A customised Israeli F-35, known as an Adir
Introduction – Feb 27, 2021
The IDF looks set to receive more top-line U.S. military hardware, much of it no doubt heavily subsidised by U.S. taxpayers. The hardware includes advanced munitions, heavy-lift helicopters and a third squadron of F-35s made to IDF specifications, and Boeing aerial refuelling tankers.
These last few items would be crucial if Israel were to strike Iran and we would suggest that is precisely why it is acquiring them; with a view to launching long-range air strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Right now that would be a bit of a stretch for the Israeli Air Force operating on its own. However, with another squadron of F-35s and new aerial refuelling tankers the IDF could pull this off with little or no U.S. support. Although this assumes that the F-35 will perform faultlessly and dupe Iran’s extensive air defences.
However, Iran today is far more formidable than Iraq at the time of Israel’s air strike on its unfinished nuclear reactor. So there is absolutely no guarantee that Israel could accomplish this on its own
In which case the U.S. would then be expected to step in and protect Israel from Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes. Ed.
Israeli Air Force Could Soon Have More F-35 Fighters
Caleb Larson – 1945.com Feb 23, 2021
Israel, a major operator of American military equipment and platforms, will be importing even more equipment top-of-the-line air force hardware and more from the United States.
In a recent tweet, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced a large acquisition deal signed with the U.S. saying “Following gov. approval of the IDF acquisition plan, the MOD has begun to construct procurement programs. These are conducted with US Military channels, utilizing Foreign Military Financing. The first LOA was signed over the weekend for the procurement of 2 Boeing Tanker Jets.”
The tankers would in all likelihood be KC-46 aircraft, a Boeing project that has been described by one Air Force general as a lemon due to astronomical cost overruns and mechanical issues with the new tanker design. Instead of opting for a rear-facing window with which to direct the tanker’s refueling boom, the KC-46 opted for a complex camera and computer system that required an expensive redesign to ensure safe operation.
In addition to the KC-46, Israel is preparing to likely procure a third F-35I squadron and a heavy-lift capability. “Similar processes will be launched to acquire a third F35 squadron, heavy-lift Helicopters to replace the CH53 Yasur fleet, advanced munitions and more.”
Coming Soon to the Israeli Air Force: More F-35s?
The F-35I is the Israeli version of the United States’ F-35 stealth fighter and the only export version that has been cleared for customization by the United States. In addition to supporting Israeli software, the Israeli Air Force would eventually like to integrate conformal fuel tanks onto the stealth fighter’s airframe to extend range without compromising its stealth characteristics.
It has been suggested that Israeli KC-46s could also be tailor-made to Israeli specifications like the F-35Is have been, which may circumvent the design issues experienced by the platform, although that remains to be seen.
The IDF underlined the closeness of the U.S.-Israeli defense relationship, stating that “the procurement plan based on U.S. security assistance is crucial to strengthening the IAF and for the IDF’s QME (Qualitative Military Edge) in the decades to come.” Israeli currently operates CH-53 a powerful though somewhat aged heavy-lift cargo and assault helicopter. It is unclear which direction Israel will go for their heavy lift replacement.
The Israeli Minister of Defense Bnei Gantz emphasized the importance of this deal for Israel, stating, “I welcome the progress in procurement, which is critical at this point in time. This is a plan that is a cornerstone of the IDF’s security concept. I would like to thank our great friend, the United States, for her support of the State of Israel, at all levels. We will continue to work to complete the agreements that will allow the IDF to fulfill its mission, and move forward with the tasks facing us in various arenas, near and far.”
Many F35 orders are been reduced. Even the UK has cut its initial order of F35’s. The US, UK, and Israel do not operate within the accepted laws of economics. Their time is coming to an end. Here in bankrupt Britain, Rishi Sunak plans to use even more taxpayers money (debt) to fund mortgage deposits of just 5% so that thicko sheeple can buy houses that are priced 50% over their real value. I think 50% is a bit low, but there you go. The UK is considering a 3rd redundant aircraft carrier, just another corporate lush. Biden’s Covid relief bill… how many defense contracts are buried in the small print?
I’m no aero-engineer but when I look at the above image of that F-35 and add the small wing surface areas to the smaller rear wing surface areas they just doesn’t look enough to give efficient lift to a single-engined fighter aircraft that’s supposed to dog-fight and roll and all the rest of it. It would surely have made more economic sense, and likely improve the results, if the whole F-35 program had instead gone on to develop three new aircraft–jet fighter, jet bomber and ground attack–instead of one which can not only not do all of them, but so far can’t do any.
I think the US used its brute economic might to force its allies to co-invest in this flying pig, because it’s most unlikely any air force or naval fleet procurement officers would have shown any interest in it all.
With civilian aircraft and most other types, although the central body is naturally streamlined it doesn’t produce lift, and so the wings have to be larger to lift that central frame. The development of “flying wing” aircraft got rid of the central body so the whole aircraft gave lift to carry more weapons or more fuel. The F-35 seems to me too low a ratio between central airframe and wings and never did look like a performer.