The F 35 Lightning II

The after taking 25 years to develop the F22 Raptor from conception to operational certification the United States Air Force (USAF) produced the world’s first 5th Generation air superiority fighter. (site) This revolutionary fighter plane leveraged its very low observable stealth (VLO) and thrust-vectoring and digital fly by wire technology, to produce an extremely fast, agile and deadly air to air combatant. (GEO P 2) However, in 2009 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, (SECDEF) convinced the President (POTUS) and Congress to truncate the F22 program, leaving the USAF with less than 187 operational F22 Raptors, this number was well short of the 381 the USAF estimated they needed to meet their mission requirements. (AWC 1/ site) Gates made his controversial decision based on three factors. This essay will explore these factors and explain how the 2009 U.S strategic environment, the overall cost of the F22 and Secretary Gates’ desire to change the Department of Defense (DOD) all lead to the decision to limit the production of the F22 Raptor at 187 aircraft.

The Soldiers of Alpha Battery, 80th AAA Battalion adapted to their constant environment and altered their specialty. Once they arrived in Ardennes, the unit’s mission changed from Anti-Aircraft, to supporting ground units with 57mm anti-tank gun. These Soldiers were Anti-Aircraft by trade, but adapted their skills to make an impact where they were the most needed. Modern day Air Defense Artillery adapts much in the same way. The ever changing world calls for new systems, different training, and a higher operational tempo. The Air Defense Artillery branch is always changing and adapting to modern military operations. The 21st of December proved how vital Anti-Aircraft Soldiers were to large combat operations. Their training allowed them to operate the 57mm anti-tank guns which turned out to be vital to stopping the German advance and eventually securing victory in Europe. In today’s military operations the Air Defense Artillery protects vital areas from aerial attack allowing Operation Commanders a location to land troops and supplies. Every battle and war is dependent on a supply route and without a secured supply route, no combat element can secure a victory. The 80th AAA Battalion proved how their adaptability and their support of large combat

Entering the combat systems market is a difficult task that is capital intensive and requires a unique, game changing solution that can be proven safe, reliable and effective in short order and superior to industry leaders such as GD. Though the steady growth within the industry and the large contract award values entices new entrants to explore entry, most will find that it is ultimately not feasible to compete against such industry leaders.

Attacking or replicating the F-45 Raider fighter jet could potentially cause mass casualties and destruction.

The fighter was developed by McDonnell Douglas and featured a M-61A Vulcan cannon, an improvement added in response to F-4D pilot complaints. McDonnell Douglas focused almost exclusively on the Phantom in 1966-67, as it was the first multiservice aircraft, serving the Air Force, Navy and Marines. It was a workhorse, able to take pilots up to do reconnaissance, combat air patrol missions and tactical

Military forces deploy to vastly different environments across the globe. However, two of the most important discriminating factors which shape how operations are conducted are acceptance and protection of US forces by the local population. Operational environments are roughly sorted into two major categories. Permissive environments are locations where the host nation has control of its territory and supports US operations. Non-permissive environments refer to locations with hostile or uncertain local response. Although the weapon’s systems and sensors do not change from one location to the next, the environment surrounding a deployed Air Defense unit has a significant impact on how it is best operated. The Patriot and Avenger weapons systems clearly demonstrate the disparate considerations that must be taken for implementation of each asset when employed in a permissive and non-permissive environment respectively.

Advanced Technologies. Lockheed Martin is bringing decades of experience of developing cutting edge technologically advanced systems to the marketplace. Through their legendary Skunkworks program, they have developed the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird. These are craft were operational long before the public even knew of their existence. The SR-71 developed in the 1960s still holds many speed and altitude records. The F-35 takes this experience and incorporates it. It is a fully stealth aircraft that uses advanced geometrical shape and electronic methods to remain undetectable. Each F-35 is fully linked to all other aircraft, being able to “see” what they see. The pilot wears an advanced helmet that allows them to see “through” the aircraft using 6 infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft, virtually eliminating any blind spots.

In today’s digital age, development of new technology and weapons are at an alarming rate, hence arises the need to stay ahead of advancements in order to properly defend the nation, as well as coalition forces and allies. In this period of warfare, the number one threat comes in the form of air breathing and ballistic missiles. During World War II, this threat was present, but was not thought to be prevalent.

CONSTRAINED EDITION F-TYPE PROJECT 7 AND IT APPEARS THAT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE AUTOMAKER IS WORKING ON AS WE NOW HAVE SPY SHOTS SHOWING A F-TYPE PROTOTYPE THAT'S MORE EXTREME THAN ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN.

Major Ted Tolman’s F-105 Thud fighter/bomber streaked through the air at just under the speed of sound. His aircraft performed modestly at best, struggling to maintain its speed and altitude under the heavy load of ordinance and fuel it carried under its wings (Patrick).

The Department of the Army XXXXXXX, in coordination with XXXXXX and XXXXXX, ordered the restructure of the XXXX Aviation Brigade and augmentation of aviation capabilities with the first Rotational Aviation Forces (RAF) concept in the US Army. The mission of the RAF is to support the XXXXXXX alliance in XXXXX and XXXXX.

The future of warfare and intelligence is upon the american people today, and it is appears to be the size of a small fishing boat. Massive yet small, the DDG-1000 Zumwalt class stealth destroyer is cutting through naval regularity with innovative new offensive, stealth, and information technology. The Zumwalt will be known as the harbinger of technology and innovation in the upcoming years. Just as gunpowder and the machinegun have changed warfare forever,the Zumwalt marks the beginning of a new era.

Ford F-250 6.7 Power-stroke is the greatest diesel on the market. Ford has been making diesel trucks since the 1960's. Ford has the best diesel on the market because of the capabilities, materials, durability, modifications and safety features.

We also need to invest in the future to ensure continued development and improvement of the war fighter’s mobilization electronic operating systems while continuously conducting relevant high quality training. These mobilization technology systems must support our current complex and evolving operating environment. Additionally, it is imperative that we identify duplicate systems and work towards the migration and/or elimination of unnecessary redundancies.

The F-35 JSF will be an excellent addition to the current fleet of conventional fighters. However, it is not worth the current investment to replace the entire fleet with fifth gen aircraft. As seen with the F-22 oxygen system failures in 2011, a simple problem has the capability to ground an entire fleet of aircraft.9 In the case of the F-35, a grounding problem at operational volume has the potential to ground the Air Force’s entire fleet of fighter aircraft, essentially leaving the United States powerless in the air. Leaders are taught to always have backup plans if one should fail, the United States is placing all hopes into one multi-purpose airframe. Although cheap, the F-35 is a jack of all trades, but a master of