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Lockheed Martin F-35 (JSF)
Type
Strike fighter (Jagdbomber)
Country (Land)
USA
Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Lockheed Boulevard, PO Box 748
Fort Worth, Texas 76108
USA
Phone: 001-817/777-2000
Fax: 001-817/763-4797
Lockheed Martin has enlisted Northrop Grumman (May 8, 1997) and British Aerospace (June 18, 1997) as principal partners in the JSF programme. Within Lockheed Martin, the sites at Forth Worth (Texas), Marietta (Georgia) and Palmdale (California) are involved.
General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Weapons (Bewaffnung): The F-35 (JSF) has two internal weapons bays in the fuselage for the carriage of two bombs (up to 1135 kg) and two AIM-120 AMRAAMS. Three external hardpoints under each wing (2270 kg, 1135 kg, 136 kg), one under the fuselage (450 kg) and missile rails on the wingtips (135 kg) are provided for non-stealthy missions. Lockheed Martin lists the following weapons for internal carriage:
* 27 mm Mauser cannon
* 450 kg bomb from UK
* AGM-114 Hellfire/Brimstone
* AGM-154 JSOW (glide bomb, 450 kg)
* AIM-120A/B/C AMRAAM
* AIM-135 ASRAAM
* BSU-33
* BSU-49 Ballute
* BSU-85 Ballute (1000 lbs)
* BSU-86/B (mine)
* CBU-103/104/105 (WCDM)
* CBU-78/B Gator
* CBU-87/89/97
* GBU-12 Paveway II
* GBU-31 JDAM (907 kg) und GBU-31 JDAM PIP, diverse Gefechtsköpfe
* GBU-32 JDAM (450 kg) und GBU-32 JDAM PIP
* Mk.20 Rockeye (Cluster Bomb, 250 kg)
* Mk.62 Quickstrike mine
* Mk.63 Quickstrike (mine)
* Mk.82 bomb (500 lbs)
* Mk.83 bomb (1000 lbs)
* Mk.84 bomb (2000 lbs)
* UK 1000 lbs bomb
* UK 540 lbs LDGB
On the external stations, the following missiles, bombs and tanks can be carried (an den Außenlaststationen können folgende Lenkwaffen, Bomben und Tanks mitgeführt werden):
- 1815 litre-tank, 2270 litre-tank
- AGM-158 JASSM
- AGM-65 Maverick
- AGM-84D-1 Harpoon
- AGM-84H SLAM-ER
- AGM-88 HARM
- AIM-9X Sidewinder
- BDU-57/58/60 laser-guided training round
- BSU50 Ballute (bomb)
- GBU-10 Paveway II
- GBU-16 Paveway II
- GBU-24/B Paveway III with Mk.84 and BLU-109-warheads
- Gun pod
- LAU-10 Rocket Pod
- LAU-61 Rocket Pod
- MXU-648 Cargo Pod
- Storm Shadow
- SUU-20/SUU-5003 practice bomb and rocket dispenser
- UK Paveway II
Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan (F119-PW-100 derivative with scaled-up fan and additional low-pressure turbine stage). Later on, the General Electric F136 will be offered as an option.
Thrust (Schub): 1 x ca. 179 kN (40000 lbs) maximum.
For short take-offs and vertical landings, a clutch is engaged to drive a vertical lift fan via a shaft from the front of the engine. The lift fan, developed by Rolls-Royce, will have 18500 lbs (82 kN) of thrust. For the STOVL version, the F135 has a special nozzle to redirect thrust downwards.
Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 15,48 m for CV-version, 15,37 m for CTOL and STOVL
Height (Höhe): 4,57 m
Span (Spannweite): 10,67 m for CTOL and STOVL, 13,11 m for CV (wing fold if necessary)
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 42,7 sq m or 57,6 sq m for the carrier version
Weights (Massen)
Internal fuel (Kraftstoff intern):
- 6080 kg for the STOVL version
- 8300 kg for the CTOL version for the Air Force
- 8663 kg for the carrier version
External stores capacity (Außenlasten): 6805 kg
Maximum design gross take-off weight (max. Startmasse): about 27215 kg
Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): around (etwa) Mach 1.6+
Combat radius (Einsatzradius), estimated in early 2002:
- 920 km (496 NM) for the F-35B
- 1300 km (703 NM) for the F-35A
- 1480 km (799 NM) for the F-35C
g-load: 9 g
Customers (Kunden)
Two X-35 demonstrators were built under a Pentagon contract. According to the Quadrennial Defence Review published by the Pentagon in May 1997, potential customer needs are:
- US Air Force:
1763 (instead of 2036) as primary air-to-ground fighter to replace the F-16 and A-10 and to complement the F-22
- US Marine Corps:
609 (instead of 642) of the STOVL version to replace the AV-8B and F/A-18C/D
- US Navy:
480 (instead of 250 to 300) of the carrier capable version as a highly survivable strike fighter to complement the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- Royal Navy (UK) and Royal Air Force:
150 to replace the Harrier GR.7 and the Sea Harrier. Earlier plans called only for 60 of the STOVL version as a supersonic replacement to the Sea Harrier. The acquisition is expected to be worth 10 billion Pounds.
