Page 1 of 1
F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:54 am
by acw367
It was announced yesterday that RAF Lightning had undertaken armed missions in Op SHADER over Syria. Having been declared operational in December, 617 Sqn are now conducting operations with the jet. A leap in combat air power.
https://mobile.twitter.com/JustinReuter ... 0491718657.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 12:38 pm
by Surrey Sam
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 4:26 pm
by Doughnut
acw367 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:54 am
A leap in combat air power.
It may well be a "giant leap" in air power, but with only six aircraft it is a good job we do not have to "leap" in more than one direction at the same time.
Air power requires strength in numbers and the ability to be in more than one operating area with a small force will not work.
I am glad the F-35 is operational but until MOD purchase the full number of aircraft and required pilots and support the system will always be under stress.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:24 pm
by Vulcan74
I understand Marham is to get another 5 F-35's this year.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:45 pm
by Viper28
They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 10:20 pm
by Nighthawke
The Tornado though is now out of service so time to accept and move on.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:38 am
by Agent K
Vulcan74 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:24 pm
I understand Marham is to get another 5 F-35's this year.
Isn't the OCU moving across this summer, which I assume will be bringing it's aircraft with them?
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:39 am
by Agent K
Viper28 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:45 pm
They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.
Which of course was doing what a Mosquito did at a fraction of the cost of the Tornado...
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:56 am
by PeteHemsley
Agent K wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:39 am
Viper28 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:45 pm
They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.
Which of course was doing what a Mosquito did at a fraction of the cost of the Tornado...
Hmmmmmm, maybe slightly less accurate than the above comment
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:27 am
by acw367
Viper28 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:45 pm
They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.
Then I suggest you don't understand the ISR capability the networked information EOTS etc. Read this
https://www.f35.com/about/capabilities
It is like having a Tornado with Sentinel strapped under one wing and an EF-18 Growler strapped under the other wing.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:46 am
by Sparts99
Its a good lead in to work up testing the systems, not just the F-35 itself but all the support that goes with ops away from base. Better this than a baptism of fire in a very hostile environment with advanced air defence and ECM.
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:06 am
by Agent K
PeteHemsley wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:56 am
Agent K wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:39 am
Viper28 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:45 pm
They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.
Which of course was doing what a Mosquito did at a fraction of the cost of the Tornado...
Hmmmmmm, maybe slightly less accurate than the above comment
It was said with a little bit of tongue in cheek...... but also making a point........
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:14 am
by Vulcan74
Well the tornado had a good innings now it's time to move on, just like the kingair!!!
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 4:10 pm
by Blackcat1
I thought IS had been defeated?
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 5:21 pm
by Hawkwind26
Blackcat1 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 4:10 pm
I thought IS had been defeated?
I do hope so, but we've thought that with other extremists. They just go underground, regroup and occassionally appear as cowards. Battle maybe over but conflict sadly will continue, whether religion, oil or power. I hope the F35s fly as guardians, police and deterrents but never have to be called in a war
Re: F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:20 pm
by Blackcat1
A few have been been found in Nicaragua trying to get to the USA! According to the BBBC