Mastering the Skies: The F-35 Lightning's Journey to Technological Supremacy

Prepare to unlock the secrets of the F-35 Lightning's transformation in modern warfare, a journey that has established it as a linchpin of aerial dominance. This episode takes you from the fighter jet's roots, replacing legacy fighters, to a sophisticated combat information node, integrating the latest technological marvels to secure its supremacy in the skies. With the rollout of the Technology Refresh 3 (TR3) and Block 4 upgrades, we'll reveal how these enhancements fortify its processing prowess, software sophistication, and electronic warfare might. Despite the challenges and hitches faced along the way, these refinements are essential for the F-35 to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive battlefield.

Join us as we scrutinize the critical power and cooling upgrades that allow the F-35 to wield these advanced electronics with ease. We’ll discuss Pratt & Whitney's pivotal role in the Engine Core Upgrade Program, which promises to boost the F-135 engine's performance to new heights. The global demand for the F-35 is on the rise, and we take a strategic look at its deployment across contentious regions from the Middle East to the Asia Pacific. As tensions simmer and nations seek robust deterrence capabilities, the F-35 emerges as the quintessential symbol of stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare, poised to reshape the global defense landscape.

Chapters

• 0:00 The F-35 Lightning
• 10:20 Enhancing F-35 Power and Cooling Capacity

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome aviation and history enthusiasts to the Pilot Photog Podcast. I'm Tog, your host, private pilot, professional photographer, youtube content creator and your guide through the thrilling world of military aircraft. Whether you're a diehard aviation fan or just love a good story from the skies, you've landed in the right place. Each episode, we take flight into the fascinating tales of military aircraft, the heroes who flew them and the incredible technology that keeps pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the skies. We'll explore historic battles, modern advancements and the little known stories that shaped aviation history. And that's not all. As a scale model aircraft enthusiast and a creator of stunning computer animations, I'll bring these stories to life, giving you a unique perspective on the aircraft we discuss. Every airplane has a story. It's not just a podcast, it's an experience, don't forget. You can find us on all podcasting platforms. But before we take off, here's a quick pre-flight checklist for you, our amazing listeners. If you enjoy our journey through aviation history, please take a moment to leave a review. Your feedback helps us climb higher and reach more aviation enthusiasts like you. So whether you're prepping for takeoff on a long cross-country flight or just relaxing at home, make sure to subscribe to the Pilot Photog podcast for your regular fix of aviation history and stories. Alright, strap in and adjust your aviator glasses because we're about to embark on another high-flying adventure. Welcome aboard the Pilot Photog podcast.

Speaker 1: 1:53

Imagine an aircraft that was meant to replace many legendary airframes but was so ambitious that it suffered years of delays. Fast forward to today and that same airframe has become the most advanced combat information node, while also surpassing 1,000 units rolling off the assembly line. Welcome to the world of the F-35 Lightning, the premier fifth-generation stealth fighter. Not just another fighter jet the lightning has become the symbol of a new era in global defense. So far, more than 10 European nations have adopted this fighter, making it, some would say, the new Eurofighter of the 21st century. However, the journey of the F-35 is an ongoing one, paved with relentless ambition and challenges. As it embraces its latest upgrade, the Technology Refresh 3 or TR3, the aircraft stands at the crossroads of practicality and technological evolution. This upgrade is not just a step but a giant leap, promising to unleash capabilities that will redefine modern warfare. The lightning's path has always been filled with complexities, a reminder that the goal of aerial supremacy is won by a relentless pursuit of innovation and resilience. So strap in, hit that subscribe button and join me on a thrilling expedition to uncover what's behind these delays with the latest upgrade, why the lightning is more than just a fighter and why we absolutely need more of them.

Speaker 1: 3:31

Now more than ever, the nature of combat is evolving. Today's operational environment for the F-35 is becoming increasingly contested, meaning that pilots should no longer anticipate the liberty to execute their missions unchallenged. So how do you keep the F-35 on the cutting edge? Some of the ways are through secure software updates, new weapons and even an engine upgrade. More on that later. The software updates will help the lightning be able to receive and send tactical combat information securely without the enemy being able to read its signals. But like with most things, there's a process, just like in life before you can run you need to walk, and that's sort of what's going on with the holdup of the F-35's latest software upgrades. Technology Refresh 3 includes major upgrades to the lightning's central processor and software, and it's the digital backbone, the walking part, that the F-35 needs for its upcoming Block 4 upgrade the running part. And although software updates are never as flashy as a new engine or weapon system, tr-3 will make a significant leap forward for the F-35's internal systems and capabilities. It really will turn the lightning into an even more advanced and secure warfighter.

Speaker 1: 4:50

Yet the TR-3 upgrade should have already been done. Originally, tr-3 was supposed to be ready in April of 2023, but that deadline has been repeatedly pushed back, with the latest estimates now showing quarter three of this year. So what's behind the delays? Along with other factors, apparently the manufacture of the new computer processors that are needed for TR-3 are running late. This is sort of like the chip shortage we saw recently in the auto industry. Remember that the F-35 is expected to stay in service until at least 2070, so ongoing software and data security updates are critical. Once the TR-3 upgrade is complete, the lightning can start to implement Block 4 features.

Speaker 1: 5:33

It's important to note that Block 4 isn't just a one-time upgrade. It's an ongoing process of enhancement, constantly redefining the F-35's abilities. Under this initiative, the F-35 is set to become even more formidable. It will be equipped to carry an increased number of missiles weapons and communicate with advanced drones, all of which will amplify its firepower. On top of this, the F-35's reputation as an electronic warfare powerhouse will see notable improvements, making it more adept at outmaneuvering threats in the digital domain.

