F-35 Lightning on Op SHADER

[acw367]

It was announced yesterday that RAF Lightning had undertaken armed missions in Op SHADER over Syria. Having been declared operational in December, 617 Sqn are now conducting operations with the jet. A leap in combat air power. https://mobile.twitter.com/JustinReuter ... 0491718657.

[Surrey Sam]

More info here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hist ... l-missions

[Doughnut]

A leap in combat air power.

It may well be a "giant leap" in air power, but with only six aircraft it is a good job we do not have to "leap" in more than one direction at the same time.
Air power requires strength in numbers and the ability to be in more than one operating area with a small force will not work.
I am glad the F-35 is operational but until MOD purchase the full number of aircraft and required pilots and support the system will always be under stress.

[Vulcan74]

I understand Marham is to get another 5 F-35's this year.

[Viper28]

They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.

[Nighthawke]

The Tornado though is now out of service so time to accept and move on.

[Agent K]

I understand Marham is to get another 5 F-35's this year.

Isn't the OCU moving across this summer, which I assume will be bringing it's aircraft with them?

[Agent K]

They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.

Which of course was doing what a Mosquito did at a fraction of the cost of the Tornado...

[PeteHemsley]

They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.

Which of course was doing what a Mosquito did at a fraction of the cost of the Tornado...

Hmmmmmm, maybe slightly less accurate than the above comment

[acw367]

They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.

Then I suggest you don't understand the ISR capability the networked information EOTS etc. Read this https://www.f35.com/about/capabilities
It is like having a Tornado with Sentinel strapped under one wing and an EF-18 Growler strapped under the other wing.

[Sparts99]

Its a good lead in to work up testing the systems, not just the F-35 itself but all the support that goes with ops away from base. Better this than a baptism of fire in a very hostile environment with advanced air defence and ECM.

[Agent K]

They are not doing anything that a 40-year old Tornado was not doing before at a fraction of the cost
Hardly a test of a 5th generation fighter. Oh and they are only there for 6 weeks rather than a normal 3-4 month deployment.

Which of course was doing what a Mosquito did at a fraction of the cost of the Tornado...

Hmmmmmm, maybe slightly less accurate than the above comment

It was said with a little bit of tongue in cheek...... but also making a point........

[Vulcan74]

Well the tornado had a good innings now it's time to move on, just like the kingair!!!

[Blackcat1]

I thought IS had been defeated?

[Hawkwind26]

I thought IS had been defeated?

I do hope so, but we've thought that with other extremists. They just go underground, regroup and occassionally appear as cowards. Battle maybe over but conflict sadly will continue, whether religion, oil or power. I hope the F35s fly as guardians, police and deterrents but never have to be called in a war

[Blackcat1]

A few have been been found in Nicaragua trying to get to the USA! According to the BBBC