On March 20, the first F-35C squadron of the United States Marine Corps, Marine Fighter
Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, received its Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification (SFFOC) at Marine
Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar.
VMFA-314 reached this milestone after working with the U.S. Navy’s F-35C Fleet Replacement
Squadron (FRS), Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125.
They helped the Marines to transition from the F/A-18A++ Hornet to the new F-35C Lightning II.
This is one of the most important development not only for U.S Marines but the U.S Military
as a whole.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes what Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification of
first F-35C squadron - ‘Black Knights’ of the United States Marine Corps really means?
Let’s get started
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Lt. Col. Cedar Hinton, Commanding Officer of VMFA-314 said,
“The ‘Black Knights’ have met or exceeded every challenge faced during this transition,
and I am extremely proud to be a part of this fantastic squadron.
Today’s achievement marks a significant milestone and the beginning of a new chapter
in our storied legacy.
The F-35C advances our capability well into the next generation of fighter-attack aircraft
and will keep our squadron, and our service, relevant for decades to come”,
Viewers may note that the “Black Knights” trained alongside VFA-125 at Naval Air Station
(NAS) Leemore from September 2019 to January 2020.
With the certification attained, the squadron can now fly and train without the supervision
of the FRS.
As noted if the official statement, “The SFFOC process ensures the squadron is manned
with qualified personnel to implement maintenance and safety programs in support of fleet operations.
All transitioning squadrons are required to complete this certification prior to independently
conducting flight operations.”
The squadron will now continue to train in preparation for its first deployment at sea,
which will be the second ever deployment of the F-35C.
It is important to note that the first deployment of F 35 Lighting II will be done by U.S. Navy
in 2021 with the “Argonauts” of VFA-147 integrated into the Carrier Air Wing 2, aboard
the Nimitz-class USS Carl Vinson.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II which is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather
stealth multirole fighters is undergoing final development and testing by the United States.
The F-35 has three main models: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A (CTOL), the short
take-off and vertical-landing F-35B (STOVL), and the catapult-assisted take-off but arrested
recovery, carrier-based F-35C (CATOBAR)
Apart from the United States, the primary customer and financial backer, the United
Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Norway, , Denmark, Turkey (although recently
removed) are also part of the program.
Many other nations like Japan and Israel are also deploying the fighters.
On 2 August 2016, the U.S. Air Force declared its first squadron of F-35A fighters combat-ready.
The fighter aircraft are expected to remain in service till 2050.
F 35 is developed from grounds up to be stealthy.
Its external structure is designed to deflect signals away from the emitting radar which
makes it hard to detect or track.
This is done by having no sharp edges or protruding elements and having a smooth external curvature.
Also, it has a coating of Radar Absorbing Material that reduces the number of signals
getting reflected.
F 35 has low Radar Cross Section or RCS • Against x-band radars, it is stealthy
from front and rear • Against S-band radar, it is stealthy from
the narrow front aspect • Against L-band radar, the limited reduction
is achieved from direct front
Classified techniques have also been used to reduce the heat signature of F 35.
This thermal profile management of the jet makes it difficult for Infrared (IR) homing
missiles to target it.
The F-35C brings stealth technology to the flattops for the first time.
Only two countries are at this moment close to operationally deploy stealth fighters - Russia
and China
Russian president Mr. Putin revealed that a procurement plan is being laid out for acquiring
76 Su-57.
The announcement was made during a meeting on May 15, 2019.
These jets are expected to be deployed by 2028.
The Kremlin previously planned to have 150 of these aircraft in service by 2020.
Viewers may note that the Su 57 program had the backing of India but in April 2018, India
pulled out of the project.
The main reasons were engine issues and unconvincing stealth characteristics.
Su 57 is currently suffering due to engine problems.
Sukhoi originally planned to use an advanced derivative of the Saturn AL-31F engine, found
on its Flankers, for the Su-57.
Su 57 was supposed to have the new AL-41F-1 engine.
But the AL-41F-1 engine ran into technical difficulty and didn’t match the required
performance criteria.
Saturn, the manufacturer is working on a new and more powerful design, known as the Izdeliye
30 or Product 30.
But even this has been facing developmental challenges and may be available for acceptance
testing later this year.
Russia is also facing issues with the stealth characteristic of the aircraft, which is an
important aspect of any true 5th generation fighter.
As reported in Indian media, Indian experts were of the view that the aircraft’s stealth
characteristics could not be improved significantly even with future modifications since it was
flawed at many basic levels.
China currently has only 28 J-20 of which 8 are initial prototypes.
Just like Su 57, the Chengdu J-20 is having engine problems.
China has not perfected its indigenous WS-10 which is used for its Flanker clones; Shenyang
J-11 & J 15, let alone come close to finishing development of the next-generation WS-15 it
would need for the J-20.
Viewers may know J 11 & J 15 are illegal copies of Russian Su 27 & Su 33 respectively.
The WS 10 engine is underpowered and has been a major headache for China.
The WS-15 is currently thought to be in a ground-testing phase, though some reports
state that it has entered limited production.
Without the WS-15 engine, the J-20 can't cruise at supersonic speeds.
In fact, China has not demonstrated it can build any reliable jet engine even with designs
that it basically stole from Russia.
Building engines with indigenous design remains even more distant.
The Chengdu J-20 is thought to be powered by twin Russian-built Saturn AL-31F engines
found on the Sukhoi Su-27 and its Chinese knockoffs.
China has even bought Su 35 which many think was to get access to its engine.
The Chengdu J-20 also seems to have issues with ‘stealth’ like its Russian counterpart.
Reports have emerged that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force managed to detect
the Chinese Chengdu J-20 jet fighter.
Many experts have argued that the J 20 is nothing more than a decorated 4++ generation fighter.
It is clear that American rivals have some distance to cover before they field a stealth
fighter in battle.
The scenario is more distant if we take into account the fact that neither Su 57 nor J
20 can operate from aircraft carriers.
This means that U.S marines will have a distinct edge when it comes to operating from the sea.
'Black Knights' will be integrated and deployed with U.S Navy carrier air wings aboard Nimitz
and Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carriers.
It also has to be taken into consideration, the U.S has a massive lead when it comes to
aircraft carriers both in terms of quantity and quality which will enable it to have a
massive tactical advantage.