD mission. (All images: Author)
We had the unique chance to see how the Italian Tornado ECRs team up with the F-35s to carry out a SEAD mission.
“Wild Weasel” is a code name given by the United States Air Force to an aircraft of any type, equipped with anti-radiation missiles and tasked with the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission: destroying the radar and Surface-to-Air Missile installations of enemy air defense systems. Within the Italian Air Force, the Wild Weasel mission is assigned to the 155° Gruppo ETS (Electronic Warfare Tactical Suppression) “Pantere Nere” (“Black Panthers”) of the 6° Stormo (Wing) based in Ghedi Air Base, northern Italy. The squadron operates with the Tornado ECR MLU RET8.
Just like the IDS fleet, that will officially celebrate its 40th anniversary in September this year, the Tornado ECR have, over the years, been modernized since they were first inducted into active service. Between 2013 and 2018, 15 Tornado ECRs were upgraded to the RET8 standard as part of a Mid-Life Update that introduced new avionics sub-systems and a new mission software, and required changes to the weapons management system in order to expand the array of armaments and mission loads the aircraft can carry.
Along with the INS/GPSintegrated NAV system aided by a MMR (Multi-Mode Receiver), the Tornado ECR MLU RET8, designated EA-200D in accordance to the Italian MOD Mission Design Series, is equipped with an upgraded IFF system, and Data-link system, with a new NVG-compatible internal and external lighting systems as well as new MFDs (Multi-Function Displays) in both the pilot and navigator’s cockpits.
“Our primary role is SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) and DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses), two kinds of mission we carry out with the Tornado ECR,” says Lt. Col. Michele, Commander of 155° Gruppo ETS, as he welcomes us in his office. “In terms of sensors, the ELS (Emitter Location System) is the onboard system that allows us to identify and geo-localise, in a pretty fast and accurate way, the ground radars that can be associated with the enemy anti-aircraft defenses.” Although somewhat similar, SEAD and DEAD missions are quite different: the missile used for SEAD missions can destroy an enemy radar making it unavailable for a certain period of time. However, if a replacement antenna is available, the air defense site can be restored and put back into service in a matter of a few days (if not hours). The DEAD mission aims at destroying both the radar and the launchers so that the SAM site is rendered inoperative for a longer period.
For DEAD missions, the Tornado’s arsenal has been expanded in 2016 with the addition of the GPS-guided GBU-32 JDAM (Joint Defense Air Munition) bombs that complemented the ARM (Anti Radiation Missiles) used for SEAD missions: the AGM-88B HARM and the AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Missile). The latter is a follow-on variant of the HARM (High Speed Anti Radiation Missile), developed under a US and Italian joint acquisition programme led by the US Navy. It features new software, improved ability to geo-locate and neutralize the threats thanks to a multi-mode seeker that embeds a passive radar, and an active millimeter wave sensors coupled with a GPS-aided inertial navigation system.
The 155° Gruppo, at that time belonging to the 50° Stormo, based at Piacenza, received the first Tornados for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) role in 1993. Designated IDS-HARM, those aircraft were fitted with avionics for integrating the AGM-88B HARM. The current Tornado ECRs, started being delivered in 1998.
The new missile was introduced after a successful Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) campaign, dubbed “Blazing Shield”, that saw four Tornado ECR deploy to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, in April 2018, to undertake a series of tests and two live firing events. “Although we have received the new AGM-88E, the squadron retains a capability with the AGM-88B: we still maintain the Bravo version as it can be useful is certain scenarios. For this reason we train and fly with both types. For us, the missile is itself a sensor and this is the reason why we fly training missions usually carrying one or two AGM-88s”.
Although the training is role-specific, Tornado of both variants can fly with mixed aircrews if needed: for instance, a pilot from 155° Gruppo and a navigator from 154° Gruppo on a Tornado ECR or vice versa, thanks to the standardized training provided by the Operational Conversion Unit.
Although a phase-out date has not yet been officially confirmed, the Italian Air Force has already decided that the SEAD/DEAD mission will transition to the F-35A Lightning II when the Tornado ECR is retired.
In a typical cooperative SEAD mission, data collected and fused by the F-35 is passed to the Tornado ECR by means of Link 16. The AM puts a lot of effort into improving the integration between 4th and 5th gen. assets.
