Lightning will ground F35 fighter jet known as the Lightning II

[indian_foxhound]

Britain’s £150 million new combat jet has been
banned from flying in bad weather amid fears
that it could explode. The production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter – the world’s most sophisticated and expensive
combat aircraft – has been derailed after
engineers discovered that the jet’s fuel tank could
explode if struck by lightning. The disclosure is a major setback for the aircraft,
also known as the Lightning II, which is due to
enter service with both the RAF and the Royal
Navy by 2018. Attempts to increase fuel efficiency by reducing
the jet’s weight have also made it more
vulnerable to enemy attack than the generation
of aircraft it was supposed to replace. The damaging findings were disclosed in a
Pentagon document which revealed that a fault
within the JSF’s fuel tank could potentially lead to
catastrophic explosion if the aircraft was struck
by lightning in a thunderstorm. The report from the Pentagon’s Operational Test
and Evaluation Office states that all test flying
within 25 miles of thunderstorms is “not
permitted” until a device in the fuel tank which
maintains correct oxygen levels is redesigned. The fear of an exploding fuel tank is just one of a
series of problem to befall the F-35 programme. A
design fault in the fuel tank has also prevented
the JSF being able to rapidly descend to low
altitude. The Pentagon report describes both failings as
“unacceptable for combat or combat training”. Examinations by the United States Air Force and
the Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer,
also discovered a handful of cracks in the tested
aircraft, including on the right wing and right
engine of the F-35A variant, and on another part
of the F-35B variant. “All of these discoveries will require mitigation
plans and may include redesigning parts and
additional weight,” the report added. Britain is buying the F-35B – the short take-off
and vertical landing version – as a replacement
for the Harrier. The “multirole” plane will be used
for air defence, ground attack and
reconnaissance missions. The F-35 has a top speed of 1,300mph and a
range of 1,450 miles, while the Harrier could
reach a speed of 700mph and had a range of 350
miles. The older aircraft also had no radar
transparency or stealth capabilities, while the
F-35 has both. However the version being ordered by Britain is
the is the heaviest, least capable and most
expensive of the three versions of the plane, as it
carries a lift fan propulsion system for its “jump
jet” capability, which it needs to land on the
Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers. The F-35 is also designed to be practically
invisible to radar. Its shape has no right angles,
which reflect radar waves, and a special “fibre”
coating make it difficult to detect on any enemy
radar. Low heat emissions and an ability to carry
armaments in an internal weapons bay instead of
mounted on wings and underneath the fuselage
further enhances its stealth capabilities. The aircraft will carry a range of weapons
including air-to-air rockets and satellite guided
bombs. Pilots are fitted with helmets which allow them
to see 360 degrees, and displays all the data they
need inside the visor. The cockpit also features an all-glass digital
instrument panel and a speech recognition
system. Each aircraft has more than 24 million
lines of “software code”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9813125/Lightning-will-ground-F35-fighter-jet-known-as-the-Lightning-II.html

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

They crib so much about the aid they give to India , lets see the how much the British public and media crib about this.

 

[Tridibans]

I think India dis a great job in staying away from the F-35 programme even when the US was pushing for it. Anyways, till the time it enters service, Russia will be rolling out the T-50.

 

[SHAMK9]

Its fair to call it sexy lookin sh*t

 

[indian_foxhound]

Its fair to call it sexy lookin sh*t

Hahahaha evry now and then we got to hear that f35 is grounded

 

[indian_foxhound]

Its fair to call it sexy lookin sh*t

Hahahaha evry now and then we got to hear that f35 is grounded

 

[gambit]

Suggest a more rational opinion and perspective based upon relevant experience.

Change Course To Protect F-35 | Defense News | defensenews.com

Both programs experienced their share of early development problems. At the outset, F-35 designers struggled with too much weight for the short-takeoff version. We forget today that F-16 designers struggled with canopy, engine and cockpit issues. Yet compared with the F-16 timeline, the birthing pains of the F-35 are well in its past.

