The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced stealth fighter in the United States and one of the most expensive in the world. However, this fighter is not flawless, and it has also had a number of accidents, resulting in damage or scrapping of some aircraft. So, are these damaged F-35s worthless? The U.S. Air Force's maintenance experts have come up with a surprising answer: they are trying to stitch together two F-35 fighters damaged by an accident into a fully restored F-35A fighter. What kind of project is it, what kind of people and equipment does it need, and what are its implications and challenges?
The project was led by the F-35 JPO Joint Project Office, with the participation of the 388 Fighter Wing, and professionals from the Ogden Air Force Logistics Complex. The F-35 JPO is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense that manages and coordinates the development, procurement, maintenance, and operation of the F-35 fighter. The 388 Fighter Wing is a combat unit of the U.S. Air Force, based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, and was one of the first units of the U.S. Air Force to be equipped with F-35 fighters. Ogden Air Force Logistics Complex is a logistics arm of the United States Air Force that provides maintenance and modification services to a wide range of aircraft in the United States Air Force.
The aim of this project is to rebuild an F-35A fighter (numbered AF-211) that had an accident with a nose landing gear separation in June 2020 into a fully operational F-35A fighter. To achieve this, they needed to replace the damaged front of the AF-211 with the undamaged front of another F-35A fighter (numbered AF-27) that had a serious engine fire at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida in 2014. The AF-27 is now used at Hill Air Force Base as an Air Force Combat Damage and Repair Trainer, where it can be used to train maintenance crews on how to repair damaged F-35 fighters on the battlefield.
This project is the first attempt at the F-35 program and a very exciting one. It takes advantage of the new opportunities sought by the F-35 JPO over the past few years to recycle usable components and systems from damaged F-35 fighters, bringing ongoing benefits to the maintenance and operation of the F-35. For example, the F-35 JPO used parts of a damaged F-35 fighter to establish the first F-35 maintenance personnel training facility, and also used parts of a damaged F-35 fighter to restore an F-35 fighter's aerial combat damage and repair trainer. These projects provide valuable experience and resources for F-35 maintenance personnel.
To complete this project, the F-35 JPO also created a new Mobile Maintenance System (MMS) to support damaged or donated parts during the disassembly and reassembly of aircraft components. An MMS is a movable platform on which aircraft parts can be fixed and then lifted or lowered by a crane. MMS is designed and manufactured to accommodate different aircraft models and configurations, as well as for other types of aircraft maintenance and modifications.
According to the F-35 JPO, at present, the damaged front part of the AF-211 has been successfully disassembled, and the lossless front part of the AF-27 has also been successfully hoisted in preparation for docking with the rear part of the AF-211. This process requires very precise and meticulous operations to ensure the alignment and connection of aircraft components. After the docking is completed, a series of inspections and tests are also required to ensure the integrity and normalcy of the structure and function of the aircraft. If all goes well, the rebuilt F-35A will resume flying early next year, rejoining the operational sequence of the 388 Fighter Wing.
What is the significance and challenge of this project? The significance of this project is that it demonstrates the ability to innovate and economize, it uses existing resources and technology to put together two scrapped fighters into a brand new fighter, and provides a new solution and paradigm for the maintenance and operation of F-35 fighters.
Of course, this project is not without its challenges. First of all, the challenge of this project is that it requires a high degree of technical and professional personnel, it involves many aspects of the structure and function of the aircraft, requires precise and meticulous operation and inspection, and any mistake or negligence in any link can lead to damage or failure of the aircraft.
Secondly, the challenge of this project is that it requires a lot of time and resources, it needs to use a variety of equipment and tools, it needs to occupy a lot of space and space, it needs to consume a lot of money and materials, and the lack or lack of any one factor can lead to the delay or failure of the project. Finally, the challenge of this project is that it needs to face doubts and criticism, and some may see this project as a waste and show-off, which reflects the immaturity and unreliability of the F-35 fighter jet, which increases the risk and burden of the US Air Force. These people may ask, why not just buy a new F-35 fighter jet and spend so much time and resources to repair an old F-35 fighter? Why use two scrapped fighters to make a brand new fighter instead of replacing a damaged fighter with a good one? Why equip the U.S. Air Force with a problematic fighter instead of a proven fighter to ensure the safety and superiority of the U.S. Air Force?
These questions may seem reasonable, but in fact they lack facts and logic. First of all, this project is not a waste and a show-off, but a saving and innovation. It uses existing resources and technology to put together two scrapped fighters into a brand new one, providing a new scenario and paradigm for the maintenance and operation of F-35 fighters. It not only saves the cost of buying a new F-35 fighter, but most importantly provides valuable experience and resources for the maintenance personnel of the F-35 fighter.
Secondly, this project does not reflect the immaturity and unreliability of the F-35 fighter, but the development and progress of the F-35 fighter. Actively seeking solutions and improvements, in the end, this project did not increase the risk and burden of the US Air Force, but increased the confidence and determination of the US Air Force. It requires the joint efforts and cooperation of multiple departments and units to accomplish such a complex and arduous task, providing a new platform and opportunity for the development and application of the F-35 fighter.
This project is a very meaningful and valuable project, which provides a new idea and method for the maintenance and operation of the F-35 fighter, and it provides a new support and guarantee for the development and application of the F-35 fighter.
The success of the project depends not only on the efforts and contributions of the US Air Force, but also on the performance and quality of the F-35 fighters, on the international situation and environment, and on the attitude and feedback of the public. #Fighter ##Military Fan Express##Fighter ##军事#