“The current weapon system still allows us to carry out our mission in an effective way. But we have already started operating jointly with the F-35, that is the future of the Air Force: some of our pilots have already completed the transition to the F-35 and this is important because we are this means that we are pouring some of our experience into the Lightning line.” It’s worth remembering that while it has the ability to locate and track enemy forces, until the AARGM-ER (Extended Range) is integrated on the type, the F-35 still lacks a missile for SEAD missions, although it can use various stand-off weapons, including the GBU-39 SDBs (Small Diameter Bombs) that can be carried inside the weapons bays, to attack ground targets itself. During the transition of the SEAD mission, 155° Gruppo and 13° Gruppo (the squadron that flies the F-35A of 32° Stormo out of Amendola AB) are exploring new ways to exploit the best capabilities both aircraft are able to make available to the Wild Weasel mission.
The Tornado ECRs of the 155° Gruppo regularly train alongside the 154° Gruppo, that flies the Tornado IDS in the attack role. Both units are assigned to the 6° Stormo at Ghedi Air Base, along with the 102° Gruppo OCU (Operational Conversion Unit).
More details about the 155° Gruppo can be found in the story by this Author “Italian Wild Weasels”, in the July 2022 issue of Combat Aircraft Journal, at newsagents now!
In order to see how the F-35 and the Tornado work together, we were given the opportunity to fly aboard a Tornado ECR during a SEAD mission that involved three Tornados (2 ECRs + 1 IDS) from Ghedi (callsigns PANTE 1-3) and two F-35A of the 13° Gruppo of the 32° Stormo from Amendola (FALCO 31-32). Here’s how it went.
Hunting radars with the Black Panthers
On Feb. 16, 2022 we flew a mission with the 155° Gruppo. The mission was planned to take place inside R48, a restricted airspace located above central Italy, more or less mid-way between the departure airbases of the “Tonkas” and the F-35 Lightnings that joined us to carry out a SEAD mission that could leverage the capabilities of both 4th and 5th generation aircraft. The take-off time was at 13.00Z (14.00LT) with a WALK to the aircraft at 12.00Z so we spent most of the morning in the planning of the mission that, unlike sorties flown with only local assets, also included a Secure Video Conference with the two F-35 pilots from Amendola AB to review the whole plan, including block levels, task sharing and safety measures. For instance, to ensure proper deconflictions, we were assigned block altitudes between FL130 and FL150 (with aircraft separated by 1,000 feet) whereas the F-35s were assigned the block FL160-180. The transit time to the operational area was about 30 minutes, then we had 30-45 minutes “play time” before the RTB phase (lasting another half an hour).
The sensitivity of the mission and the type of assets involved in the sortie don’t allow us to disclose many details about the actual “kinetic” part of the sortie, but what we can say is that the mission was planned so that the F-35s used their sensor cooperating with ECRs in order to locate and ID the targets, share positions witihin platforms and allow Tornados to employ AGM-88: the two ECRs carried two inert Harm missiles, whereas the IDS, flown by a 155° Gruppo pilot, did not carry any armament but it took part in the mission flying the same mission profile as the rest of the ECR. The mission had a two-fold goal: put the SEAD/DEAD tactics to test and improve the 4th/5th generation cooperation. Among the various possible scenarios, a SEAD mission jointly carried out by the two types can see an initial phase where F-35s use their ESM (Electronic Support Measures) capabilities cooperating with ECRs to detect the emissions of the enemy radars, gather the EOB and pass the relevant targeting information to the Tornado ECRs in order to employ AGM-88 from outside the envelope of the SAM batteries. The traditional “Magnum” codeword (used since the first Gulf War by the SEAD aircraft upon firing their anti-radiation missiles) is radioed to announce the launch of an AGM-88.
As said, we can’t provide many more details about the mission other than saying that it was “successful”.
“The integration with the F-35 is crucial. We exploit the F-35’s sensor fusion and the ability of the 5th generation aircraft to disseminate the information to us via Link 16.” Lt. Col. Michele’s words are echoed by the F-35s pilots we had the opportunity to talk to: “The SEAD/DEAD capability is the F-35’s core business. The pilots of our squadron have already gained an enormous experience in the use of the aircraft in this kind of mission, that is part of the training of an F-35 pilot since the very early stages of the training process.” Simulated SEAD/DEAD missions that see the integration of the Tornado ECRs and the F-35s are flown quite frequently. “We train for this kind of mission with legacy assets whenever we have the opportunity. The training profile of the F-35 pilots includes a specific mission that embeds Fighter Integration tactics during which the two assets cooperate using two different air-to-surface weapons”.