The F-35 is admitted by everyone in the aviation industry, civilian and military, that it is an ambitious concept/project beyond the F-111 debacle when that aircraft was supposed to be the 'joint' in JSF for its day. The -111's intention was limited by technological constraints. Far less so and perhaps even none for the -35. In terms of avionics, the -111, -14, and -15 with their computer ASSISTED flight controls systems were evolutionary transition, while -16's was a technological leap, not merely an evolutionary transition, and its fly-by-wire avionics were analog when it debuted.

The -35 is all of that and no one else in the world have the gall to even try on paper, let alone the ability, capacity, and ambition to produce a working model. And it is precisely the ambitiousness of the project, despite the balancing out of the successful -16 to the failed -111, that the US received these unwarranted criticisms, much of it rhetorical hyperbole over genuine technical analyses.

 

[Albatross]

It’s the world’s most expensive combat aircraft, but don’t expect it to fly in bad weather: The $237-million F-35B has been banned from traveling within 25 miles of a thunderstorm, amid fears that lightning could cause its fuel tank to explode.

The aircraft, which is ironically known as 'Lightning II,' is not permitted to fly in thunderstorms until an oxygen gauge in the fuel tank is redesigned.

The findings were disclosed in the Pentagon’s 2012 Annual Operational Test and Evaluation report, which examined 327 defense programs slated for full production.

The announcement is a major setback for the combat plane, which is set for use in the US Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. The planes are also scheduled to fly with Britain’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force by 2018.

Other fears besides a lightning-induced explosion have left engineers worried. A design fault in the fuel tank prevents the jet from rapidly descending to low altitudes. The Pentagon report described both flaws as “unacceptable for combat or combat training.”

The F-35B's problems don’t stop there: Attempts to increase the aircraft’s fuel efficiency by reducing its weight have made it more vulnerable to enemy attack – even more so than the aircraft it’s designed to replace, the Telegraph reported.

Examinations by the US Air Force and manufacturer Lockheed Martin also discovered possible widespread cracking on the right wing and right engine of the F-35A, and on an area of the F-35B. “All of these discoveries will require mitigation plans and may include redesigning parts and additional weight,” the report said.

The aircraft’s supposedly state-of-the-art visor had its own issues last June. The visor is designed to provide pilots with up-to-the-second information about the jet’s every move, but actually provided incorrect data.

Critics have dubbed the F-35B a disaster since its inception in the 1990s, when it became the most expensive equipment project ever undertaken by the Pentagon. The total cost of buying, operating and maintaining the planes over the next 30 years is estimated at around $1.5 trillion.

That high price tag has given several countries cold feet about the jet. Last week, Canada pulled out of a deal to buy 65 F-35s over fears that the aircraft could be too expensive to run. Italy reduced its purchase to 90 F-35s from an initial 131, and even the US has delayed some of its purchases.

But despite the flaws in the F-35B’s fuel tank, the aircraft’s makers remain optimistic.

"The F-35 is a stealth aircraft and by definition it is less vulnerable than any fourth-generation fighter flying today. We don’t consider this a major issue,” a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told the Telegraph.

 

[indian_foxhound]

already posted @WebMaster

 

[Albatross]

c'mon nobody discussed it there lets try here plus its more detailed info

 

[gambit]

Here is the flaw in that article -- if anyone is willing to exercise critical thinking skills...

The aircraft, which is ironically known as 'Lightning II,' is not permitted to fly in thunderstorms until an oxygen gauge in the fuel tank is redesigned.

There are no 'gauge' or indicator of any sort in any fuel tank. Whoever wrote that article, as no sources given, did not perform 'due diligence', especially when there are highly technical issues involved.

A 'gauge' or indicator does exactly that -- indicate or reveal or display. So what the hell does a 'gauge' doing INSIDE a fuel tank? Who is going to see it?

This is about the CAPACITIVE FUEL QUANTITY indicator system...Keywords search there...

