F-35 Lightning II developments

[hvaneupen]

Hans,
probably yes. AF-430 is 22-5946/HL operated by the 4th FS, f/f 01082024

Regards
Frank

But how do the FMS for KLu F-038 to F-046 fit in then? These are out of sequence with the 22-59xx range.

[Hans van Herk]

Is it possible that both Lot 15 and Lot 16 are FY22.
I see a large gap between 22-5729 (AF-429) and 22-5947 (AF-431)

07 April 2024

Follow the contract and remember the FY15 contract and the missing FY16 serials
Now:

PLANNED
contract for Lot 15 & Lot 16 with Lot 17 as option in FY21
Lot 15 & Lot 16 with FY21 (FY22 missing)
Lot 17 with FY23

BUT, due to some DELAY, the agreement arrived in FY22 and NOT in FY21
July 19, 2022
More than 10 months beyond the originally expected goal, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin have reached a “handshake deal” on Lots 15-17 of the fighter, which collectively will amount to only 375 aircraft.

So:
Lot 15 & Lot 16 with FY22 (FY21 missing)
Lot 17 will have FY23 ( May 2, 2023 Lockheed Awarded $7.8B Contract Option for Lot 17 F-35 Production, Delivery Services

Have you the picture?

Thank you. I got the picture now

Regards,
Hans van Herk

[Hans van Herk]

Hans,
probably yes. AF-430 is 22-5946/HL operated by the 4th FS, f/f 01082024

Regards
Frank

But how do the FMS for KLu F-038 to F-046 fit in then? These are out of sequence with the 22-59xx range.

The FY22 range starts with 22-5682 (Lot 15)

[tally]

Here is another curve ball. AF-442 is XX-5779/TY. Going back to some old number sequence in the XX-57XX range.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Here is another curve ball. AF-442 is XX-5779/TY. Going back to some old number sequence in the XX-57XX range.

No curveball - correct serial allocation

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Hans,
probably yes. AF-430 is 22-5946/HL operated by the 4th FS, f/f 01082024

Regards
Frank

But how do the FMS for KLu F-038 to F-046 fit in then? These are out of sequence with the 22-59xx range.

AF serials for F-038 / 046 are in the correct sequence

[Bjorn]

Is it possible that both Lot 15 and Lot 16 are FY22.
I see a large gap between 22-5729 (AF-429) and 22-5947 (AF-431)

That was already confirmed months ago .

Greets,

[Bjorn]

Here is another curve ball. AF-442 is XX-5779/TY. Going back to some old number sequence in the XX-57XX range.

No curveball - correct serial allocation

Is AF-441 also already confirmed as 22-5778 then?

Greets,

[hvaneupen]

chaotic allocation then...

@ Starfighter_F104G, you seem to have a overview. Is it possible to share that to end this speculation and questions?

[Bjorn]

Don't think so, there is logic in it. Trying to compile it now.

Greets,

[Starfighter_F-104G]

@ Starfighter_F104G, you seem to have a overview. Is it possible to share that to end this speculation and questions?

REPETITA IUVANT - Follow the contracts

1st - Contract for Lot 15 & Lot 16 + option for Lot 17 (AF Serials assigned in sequence)
2nd - Modification to the Contract for Lot 15 (AF Serials assigned after the just assigned serials)

I also remember to pay attention to the changes that the various stages of the US defense budget may bring to the number of aircraft to be ordered (if the contract has been definied with xx F-35s a modification will follow).

Example (from 68 to 58 to 76)
The Air Force’s FY25 budget proposal requested money to buy 42 F-35As, and the Navy and Marine Corps budgets would buy 13 F-35Bs and 13 F-35Cs.

The House’s version of the NDAA would drastically slash F-35 purchases, cutting the initial order down to 58. That bill, which the House narrowly approved Friday, would then bar the Pentagon from accepting delivery of 10 of those remaining jets until it shows problems with the F-35 are fixed.

But the House’s proposed defense appropriations bill, a separate piece of legislation, would add eight more F-35s — two F-35A and six F-35C jets — for a total of 76 new fighters in FY25.

[tally]

AF-430, 22-5946/HL delivered to the 4 FS at Hill AFB, August 21, 2024. That is three weeks after its first flight.

[tally]

AF-436, 22-5952/AL delivered to the 100 FS as Hustler 91 at Dannelly Field, AL, August 22, 2024.

[Maurizio]

Recently produced F-35s are being delivered, why older examples , in particulary LN 's assigned, aren't yet?

[raameagle]

because the ‘older’ ones are in a state of storage so it’s easier to deliver those that are in flight test first. The ‘older’ ones will no doubt be brought out of storage slowly and subsequently flown and delivered.