The Tornado ECR and IDS of the 6° Stormo regularly train with the F-35A of the 13° Gruppo/32° Stormo from Amendola: the 5th generation aircraft will replace both types in the future.
About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a freelance journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.
The first F-35A of the 6° Stormo (All images: Luciano Zanini / The Aviationist)
The 6° Stormo is the second Italian Air Force wing to operate the F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
On Jun. 16, 2022, the F-35A Lightning II MM7366/6-01 (AL-16) was delivered to the 6° Stormo (Wing), at Ghedi Air Base. Escorted by three Tornados, the first Lightning II sporting the markings of the “Diavoli Rossi” (Red Devils) carried out a few flybys with the Tonkas and a low passage before landing at the base located near Brescia, in northern Italy.
The new aircraft was welcomed by the commander of the 6th Wing, Col. Giacomo Lacaita, along with Gen. Alberto Biavati, Commander of the Squadra Aerea (Air Fleet Command) and former pilot of the Red Devils at the time of Desert Storm; Gen. Francesco Vestito, Commander of the I Regione Aerea (1st Air Region) and former 6th Wing commander, as well as civilian authorities.
One of the flybys of the first F-35A of the 6° Stormo escorted by three Tornados.
Our contributor Luciano Zanini was also at Ghedi AB where he took all the images you can find in this article.
With the arrival of the first aircraft (to be followed, in about one month, by a second airframe, MM7367/6-02) the 6° Stormo has become the second Italian Air Force Wing to operate the F-35A; the other one is the 32° Stormo, based at Amendola AB, whose child-unit, the 13° Gruppo (Squadron) has been operating with the 5th generation aircraft since 2016 and achieved IOC (Initial Operational Capability) in 2018.
The F-35A leading a formation of Tornados approaching Ghedi on Jun. 16, 2022.
The official delivery to the 6° Stormo today was just symbolic though: initially, the first F-35s of the “Red Devils” will operate from Amendola, as part of a “pooled” fleet that will enable the aircrews to carry out the training activities on the type until the aircraft eventually relocate to Ghedi.
The patch that celebrates the delivery of the first F-35 of 6° Stormo, coded 6-01.
The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II will gradually replace the Tornado fleet that this year celebrates 40 years of Italian Air Force service: the IDS variant will be retired first (by 2025 according to the rumors as no official plan has been announced yet), followed, at a later stage, by the Tornado ECR. Both the IDS and ECR operate at Ghedi with the 6° Stormo and its three squadrons: the 102º Gruppo [that is the Tornado OCU (Operational Conversion Unit)], the 154º Gruppo, equipped with the Tornado IDS, and 155º Gruppo equipped with the Tornado ECR.
The F-35A MM7366 and a Tornado ECR of the 155° Gruppo.
About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a freelance journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.
climbed up the old fencing, from horning in the army installment. The choice to base the F-35s there is not unexpected: Buchel is the homebase of the Tornado IDS of the Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33(TLG33)and also, most of all, according to a number of records (never ever been formally validated), it is likewise the base where the U.S. nukes needed to satisfy NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement, are saved. By 2030, the nuclear strike goal will certainly change from the Tornado IDS to the F-35A, with the last able to bring the B61-12 bomb in the inner tools bay. F-35A AF-6 launches inert B61-12 throughout a twin qualified airplane(DCA)examination trip overhead over Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Nov. 25, 2019.(Image: DoD)A total amount of 35 Lightning II airplane will certainly be made use of to cover the jobs presently appointed to the Tornado IDS, consisting of the nuclear strike duty, while a variety of Eurofighter ECR, an Electronic Combat Reconnaissance (ECR)/ Suppression of Enemy Air Defences(SEAD)variation of the Eurofighter Typhoon that was very first revealed by Airbus back in 2019, is slated to change the Tornado ECRs as well as cover additionally the IuWES [Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum(
luWES )] Digital Attack demand Germany has actually dedicated to supply to NATO. H/T Jens Hameister for the heads-up About David Cenciotti David Cenciotti is an independent reporter based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder as well as Editor of”The Aviationist”, among the globe’s most popular as well as check out army air travel blog sites. Considering that 1996, he has actually created for significant around the world publications, consisting of Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and also numerous others, covering air travel, protection, battle, market, criminal offense, knowledge as well as cyberwar. He has actually reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and also Syria, as well as flown a number of fight airplanes with various air
pressures. He is a previous 2nd Lt. of
the Italian Air Force, a personal pilot as well as a grad in Computer Engineering. He has actually composed 5 publications and also added to much more ones.