Speaker 1: 6:08

And, just like software, updates aren't usually interesting, electronic warfare doesn't often get the coverage it deserves. Today's electromagnetic environment is so congested it's jam-packed with civilian, commercial and military signals that make it absolutely challenging to sift through and identify. Enemy signals, heck, even sometimes friendly military signals can interfere with detection. To make it even more challenging, enemy systems aren't sitting still. They're using various ways to avoid detection, for example, adaptive waveforms, networking their signal emitters so you don't always know which one is the original source, and even using complex pulse patterns that could be similar to ours. All of this electronic noise combines to increase the complexity of the battle space. To counter this, the Block 4 F-35 will include enhanced electronic warfare tools and advanced sensors. In essence, block 4 is designed to detect every relevant threat pulse as soon as it happens.

Speaker 1: 7:11

As you know, one of the F-35's biggest strengths is that it is a combat information node in the sky. It doesn't fight alone. These Block 4 upgrades will also help it work better along older 4th generation fighters and the 5th generation F-22, and even with other parts of the joint forces. Basically, the F-35 can pass along information that these other platforms may not be able to detect, and vice versa. But remember, you can't have Block 4 without TR-3. You need that software foundation. It's like trying to run the latest version of DCS on a Windows XP laptop. In essence, with the TR-3 upgrades and Block 4, the F-35 is not just upgrading, it's evolving, staying ahead in the ever-advancing world of military aviation.

Speaker 1: 8:02

Despite the most recent challenges, the F-35 continues to be a runaway success. There are more F-35s flying today than every other stealth fighter in history combined. Perhaps the most notable example of the lightning success is the fascinating trend that is unfolding across Europe. Despite having access to the homegrown Eurofighter Typhoon an impressive aircraft in its own right more than 10 European nations have adopted the American-made F-35 Lightning II. Now, to be fair, there are many components for the lightning that are made in Europe, and virtually every European nation that adopts the fighter gets to produce or assemble some of the components in-country. But still it's sort of like a European football team, known for developing its own star players, suddenly opting to draft an outsider known for its game-changing skills.

Speaker 1: 8:54

In a way, the F-35's selection over the Eurofighter isn't just a matter of preference. It's a strategic decision. The F-35, with its stealth capabilities, advanced sensor package and network-centric warfare abilities, offers a different set of skills compared to the Eurofighter's emphasis on air superiority and agility. Essentially, this choice reflects a broader strategic shift in these country's defense outlooks. They're looking to integrate into a more global defense network where interoperability with NATO allies, particularly the United States, is key. The F-35, serving multiple nations, becomes a linchpin in this strategy, enabling seamless collaboration and shared technological advancements. So, despite the allure of supporting a local product, the unique attributes of the F-35 are steering European nations toward a more global perspective in their defense strategy.

Speaker 1: 9:53

Now there's one more thing we need to discuss. Many of the upgrades for the F-35 involve electronic devices, and here's the deal. Every electronic device generates heat. It's just a natural byproduct of electrical current flowing through them. Now, when it comes to smaller devices like your trusty cell phone, they can use passive cooling methods. That means that some of the heat generated by the processor is dissipated by using the phone's case acting as a heat sink.

Speaker 1: 10:20

But when you get into the world of high-performance electronics like PCs or fighter jets, these power-hungry machines need serious cooling solutions to keep their electronics from overheating. Pcs can rely on cooling fans, and even some use liquid cooling techniques. But when it comes to fighter jets, especially the F-35 that's packed with advanced electronic systems, you need a lot more cooling. And so to keep all the planned TR-3 and Block 4 upgrades running. The electronic cooling requirements are simply through the roof. In fact, the current engine, as it's configured, can't handle it. So to tackle this challenge, a brief competition was held between Pratt Whitney upgrading their existing F-135 engine that's in the lightning already or GE introducing a new engine. In the end, pratt Whitney was chosen to do the upgrades. Starting next year, the modifications to the F-135 engine will begin, known as the Engine Core Upgrade Program, the enhancements are designed to greatly boost the F-35's power and cooling capacity, ensuring it can support the demands of its Block 4 modernization and have enough room for the eventual Block 5 upgrade.

Speaker 1: 11:33

At the end of the day, these upgrades and enhancements for the F-35 are coming at a time when we are seeing more conflicts across the globe. More and more, the global stage is resembling a complex chessboard where tensions are rising and strategic moves are critical. In this context, the demand for F-35's is escalating, and that demand is only getting greater due to the intensifying number of conflicts across various regions. For example, the Middle East, a perennial hotspot, continues to present a myriad of security challenging, which is leading to the need for advanced air capabilities. In a similar way, the Red Sea, a vital corridor in international trade and a hub of geopolitical interests, is witnessing increased military posturing and attacks.

Speaker 1: 12:18

Here, the F-35's advanced surveillance and precision strike capabilities could be pivotal. Furthermore, the brewing tensions in the Asia Pacific, particularly the potential conflict between Taiwan and China, emphasizes the need for a stealthy, highly capable fighter like the F-35. In these scenarios, the F-35 isn't just another asset, it's a game changer, offering a blend of stealth, advanced sensors and network-centric warfare capabilities. These feature make it not just a tool for direct combat, but a deterrent in a world where the projection of power and strategic influence is increasingly vital. So in today's world that's marked by escalating conflicts and shifting power dynamics, the F-35 is emerging as a key player in maintaining balance and ensuring stability. The F-35 Lightning we simply need more of them.