In the 2004 defence budget proposals, only 2450 instead of 2825 JSFs were projected. This came as the Navy and the Marine Corps work towards combining their aviation elements.
Also, a host of other nations is participating in the so called SDD phase, but most of these have not yet fully defined their requirements.
In early 2002, Lockheed Martin estimated 2000 to 3000 international sales for the F-35.
Costs (Kosten)
One of the prime design aims of the F-35 is affordability. Unit flyaway costs were given as 37 to 48 million US-Dollars (2001 conditions). Customers other than the partner will have to pay an additional 6 to 7 million Dollars as a non-recurring cost recoupment charge.
The overall value of the Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase is 18,982 billion US-Dollars in an cost plus award fee contract. Pratt & Whitney is developing the F135 engine for 4,803 billion US-Dollars.
Total program costs were put at 226,458 billion US-Dollars in early 2003.
The UK buy for 150 of the STOVL variants was said to cost 10 billion Pounds in October 2002.
Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Eurofighter Typhoon
Dassault Rafale
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The F-35 is designed to perform all-weather precision strikes while surviving in hostile environment thanks to its low-observable (stealth) characteristics. It will replace fighter and attack aircraft like AV-8B Harrier, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-14, F/A-18 Hornet and older F-16s. In US service, the F-35 will complement the F/A-22 Raptor and the F/A-18E/F.
The F-35 features advanced technology in all aspects of the design, among them:
- stealth, achieved through external shaping and radar-absorbing materials.
- extensive use of composite materials in the structure
- cockpit with 20 inch wide flat-screen monitor. There is no HuD, but the Pilot will wear a helmet mounted display. Voice command will be possible.
- AESA radar (advanced electronically scanned array) from Northrop Grumman, with agile beam stearing
- internal electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) under the nose for long-range detection and targeting.
- Distributed Aperture System (DAS) wisth sensors fitted at numerous locations on the aircraft,
- internal weapon bays located between the main landing gears
- innovative Prognostics and Health Management System. It will allow in-flight transmission of maintenance and battle-damage information
Three variants of the common basic design are planned to meet the needs of the US services:
- F-35A / CTOL
(conventional take-off and landing), a multi-role strike fighter for use from normal airfields
- F-35B / STOVL
(short take-off/vertical landing), for use from unprepared strips, operating with the expeditionary forces of the US Marine Corps. Also choosen by the Royal Navy for carrier operations. It has a lift-fan behind the cockpit and a rotating nozzle in the tail to achieve vertical flight.
- F-35C / CV
(carrier-suitable variant) for use from large US aircraft carriers. It has larger wing and tail surfaces that enable better handling qualities on approach. The structure is beefed up for the rigours of carrier landings.
According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 has growth capability. Future versions may include one- or two-seat electronic-attack aircraft. In the fall of 2002, a variant with a directed energy (laser) weapon was the subject of a separate study by the US Government.
The F-35 is developed in international partnership. There are different levels of participation (levels 1 – 3 and Security Co-operation Participant). Participating nations are:
- United States: Pays the lion share of development (around 15 billion Dollar) and leads the programme.
- United Kingdom: Level 1. The country contributes 2 billion Pounds to the SDD phase.
- Netherlands: Level 2. Invests 800 million Dollars (848 mio. Euro). Secretary of State for Defence Henk A.L. van Hoof signed the MOU document on 5 June 2002, with the Pentagon countersigning on 10 June. The documents were exchanged on 17 June in Washington. An agreement of principles was signed in April 2002.
- Italy: Level 2. Invests 1,028 billion US-Dollars. A memorandum of Understanding was signed on 24 June 2002 by the National Armaments Director Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola and Pete Aldridge from the Pentagon. Five Italian Air Force and Navy personnel are assigned to the JSF programme office.
