F35 JSF journey to AUS

[Quickstatus]

The JSF !apparently travelled from Forth worth airforce base to Guam to Amberley AF

I wonder how many inflight refuels were required?

 

[FlyboyAl]

I love the footage of the F35B landing on a carrier whenever the ABC is talking about them!
I didn't know we were buying carriers and aircraft as well lol.

 

[jb747]

I love the footage of the F35B landing on a carrier whenever the ABC is talking about them!
I didn't know we were buying carriers and aircraft as well lol.

We actually already own two 'aircraft carriers' that would be quite capable of operating them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra-class_landing_helicopter_dock

 

[FlyboyAl]

Thanks JB, that decision went under my radar!

We actually already own two 'aircraft carriers' that would be quite capable of operating them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra-class_landing_helicopter_dock

 

[moa999]

Well not really 'capable'
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/pm...-plan-quietly-sunk-by-defence-20150707-gi6qxj

jump-jet*proposal would involve extensive modifications to the ships, including new*radar systems, instrument landing systems, heat-resistant decking, restructuring of fuel storage and fuel lines, and storage hangars.

 

[jb747]

Well not really 'capable'
PM's floating fighter jet plan quietly sunk by Defence | afr.com

Most of the work would be little more than blacksmithing. Radar, ILS, etc...I'm surprised that isn't installed anyway. Helicopters have just as much need for these systems. Fuel...same fuel as the choppers too.

Decking work would be needed, but that's the sort of thing that happens in overhauls anyway. Of course it makes you wonder just how smart the military procurement system is, as these ships would always be likely to be involved with the US marines, and it seems outright stupid to buy a ship with a ski jump whilst only looking backwards at past aircraft. But, they did get involved with the Seasprite and Tiger.....

Having said that, they don't strike me as the sort of ship I'd want to see in harms way.

 

[fairbasa]

Speaking to one of the Aussie JSF pilot/instructors at Avalon yesterday - I asked specifically about the possibility of operating F-35Bs off the LHDs. He said to his knowledge there are no plans for this and played down the likelihood of it happening given the payload/fuel capacity penalty for the F-35Bs is significant. He was full of praise for the F-35As. Must have a been a long trip from Luke-Hawaii-Guam-Amberley-Avalon, required 7x in air refuels!

 

[clazman]

For these type of flights, what sort of speeds do they cruise at?

Is it possible whilst flying they applied some form of training / test plan or simply stuck on cruise control?

 

[straitman]

Considering it wasn't actually a display the F35 flying show at Avalon on Saturday was pretty good IMHO though the F22 certainly stole the show.

 

[jb747]

For these type of flights, what sort of speeds do they cruise at??

The tankers would have been setting the pace. Probably somewhere around Mach .78.

 

[jb747]

Speaking to one of the Aussie JSF pilot/instructors at Avalon yesterday - I asked specifically about the possibility of operating F-35Bs off the LHDs. He said to his knowledge there are no plans for this and played down the likelihood of it happening given the payload/fuel capacity penalty for the F-35Bs is significant. He was full of praise for the F-35As.

What colour was his uniform?

The entire point of the F35B is that it will be available in places that the A isn't. In that case it doesn't matter which is better, as the other simply won't be there.

 

[Quickstatus]

How many inflight refuels?

 

[jb747]

How many inflight refuels?

Seven according to post 7.

 

[Quickstatus]

Did the tankers accompany the F35 all the way? USAF tankers part of the way?

 

[jb747]

Did the tankers accompany the F35 all the way? USAF tankers part of the way?

Whilst I have no particular details of the flight, I would expect that two tankers would have been involved, and most likely just flew along all the way with the F35s. I would also expect them to have kept the fighters tanked up to the point that they would have the ability to get to some of the island runways that exist along the way. That might not fill all the gaps, but it would keep them to a minimum. There may well have been P3 or C130 involvement too, to provide SAR in case it was needed.

The second tanker provides coverage in case of issues with the first, as well as meaning an aircraft is present to accompany an aircraft in distress. A lot of planning would be required...

 

[travelislife]

Considering it wasn't actually a display the F35 flying show at Avalon on Saturday was pretty good IMHO though the F22 certainly stole the show.

It was actually a bit disappointing really. Was like a new toy they didn't want to break. But after reading more up on it, sounds like there has been so many issues I would struggle to have faith as a pilot pushing it to extremes!

The raptor (F22) was purely awesome, what a machine.

 

[fairbasa]

I would also expect them to have kept the fighters tanked up to the point that they would have the ability to get to some of the island runways that exist along the way.

Yes, that's exactly what the pilot said. They were constantly topping the planes up to the point that no matter where they were they would be able to land should they not be able to refuel for whatever reason.

 

[ksthommo]

Lockheed Martin link of the flights
Code One: RAAF F-35 Trans-Pacific Flight Continues Australian Aviation Pioneering Spirit · Lockheed Martin