US Air Force conducts first ever F-35 fighter jet 'elephant walk'

[jpak]

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/20/politics/us-air-force-f-35-elephant-walk/index.html

Washington (CNN)The US Air Force conducted its first so-called "elephant walk" drill using F-35 fighter jets Monday, launching dozens of aircraft in a condensed period as part of what the service called a "combat power exercise" at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

Dozens of stealth fifth-generation fighters from the active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and 419th Reserve unit participated in the exercise, which is intended to demonstrate the Air Force's ability to "launch any number of aircraft to support the national defense mission at a moment's notice," according to the service.

Fighter wings launched between 30 and 60 aircraft in 20- to 40-second intervals, according to the Air Force. That is roughly the same number of jets dispatched from Hill AFB on a typical day.

"We are ready to fight tonight, and exercising with multiple squadrons of F-35s can demonstrate our ability to defeat potential adversaries wherever they may arise," said Maj. Caleb Guthmann, the assistant director of operations and exercise project officer of the 34th Fighter Squadron, in a statement.

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[gratuitous]

1. Dear enemies of America

Please don't attack us if the forecast is for inclement weather. Like Rain Man and our President, the F-35 doesn't go out when it rains.

What threat is this colossal boondoggle supposed to protect us from?

[jpak]

3. But you can't see them - they're invisible don't you know

[Abnredleg]

4. Stealth aircraft fly in all weather

There was an issue with rain damaging the stealth coatings on earlier generations of stealth but that issue was fixed years ago.

Not arguing that the whole F-35 procurement process hasn't been a Charlie Foxtrot, but the over 200 of them have been delivered and it's performing well given how new it is.

[Docreed2003]

5. By years ago, do you mean before the F35?

Because the F-35 has had innumerable issues with its systems and ability to operate in bad weather conditions

[Abnredleg]

6. Yes, they have had issues

But that is par for the course when an aircraft is in development, and technically the F-35 is still in development. Issues come up, get fixed, and you move on. Part of the problem is that the DOD decided to do testing concurrently with production, which was asking for trouble.

The aircraft has been flying operationally for over a year, has seen combat with the Israeli Air Force, and it's getting good reviews from the operators.

[Adrahil]

8. ALL advanced aircraft have developmental issues.

The F/A-18 had TONS of developmental issues, and people decried it as a dud. It's now one of the most reliable, effective of the 4th generation aircraft.

Complex systems are COMPLEX.

The F-35 had a theoretical issue in Lightening. However, operationally the F-35 has been struck by lightening several times.... and was unaffected.

[brush]

10. Also new radar has been developed that renders their stealh capabilities obsolete.

In other words, they are now visible with the new radar.

[Docreed2003]

11. Oh I know...

And the F35 has been a gigantic boondoggle...

[brush]

13. Yeah, wasn't it supposed to be a multi-purpose fighter to take the place of...

A-10 as well as the F-15, F-16, F-18 and F-22?

A close air support and front line fighter all in one—that whole concept is laughable.

[tammywammy]

15. Never the F-22

US planned F-35 replacements:

USAF F-35A: F-16, possibly the A-10 in the future
USMC F-35B & F-35C: F-18 & Harrier
Navy F-35C: F-18 Hornets, but as a complement to the Super Hornets

The F-22 is a complement to the F-35.

[Blue_true]

9. I am sure that they will wait for clear weather. Promise!!! nt

[Coventina]

2. Big deal. I want to see a BABY elephant walk!

[dalton99a]

7. .

A formation of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs assigned to the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings stationed at Hill Air Force Base perform aerial maneuvers during as part of a combat power exercise over Utah Test and Training Range, Nov. 19, 2018. (Staff Sgt. Cory D. Payne/Air Force)

[RobinA]

12. Jeez, I'd Pay Money

to see that. Well, OK, they are invisible (not), but to hear it.

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. "So what is the point of this plane?"

"The point is to spend money. That is the mission of the airplane....is for the US Congress to send money to Lockheed. That's the REAL mission of the airplane" - Pierre Sprey, Design Consultant on the F-16 Falcon and the A-10 Warthog.

(Quote above at the 7:30 mark)

Mr. Sprey is not without criticis, however;


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Sprey#Response_to_Sprey's_Criticism_of_the_F-35