First production F-35 off the line
 

I love the JSF. :P It's hard to tell from the photos but it looks like it may be the Airforce variant of the F-35.

is that really the color of it?

The F-35 is a multi-role airframe designed to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F/A-18 Hornet and F-16 Fighting Falcon/Viper. The F-35 will be available in three variants:

F-35A: Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL)
F-35B: Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL)
F-35C: Carrier Based Variant (CV)

The F-35A will be the lightest of the bunch as it is the most conventional design. It will take off and land like a typical modern day fighter (i.e. F-22 Raptor). The F-35B will be the most complex design as it will have an exhaust nozzle that can rotate down 90 degrees and can be used in conjunction with a lift fan located behind the cockpit to accomplish vertical take-offs and landings. The F-35C variant is destined to naval service and will feature larger wings and control surfaces along with a beefed up undercarriage to handle carrier duties.

BTW...nothing will replace the Fairchild OA-10 II Thuderbolt [warthog]. That flimsy little thing of a fighter wont beable to take the abuse of low flying tank killing or troop support missons. Besides, if you put the GAU-8A Cannon in that thing[F-35], it would rip right out the back end of the aircraft. Atop the fact that only has one engine and the electronic suite on that isnt FBW[flybywire], therefore if it took any flak or ground fire, it would be toast. There have been times when the Hogs have came back on barely two wings and one engine. It is the most formitable low flying ground attack aircraft ever created, and unless they come up with something just as burly, the A-10 will be around, even in the reserves for a long time. Just my .02 from working side by side with AF Warthog pilots.

meet your maker osama!!!! LOL

oh I want one

Good now that the F/A-18E/F'ers will have to STFU about being the newest bla-bla-bla.

RIP F-14's

I hope they are still planning on using the F22 Raptor. The 35 is definitely an awesome aircraft, but the F22 is even better!!!

I still like the good ol' F-15. IIRC, the F-22 doesn't match all the power/climb rate numbers of the F-15. It'll be a sad day when they retire the last Eagle.

Yea, its too bad the F-14 got discontinued. Fastest Strike long range air to air, interceptor the navy had to play with. and it had the 124 mile est stand off AIM-54[i think] Phoenix missle. I wonder what platform will carry that weapon if any. I doubt the F-35 can carry that big of a missle, being it was made exclusively for the tomcats.

The Tomahawk is a cruise missle. The AIM-54 is called the Phoenix ;)

Yea, I was updating some other info on that post when you posted before I could correct it :P

edit # 400..lol: the AIM -155 is being made for the F-35 and other multipurpose VTOL aircraft..ie Harrier as a replacement for the AIM-54.

Lol.... you gotta be quick around here! The funny thing is, we traded those last posts within 3 minutes of each other!

I like the F-35, but may I present the reason why the f-35 will be the worst group support fighter of all. Because it cannot carry this. http://www.nazarian.no/wep.asp?id=40..._id=181&lang=0

Hehehe.... long live the Hog!

No engine in those pics yet. Just an empty fuselage.

Probably off for the final paint.

All of the reactions I've seen from test pilot's first flight in the F-22 include comments about how powerful it felt on take-off. Even if it has less power than an F-15, with it's thrust vectoring engines, stealth, and supercruise it's no competetion. They ran a simulation and ONE F-22 took out FIVE F-15s in a matter of minutes, and the F-15 pilots said they never saw it. The F-15 still has it's appeal though, and will be missed when it's eventually phased out.

I agree with the rest of you, the A-10 is still better than the F-35 for flying in close and taking out tanks and large groups of ground personnel.

The A10 is a totally different concept. That's like comparing one of us against a Ferrarri.

The A10 is an Attack aircraft. It was built for one thing, and one thing only. Blowing up crap on the ground. Don't get me wrong, after watching a couple in action, and talking to a few pilots, I still think the A10 is the baddest MoFo in it's field.

The F22 and F35 are fighters. Their primary job is air to air, but can be fitted for other roles. They are gonna be the baddest MoFo's in thier field....

I understand that completely, but I was just clarifying for Sonoma that the F-35 is not a ground supprt/attack based platform.

I can't wait till the Navy gets them cause...
Attachment 68862

RIP F-14's!