Excessive landing speed, issues with Software, Helmet and Oxygen and ineffective simulator training behind last May F-35A crash at Eglin

GERMAN AIR FORCE “PREFERRED CHOICE” TO REPLACE ITS TORNADO FIGHTER BOMBERS IS THE F-35 LIGHTNING II

By Dario Leone
Nov 11 2017
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According to a German Air Force official, the Lightning II can satisfy most of Germany’s requirements and offer other benefits as well

The Luftwaffe (German Air Force) has a shortlist of existing platforms to replace its Panavia Tornado fighter bombers from 2025 to 2030, but the service “preferred choice” is the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, a German Air Force official said at the International Fighter Conference on Nov. 8.

According to the same official in fact, the Lightning II can satisfy most of Germany’s requirements and offer other benefits as well.

“The Tornado replacement needs to be fifth-generation aircraft that can be detected as late as possible, if at all. It must be able to identify targets from a long way off and to target them as soon as possible.

“The German Ministry of Defence [MoD] is looking at several aircraft today, including the F-35 – it is commercially available already, has been ordered by many nations and is being introduced into service today, and has most of the capabilities required.”

F-35A print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-35A Lighning II 56th OG, 61st FS, LF/12-5050 / 2014
German Air Force "preferred choice" to replace its Tornado fighter bombers is the F-35 Lightning II

As reported by Jane’s, Germany had previously engaged Airbus Defence and Space (DS) in defining the requirements for a future Tornado replacement under its Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme. However, the timelines involved of an anticipated retirement of the Tornado in about 2030 has caused the Luftwaffe to look instead at an already developed platform. As the official explained, “The timeframe suggests we need to start introducing successor in about 2025 to cover the Tornado retirement in 2030 – we need a five-year transition phase. That is only seven years away, and so it is very unlikely that industry could develop and introduce an entirely new aircraft type that fulfils the functionalities that we require. History show that the Eurofighter took 25 years before the first aircraft was introduced.”

Photo credit: Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane and Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese / U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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