F-35 Lightning II developments

[PilotoRico]

Does any one know if there is any F-35 in production line for Australia and Norway?

Thanks.

[Coati]

Does any one know if there is any F-35 in production line for Australia and Norway?

Thanks.

Yes, First two Australian F-35s are in LRIP-6, being c/n AU-1 and AU-2. Assembly of AU-1 started in August 2012. So they are in some stage on the production line, since all LRIP-6 are on the prodction line right now (LRIP-5 is currently running of the production line). Delivery in 2014.

Earlier this year Australia recommitted to the JSF program with the intention to purchase around 100. But next batch will be produced in LRIP-10, so delivery in 2018.

About Norway: the first two aircraft are in LRIP-7, so assembly should start around now. In July already 4 LRIP-7 (out of 37) were on the production line. around 3 or so per month are added so that should be 10 or so by now. Delivery in 2015. After that 2 more in LRIP-8 and then 6 for each successive production year till they have 52.

[PilotoRico]

Yes, First two Australian F-35s are in LRIP-6, being c/n AU-1 and AU-2. Assembly of AU-1 started in August 2012. So they are in some stage on the production line, since all LRIP-6 are on the prodction line right now (LRIP-5 is currently running of the production line). Delivery in 2014.

Earlier this year Australia recommitted to the JSF program with the intention to purchase around 100. But next batch will be produced in LRIP-10, so delivery in 2018.

About Norway: the first two aircraft are in LRIP-7, so assembly should start around now. In July already 4 LRIP-7 (out of 37) were on the production line. around 3 or so per month are added so that should be 10 or so by now. Delivery in 2015. After that 2 more in LRIP-8 and then 6 for each successive production year till they have 52.

Thanks Coati.... wow, you are very well informed. Thanks for that. I noticed the figure 52 with Norway, so that's the number of F-35's that are ordered? Much better then the 37 we get

PilotoRico

[tally]

In case anyone wonders where the Dutch 35's reside at the moment I received the following from LMTAS:

AN-1 is currently at Patuxent Naval Air Station, Md., for some tests, and the second jet known as AN-2 was transferred by the U.S. government to the NL Ministry of Defence on September 13, 2013 and was delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Cheers,

tally.

[raameagle]

Great info chaps but when you refer to on the production line, do you mean that parts are being made as opposed to the aircraft are on the final assembly line?

Regards

Mark

[Coati]

With production line I mean final assembly line.

And indeed, pilotorico: Norway has ordered more aircraft compared to what the Netherlands initially will order

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[Rockville]

There are also rumours about Belgium. Apparently they are planning a total between 35 and 60.

[raameagle]

Thanks Coati. The Aussie jets you mention may be in production but they are not on the final assembly line just yet.

Regards

Mark

[raameagle]

i.e. they are not complete airframes, just at the parts stage.

[tally]

Today 168732 in primer color took to the skies over north texas, to my knowledge, for the first time. Callsign was lightning 11 with F-16C 84-1234 as lightning 12 being chase.

Tally.

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[Coati]

Today 168732 in primer color took to the skies over north texas, to my knowledge, for the first time. Callsign was lightning 11 with F-16C 84-1234 as lightning 12 being chase.

Tally.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Which is BF-34, the last LRIP-4 F-35B.

[Coati]

F-35C CF-8 168735/ED-104 was delivered September 13th to Edwards to join the F-35 Integrated Test flight there (currently inventory: 6x F-35A, 2x F-35B and now one F-35C).

[Starfighter_F-104G]

Hi!..I'm looking for :
F-35A
09-5004 AF17 delivery date to Edwards
09-5007 AF20 delivery date to Edwards
10-5016 AF28 delivery date to Eglin

F-35B
BF022 , BF24 , BF25 , BF27

any info will be greats

MTIA

[Melchior Timmers]

(currently inventory: 6x F-35A, 2x F-35B and now one F-35C).

I only have 1 F-35B with the unit (168314)

Hi!..I'm looking for :
F-35B
BF022 , BF24 , BF25 , BF27

BF-22 f/f 02dec 12, del by mar13
BF-24 still with LMTAS, Fort Worth, TX by jul13
BF-25 f/f 06mar13, del 27jun13
BF-27 f/f 18mar13, del 19jun13

[Coati]

(currently inventory: 6x F-35A, 2x F-35B and now one F-35C).

I only have 1 F-35B with the unit (168314)

fast fact and status from LM sept 2013:

---------------
F-35 Fleet Status
78 F-35s have been delivered to the Department of Defense:
 58 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Aircraft
o There are 32 LRIP F-35s based at Eglin AFB, Fla. (14 F-35A (two international aircraft), 13 F-35B
(including three international aircraft) and 2 F-35C)
o There are 2 LRIP F-35As and 2 LRIP F-35Bs based at Edwards AFB, Calif. on loan for SDD.
o There are 4 LRIP F-35As based at Edwards AFB, Calif., for Operational Testing.
o There are 12 LRIP F-35Bs based at MCAS Yuma, Ariz.
o There are 4 LRIP F-35As based at Nellis AFB, Nev.
o There are 3 LRIP F-35s based in Fort Worth expected to ferry to MCAS Yuma, Ariz., and NAS
Patuxent River, Md.
------------

those F-35s are BF-17 and BF-18 (168313 and 168314), both initially stationed on Pax, but later ferried to Edwards.

link for bf-17:

5 March 2013: BF-17 To Edwards
Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti delivered F-35B BF-17 to the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards AFB, California, on 5 March 2013. The aircraft is to be used at the ITF for mission systems testing.

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/f35_arti ... tem_id=116

link for BF-18:

BF-18 Arrives At Edwards
RAF Sdn. Ldr. Jim Schofield delivered F-35B BF-18 to the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards AFB, California, on 26 April 2013. The aircraft will be used at the ITF for Mission System testing. The aircraft was ferried from NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, via Fort Worth, Texas.


http://www.codeonemagazine.com/f35_news ... em_id=1051

and here you have both:

Four- And Five-Ship MADL Connection
14 June 2013: AF-6, AF-7, BF-17, and BF-18 were used to complete the first F-35 airborne four-ship MADL connection at Edwards AFB, California. The airborne four-ship also achieved MADL connectivity with AF-3 during its ground test, marking the first five-ship MADL connection.

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_ ... ry_style=3