F-16.net

I thought in the "light carrier" mode they had more like 20-ish.

“B-2 SPIRIT bomber aircraft from the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) visited Australia during July and August as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) program. Several PACAF KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft supported the B-2 Spirit aircraft, providing refuelling capability. The EAC commenced in February 2017, to build on a broad range of long-standing air exercises and training activities undertaken between Australia and the United States. The aircraft conducted a range of tasks, including force generation and integration training with various RAAF aircraft and assets. For instance, in July, two B-2 aircraft flew a Bomber Task Force mission alongside two RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft over RAAF Base Curtin during Exercise Koolendong; an annual bilateral warfighting exercise in Northern Australia. EAC program training helps deepen air-to-air integration between the ADF and United States air elements to enable us to operate together seamlessly.”

Source: https://downloads.realviewdigital.com/p ... 1-2022.pdf

sferrin wrote:I thought in the "light carrier" mode they had more like 20-ish.

I always interpreted that "20-ish" figure as an upper limit: the Lightning-carrier concept can put upwards of 20+ F-35B's on a LHA-type ship (older LHD too?) But as the traditional number of fixed wing assets (e.g. Harriers) was typically only six, anytime an LHA was carrying 12+ (10?) Lightnings... it was operating in the Lightning-carrier mode. FWIW.

'WHITE WEDDING' :



Billy IDOL? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZQaYKZMTI :roll

[1:09]

(From the same airshow as the vapor shot above.)

Great stuff. Good to hear just the NOISE without music/commentators babbling.

Pierre Sprey (and others) must cringe every time this thing takes to the air. He never did retract his statements about the now infamous "can't run", "can't climb", "can't turn" assessment. There was plenty of evidence that was a fallacy by the time of his death too, in August, 2021.

Instead, he'll go down in history as the guy who drastically under-estimated new aircraft, prior to their completed development. He might even reach verb status.

Secretary of Defense Bill Gates got Sprey'd as the Chinese J-20 flew right over his head.

mixelflick wrote:Pierre Sprey (and others) must cringe every time this thing takes to the air. He never did retract his statements about the now infamous "can't run", "can't climb", "can't turn" assessment. There was plenty of evidence that was a fallacy by the time of his death too, in August, 2021.

Instead, he'll go down in history as the guy who drastically under-estimated new aircraft, prior to their completed development. He might even reach verb status.

Secretary of Defense Bill Gates got Sprey'd as the Chinese J-20 flew right over his head.

Funny, we don't hear from the likes of Winslow Wheeler, Bill Sweetman, or even ELP anymore!

WAVE OFF - WAVE OFF - WAVE OFF! photo F-35C DT-1 2014:



Source: http://navalaviationnews.navylive.dodli ... 14_web.pdf (5Mb)

According to AIR International February 2023 Vol 104 No 2 the photo above was taken by "US Air Force F-35A Lightning II 11-5021 ‘WA’/’65 AGRS’ USAF/Airman 1st Class Josey Blades"