The Capacitive Fuel Probe

The B-747-100 FQIS measures fuel volume and density, allowing computation of fuel weight to be displayed on cockpit gages for each fuel tank. A group of capacitive fuel quantity probes are distributed throughout the volume of a given fuel tank. (See Figure 2-3.) Each fuel quantity probe consists of anelectrically conductive tube surrounded by an outer tube. (See Figure 2.1-1.) When alternating electrical voltage is applied across the tubes, a displacement current will flow between them. The relationship between the voltage and current depends upon the capacitance between the two conductive tubes. As these probes are immersed in fuel, the capacitance value changes in proportion to the fuel level.Changes in capacitance of the fuel probe sensors are evaluated by a bridge circuit, which provides a signal to the electronic fuel indicators, which display aircraft fuel quantity to the flight or maintenance crew. [Ref. 2-2] A smaller compensator probe is placed near the bottom, center of a fuel tank, and isusually completely submerged in fuel. The compensator probe provides indication of fuel density.Wires are routed within the fuel tank to a terminal block located near the top of each probe, which has three terminal connections: HI Z (High impedance, inside tube), LO Z (Low Impedance, outside tube),and Ground (floating ground for HI Z shield). The silver-plated copper wiring and probe terminals are exposed to fuel and vapor.

PSD90-1C Universal AC/DC Fuel Capacitance Test Set - Aeroflex

The PSD90-1C Universal AC/DC Capacitance Test Set will test any AC or DC Capacitive Fuel, Water, LOX or Engine Oil Quantity System. The PSD90-1C has new features that allow the user to better troubleshoot and isolate fuel system problems. Rugged in design, the unit can be used anywhere troubleshooting is required. Capable of being operated with external power, the PSD90-1C is ideal for shop or Depot Level repair of fuel system components.

The capacitive method for measuring liquid quantity is proven reliable for decades, even when the aircraft is flown upside down.

This is about isolation of the system in the event of lightning strikes and from a technical standpoint -- simple to resolve.

Any EE here willing to take a stab at this?

 

[indian_foxhound]

Suggest a more rational opinion and perspective based upon relevant experience.

Change Course To Protect F-35 | Defense News | defensenews.com

The F-35 is admitted by everyone in the aviation industry, civilian and military, that it is an ambitious concept/project beyond the F-111 debacle when that aircraft was supposed to be the 'joint' in JSF for its day. The -111's intention was limited by technological constraints. Far less so and perhaps even none for the -35. In terms of avionics, the -111, -14, and -15 with their computer ASSISTED flight controls systems were evolutionary transition, while -16's was a technological leap, not merely an evolutionary transition, and its fly-by-wire avionics were analog when it debuted.

The -35 is all of that and no one else in the world have the gall to even try on paper, let alone the ability, capacity, and ambition to produce a working model. And it is precisely the ambitiousness of the project, despite the balancing out of the successful -16 to the failed -111, that the US received these unwarranted criticisms, much of it rhetorical hyperbole over genuine technical analyses.

Way ambitious concept/project.... lots of flaws comeing back to back

 

[Albatross]

Design flaw in 'Lightning II' F-35B jet raises fears of lightning-induced explosions — RT

This article came from Russia and when it comes to analyze American weapons I dun think anyone is better than them...so as long as yu havnt been inside that fuselage dun say anything

 

[gambit]

Design flaw in 'Lightning II' F-35B jet raises fears of lightning-induced explosions — RT

This article came from Russia and when it comes to analyze American weapons I dun think anyone is better than them...so as long as yu havnt been inside that fuselage dun say anything

I have been inside the fuselages of the -111, -15, -16, and the C-5A where there are many fuel tanks large enough for a man to stand upright. The capacitive fuel measurement and quantity indicator system is the same, only different in the probes. The civilian aviation also uses the same method. I do not care who is the source. If it is wrong, I will call it out.

 

[Albatross]

I have been inside the fuselages of the -111, -15, -16, and the C-5A where there are many fuel tanks large enough for a man to stand upright. The capacitive fuel measurement and quantity indicator system is the same, only different in the probes. The civilian aviation also uses the same method. I do not care who is the source. If it is wrong, I will call it out.

As the article was intended for general public purpose therefore may be they used the word guage instead of sensor or more specifically optical sensors but it does give its message that something is wrong with oxygen measurement in fuel tanks..