- Canada: Level 3. Invests 150 million Dollars. The MoU was signed on 7 February 2002 by Assistant Deputy Minister for Materiel Allan Williams. It covers a ten year period.
- Denmark: Level 3. Invests 125 million Dollars. The MoU was signed on 28 May 2002 in Washington by National Armaments Director Jorgen Hansen-Nord. The commitment goes through 2012 and does not commit Denmark to buy the aircraft.
- Norway: Level 3. Invests 137 million Dollars (1016 billion NKr). Norwegian National Armaments Director Leif Lindback signed an MoU with Aldridge on 20 June 2002.
- Turkey: Level 3. Invests around 175 million Dollars. Turkish Undersecretary for Defence Industries Dursun Ali Ercan signed an MoU with Aldridge on 11 July 2002. Turkey earlier had commited 6,2 million Dollars for the JSF concept demonstration phase.
- Australia: Level 3. Invests 150 million US-Dollars. Defence minister Robert Hill and his counterpart Donald Rumsfeld signed a Minsterial Exchange of Letters on 29 October 2002. Australia thus became the eighth and final development partner.
- Israel: SCP. Israel signed a letter of intent on 13 February 2003 as a Security Co-operation Participant. It outlined the Israeli configuration and possible procurement beginning in 2012.
- Singapore: SCP. Signed a letter of intent as a Security Co-operation Participant on 22 February 2003 as the first nation in Asia. It has earmarked around 50 million Dollars for access to data and systems studies.
On the industrial side, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems are sharing the work as follows:
- Lockheed Martin:
Prime contractor and systems integration, final assembly. Nose, cockpit section, wings, leading edges of the tails (stealth considerations), mission systems, vehicle systems, autonomic logistics, training systems
- Norhtrop Grumman:
center fuselage, weapons bay door drives, arresting gear, CV control and test, mission system software, LO support system, training courseware and management system, radar
- BAE Systems:
aft fuselage, horizontal and vertical tails, wing extension for CV version and CV wing fold, fuel system, crew escape, UK requirements/stores, life support, STOVL control and test, UK support center, electronic warfare system, flight control computer
On top of the three core partners, Lockheed Martin is building up a worldwide team of suppliers. As of early 2003, the list included:
- Alenia (Italy): wing box for every JSF ordered by the Italian armed forces and for half of those ordered by the US and Britain
- Ametek Aerospace (Paoli, PA): suite of eight engine sensors as subcontractor to Hamilton Sundstrand
- Avionics Specialties (Charlotteville, VA): air data system
- BAE Systems (Nashua, NY): Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures
- BAE Systems (Rochester, UK): active inceptor system
- BAE Systems (Johnson City, NY): vehicle management computer
- Dunlop Aircraft Tyres (Birmingham, UK): radial main tyres for the STOVL version, as subcontractor to Honeywell Aircraft Landing Systems
- Eaton Aerospace (Jackson, MS): Hydraulic Power Generation System, Fluid delivery system for the wing
- EDO (North Amityville, NY): stores and release system
- Fokker-Aerostructures (Netherlands): airframe fabrication
- Fokker-Elmo (Netherlands): wire harnesses
- General Dynamics ATP (Burlington, VT): gun system
- General Dynamics (Marion, VA): Radome
- Goodrich (Cleveland, OH): landing gear system
- Hamble Structures (Southampton, UK): integrated canopy frame assembly
- Hamilton Sundstran (Rockford, IL): electrical power generation system
- Harris Corp. (Palm Beach, FL): Common components
- Honeywell ((Phoenix, AZ): Power Thermal Management System (PTMS)
- Honeywell NormalAir Garret (Yeovil, UK): OBOGS
- Indigo Systems (Goleta, CA): infrared Integrated Detective Assemblies for the DAS, as a subcontractor to Northrop Grumman
- Kaiser Electronics (San Jose, CA): Multifunction Display
- Kidde Aerospace (Wilson, NC): fire protection system
- LMIS (Orlando, FL): trainers/simulators
- BAE Systems (Orlando, FL): electro-optical targeting system
- LMM&FC/NG ESSS (Orlando, FL): electro-optical distributed aperture system
- LMTS (Eagan, MN): Integrated Core Processor (ICP)
- Magellan Aerospace (Canada): Four modules of the vertical lift fan as a subcontract to Rolls-Royce
- Martin Baker (UK): ejection seat
- McCormick Selph: Transparency Removal System (TRS)
- Moog (Torrance, CA): wing fold actuation
- Moog/Curtiss Wright (Torrance, CA): Leading-Edge Flap Drive (LEFD)
- Moog/Parker (East Aurora, NY): Elecrohydrostatic Actuation System (EHAS)
- Northrop Grumman ES (Linthicum, MD): radar
- Parker Aerospace (Irvine, CA): fuel system
- Pilkington Aerospace (Garden Grove, CA): Transparency
- Smiths Industries (Whippany, NJ): Tactical Data Equipment (TDE)
- Smiths Industries (Cheltenham, UK): Remote Input Output (RIO)
- Smiths Industries (Cheltenham, UK): Electric Power Management System (EPMS)
- TRW Aeronautical Systems (Wolverhampton, UK): Weapons Bay Door Drive (inboard)
- TRW/Rockwell Collins: Communication, Navigation, Identification (CNI)
- Vought Aircraft Industries: lower wing skins
- VSI (San Jose, CA): Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD)
Lockheed Martin is designing in fabrication efficiency. Modular assembly techniques and high-sped fabrication have been validated, and assembly span time should be dramatically shorter than that of current fighter aircraft. Production capacity at Fort Worth is set at 17 to 22 aircraft a month.
