US Department of Defense: Only a third of the fleet of F-35 fighters is in full combat readiness

The most promoted product of the American defense industry is the F-35 fighter, which is positioned as an aircraft capable of coping with any range of threats. Many US satellites have already launched purchases of this machine, others intend to purchase this "miracle technology" in the near future. So, such plans were recently announced by the Romanian Ministry of Defense.

At the same time, the operation of the F-35 in the United States itself is facing serious difficulties. According to Michael Schmidt, head of the stealth fighter program, as of February 2023, there were more than 540 F-35 units in the United States, and only 53,1% of the aircraft were in combat readiness. At the same time, only a third of the vehicles were in full combat readiness - less than 30% (in 2020 this figure was 39%).

The reason for the decrease in the level of combat readiness is not clearly disclosed. According to American observers, this may be affected by the faster failure of various parts and the aircraft engine.

The Pentagon called the current situation “unacceptable” and promised that they would try to achieve at least a 12% increase in combat readiness within 10 months. Time will tell to what extent the American command will be able to fulfill its obligations.

Comments

[Orange Bigg]

US Department of Defense: Only a third of the fleet of F-35 fighters is in full combat readiness

And those that are combat-ready would be better not to rise into the air at all, so as not to fall.

Many experts believe that the real RCS of the F35 is within 0,3 m2. in the front projection at a distance of 200-205 km, taking into account the weapons placed in the fuselage. It is worth noting that the US Air Force is armed with a long-range air-to-air missile AIM-120D, which allows attacking a target at a distance of up to 180 km, and it turns out that the F35 has an advantage over the Su-35S. On the F35, radar with AFAR (active phased antenna array ), namely AN-APG-77 or AN-APG-81 with a target detection range with an RCS of 1 m2 within 235 km and from 225 km in azimuth - speed mode. The power of the PPM is on average 2 W, and the peak is 10 W, the total average power is up to 4 kW, and the pulse is up to 18 kW., The number of PPM is at least 1900 pieces. , but its characteristics are impressive. The detection range of a target with an RCS of 35 m035 at opposite angles is up to 1 km, and a target with an RCS of 2 m270 from 0,1 km, an average pulse power of 2 kW and a maximum of 165 kW with the ability to use a discrete illumination power of 5 kW. The maximum target detection range with EPR is from 20 m2 at opposite angles to 3 km. It turns out that the Su-2S will be able to detect the F400 at a distance of 35 km with guarantee, if you do not believe in fairy tales in an EPR of 35 m210. True, there is one thing! The AIM-0,0001D, F2 missile can attack already from 120 km, and detect drying from 35-180 km, and, it would seem, that's all.

[dorz]

It turns out in the ranks of 180 pieces. ZRADA!

[Orange Bigg]

Quote: dorz

It turns out in the ranks of 180 pieces. ZRADA!

I would say ZERADA.

[credo]

The US DoD is risking absolutely nothing when it says such extreme things, simply because the reason for "not fully operational" is not disclosed and there are no reasons that the F-35 will be replaced by fighters from another country.
Conclusion - the US Department of Defense will ask for additional content for these products and no more. That's the whole "bomb" from the media.

[tralflot1832]

This simply cannot be, in the USA everything works like clockwork. The railways confirm. By the way, I’m waiting for a good bzdyn on their river - methanol, doesn’t it explode?

[Alex777]

The state of railways in the States is such that accidents happen every day. We just haven't written about it before.
Biden allocated more than a trillion dollars for infrastructure, but so far nothing has been heard about what they went for. Even strange somehow.
The Democrats planned to win this election.
As for the F-35, it was decided to change all engines.
As part of the fight against vibrations.
How they will increase combat readiness in such conditions is a question.

[tralflot1832]

They have precisely established what causes resonant vibrations, maybe pilots vibrate like that ?

[Michael]

Beautiful planes are flying.
And the F35 is ugly even in front, even in profile.

[Romario_Argo]

in the USA, the approaches are different, without maintenance in the F-22 and F-35 hangar - will not take off
and all strategists, fighters and bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces are designed for outdoor parking
Drying, Migi, Carcasses and turntables - years
even the old civilian Il-96 in Domodedovo, after 10 years of parking, flew away

[ANB]

. and all strategists, fighters and bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces are designed for outdoor parking
Drying, Migi, Carcasses and turntables - for years

What is calculated is good. But the fact that there are no hangars is bad.

[Romario_Argo]

not a hangar - it's just a shelter
- no caponiers for sweeping carcasses

[rotmistr60]

in the United States, there were more than 540 F-35s, and only 53,1% of the aircraft were in combat readiness. At the same time, only a third of the vehicles were in full combat readiness - less than 30%

Note that this is written by the Americans, who in this case cannot be accused of lying. But visitors from Israel and some locals do not agree with this. In their opinion, this cannot be because it cannot be.

[HAM]

Now, if the planes in America are serviced as they should, and even there only a third is in combat readiness. And imagine Romania (and not only, well, maybe, except for Israel) and these planes, how much will they fly? But the Americans will not miss the gain ...

[QuestionsNeudobny]

fighter F-35, which is positioned as an aircraft

yah?! but I thought that this was another super-cut under the guise of a super-weapon

[fima_tut]

And what else to buy from them more or less really ready for use? Offhand - rafal; eurofighter, saab .... in a deep coma. Perhaps soon (by 2030) South Korea will make a cheaper replacement for the French

[Doron 7]

Poor Americans, they don't even fly planes. I wonder if they still lynch blacks?

[lukash66]

What are you, this is a fake bastard Rusny. Now the sectarians of the holy Fy35 will come running and peck you. And they will carry you with a face about the table, that there are already hundreds of them all over the world, and the quilted jackets have one junk and 10 pieces of unfinished Su57, which glow like a Christmas tree.

[Joker62]

Quote: rotmistr60

in the United States, there were more than 540 F-35s, and only 53,1% of the aircraft were in combat readiness. At the same time, only a third of the vehicles were in full combat readiness - less than 30%

Note that this is written by the Americans, who in this case cannot be accused of lying. But visitors from Israel and some locals do not agree with this. In their opinion, this cannot be because it cannot be.

Well, these are Jews, baby ... they have a question - they ask a question ... that is, upside down. And all things...

[Landwarrior]

Oh lie, lie again...
Well, they are selling this plane to all allies, why are all the fools there, useless planes?
Are they planning to secretly transfer them somewhere under the guise of sending them for repairs? to Europe or the Middle East?

[Negro]

And no one will explain what "50% combat readiness and 30% full combat readiness" is? 20% of aircraft are serviceable, but not refueled?