[BITList] Fwd: The Australian Digital Edition: Fallout feared as Britain grapples with JSF ‘flaws’

[michael J Feltham]

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> From one of our own correspondents…
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> This article is from the Thursday July 20, 2017 issue of "The Australian" Digital Edition. 
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> To subscribe, visit http://www.theaustralian.com.au/. 
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> RORY CALLINAN 
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> DEFENCE WRITER  
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> Britain’s F-35 B joint strike fighters , a more powerful variant of the model being bought by Australia, have problems with night vision and existing communications systems. 
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> Australia is spending $17 billion to buy 72 A class models of the futuristic multi-role aircraft that has been criticised over everything from its high price tag to design flaws that emerged during development. 
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> In the latest controversy, UK newspaper The Times has raised concerns about the first 48 B class F-35 s being purchased by the Ministry of Defence. 
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> The Times reported the B model could struggle to transmit data to British ships or older planes without revealing its position to the enemy because of a failure to upgrade communications equipment. 
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> It said communications issues could emerge as the broadband internet on Britain’s principal aircraft carrier was weaker than the average UK household — a scenario that would severely hamper the jet’s abilities. 
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> Internet speeds on some of the UK’s ships were only eight megabits per second — four times weaker than the average British household, The Times said. 
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> This low capacity meant the F-35 ’s would not be able to send data on enemy threats back to ground forces while in flight. 
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> Another issue was the UK’s failure to purchase a key system that would enable the aircraft to “talk to other” aircraft while maintaining stealth mode. 
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> Instead it would have to switch to an unsecured wavelength called Link 16 which could give away its position to the enemy. 
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> And it noted a test pilot had to land in almost total darkness after the night vision function failed in his $500,000 helmet. 
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> While Australia is not purchasing the more expensive B model which can take off and land vertically from aircraft carriers, some of the communications and night vision issues could apply to the A class model that relies on a conventional takeoff. 
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> The Australian Defence Force yesterday denied there was any concern that Australia’s military platforms would not have the appropriate internet capability to connect with the F-35 . 
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> An ADF spokesman said the F-35 would “be in service for decades to come and as such it will have to be continually upgraded to stay at the cutting edge of military technology” . 
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> “Military networks are continually evolving to support the introduction of new capabilities and technologies,’’ he said. 
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> The spokesman did not answer a question about whether Australia had purchased the secure communications system that would allow the F-35 s to talk to other aircraft without giving its position away. 
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> He would only say the aircraft had “the ability to execute its assigned missions including communicating with other aircraft while controlling its electronic emissions to suit the demands of specific tactical situations” . 
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> The spokesman said an issue relating to night vision failing in a helmet was not impacting on Australia F-35 operations which were taking place at Luke Airforce Base in the United States. 
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> “Defence is monitoring the progress towards a resolution through it’s position as a key strategic partner in the F-35 program ,’’ he said. 
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> Australia’s Strategic Policy Institute defence strategy program director Andrew Davies said it was true that communications with “legacy” aircraft would be detrimental to stealth compared to the low probability intercept communications used by the F-35 . 
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> “But they are the same comms in use by older aircraft anyway and if the environment is so dangerous, you wouldn’t have them there in the first place,’’ Mr Davies said. 
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> He said the helmet had been a problem for years but hopefully “they will get it right” . 
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> Copyright © 2017 The Australian
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