History (Geschichte)
Lockheed Martin was declared the winner of the JSF competition on 26 October 2001 after an evaluation of its design proposals and a flight demonstration of its two X-35s against the two Boeing X-32s.
The company immediately started the 126 month-long SDD phase (System Development and Demonstration), which involves the construction of 14 flight test aircraft and 8 test articles:
- 5 x CTOL aircraft
- 4 x STOVL aircraft, two for flight sciences and two for mission system testing
- 5 x CV aircraft
- 6 x static test articles for fatigue and load tests
- 1 x CTOL pole test model for cross section measurement
- 1 x CV drop test airframe
The first major programme milestone (ASRR) was completed on 6 February 2002.
The Integrated Baseline Review, which affirms the programmes schedule and cost management, was completed in six months.
On 27 June 2002, the aircraft mold lines (outer shape) was frozen. Changes compared to the X-35 demonstrators included:
- extending the forward fuselage 5 inches to better accomodate sensors and avionics
- raising about 1 inch the top surface of the aircraft along the centerline, to get in more fuel
- adding slightly more twist to the camber of the CV wing, to improve handling qualities and transonic performance
- adjusting the position of the vertical tails slightly to improve aerodynamic performance
- the inlet ducts had been reduced in length earlier in the design process
- the door for the lift fan will now be hinged aft to act as an air inlet during forward flight
The preliminary design review of the F-35 was started in November 2002 at the component level and worked through subsystems etc, culminating in a total PDR of the air vehicle, airframe and mission systems by the end of March 2003. During the PDR process it was apparently discovered that the airframe weight was too high, with special teams formed to combat the problem.
A final critical design review is planned for 2004, covering CTOL and STOL variants. The CDR for the carrier version F-35C will follow in 2005.
The first pre-production aircraft is scheduled to fly in the autumn of 2005, 43 months after SDD start. It will be a CTOL aircraft, used for handling qualities work.
The first STOVL aircraft is to fly in early 2006, starting with a hover. Sea trials aboard US and UK carriers will be conducted in mid-2007 and early 2008.
CV flight tests will start around October 2006. The first US Navy sea trials will begin in late 2007.
Flight tests will be conducted at Edwards AFB and at Patuxent River NAS. A total of 10000 flight hours are foreseen.
LRIP 1 production (10 aircraft) should start in mid-2006, followed by LRIP 2 (22 aircraft) in 2007, LRIP 3 (54 aircraft) in 2008, LRIP 4 (91 aircraft) in 2009, LRIP 5 (120 aircraft) in 2010 and LRIP 6 (168 aircraft) in 2011.
The first operational F-35 is scheduled for delivery in 2008.
In the fall of 2002, Lockheed Martin mentioned the following IOC (initial operational capability) dates:
- US Marine Corps: autumn 2010
- US Air Force: autumn 2011
- US Navy: autumn 2012
- Royal Navy/Royal Air Force: 2012
With JSF, the US forces will have a block approach:
* Block 1: basic capability with JDAM and AIM-120
* Block 2: more refined mission software, more weapons certified
* Block 3: 100 per cent of mission software, all the hardware certified
The alternate engine from General Electric will be available from 2013. First plans called for 2011, but it seems that money shortages will lead to a delay.
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