#F-35 Demo Team

[nocternalrandomness]

Capt. Melanie "MACH" Kluesner taxiing her F-35 into parking at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Az

[indynerdgirl]

For the first time ever, three of the four Air Combat Command single-ship demonstration teams are piloted by women! 🤙🏻

Captain Lindsay M. "MAD" Johnson - Captain Lindsay Johnson is the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander, DavisMonthan AFB, Arizona. She is responsible for showcasing the A-10 Thunderbolt II at over 20 airshows annually around the country, as well as internationally. She is also responsible for leadership of a 10-person team that includes maintenance and public affairs Airmen. She and the team highlight the capabilities of the A-10, as well as pay tribute to Air Force history by flying formation flights with the Heritage Flight Foundation.

Captain Aimee "Rebel" Fiedler - Captain Aimee Fiedler is the United States Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. As the Viper Demo Team commander, she is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually. (you can follow her on Instagram @rebelfiedler16)

Major Kristen "Beo" Wolfe - Major Kristin Wolfe is the Commander, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The mission of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration team is to showcase the unique aerial capabilities of the Air Force’s most advanced 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35A Lightning II, as well as highlight the history of the Air Force’s service through heritage formation flights. Additionally, she provides operational oversight and direction for the 13-personnel team, to include maintenance, aircrew flight equipment, and public affairs Airmen. (you can follow her on Instagram @beo_f35demo_pilot)

And also a shout-out to the female pilots in the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Navy Blue Angels!

Major Lauren “Threat” Schlichting - Major Lauren Schlichting is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet. She earned her commission in 2012 from the University of St. Thomas Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program where she majored in Mathematics and played lacrosse. Before joining the Thunderbirds, she was an evaluating pilot and executive officer for the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. She enjoys hockey, snowboarding, and surviving the Great White North. She has logged more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15E, F-16, T-38, and T-6 with 420 combat hours. She is in her second season with the team and hails from Stillwater, MN. (you can follow her on Instagram @afthunderbird4)

Lieutenant Amanda "Stalin" Lee- Lieutenant Amanda Lee is the Left Wing pilot for the United States Navy Blue Angles, flying the No. 3 jet. She is a native of Mounds View, MN and she graduated from Irondale High School in 2004, where she competed in soccer, ice hockey and swimming. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) and reported to her first command, VFA-136 "Knighthawks." She was selected to commission as a Pilot through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. The following year, Lee attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) for officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, and simultaneously began her studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

Amanda joined the Blue Angels in September 2022, becoming the first woman to fly in a demo F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with the team. She has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and over 225 carrier-arrested landings. Her decorations include four Navy Achievement medals and various personal and unit awards.

[opelman]

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II by David G. Schultz Via Flickr: Major Kristin "Beo" Wolfe

[hogans-heroes]

Hi 😊 I was wondering if you had any headcanons about modern AU Buck and Bucky as pilots. What if they met at an air show? 😉 How would that go? What are they like?

Fam I love this concept so much but I STRUGGLED with this one! Mainly because I want to make Bucky a stunt pilot SOOO bad because he has exactly the personality to be doing insane stunts in something like an Extra 300 but those cockpits are TINY and really tall people don’t do well with aerobatics/G-forces without a g-suit so that’s not gonna work 😭

But that’s ok because I like my second idea even better: Bucky is on the Air Force F-35 Demo team and Gale is a ferry pilot who owns a Waco he flies for fun to shows around the country:

This is soooo perfect for them individually! F-35 pilots are the cream of the crop, absolute jet-jockeys and I’m really leaning into Top Gun AU territory which I loooove. Bucky is a larger than life personality with a callsign like Rambo or something and is known for being an excellent pilot and leader. He loves doing the craziest and hardest stunts for crowds at air shows all over the country and LIVES for the excitement and drama.

Gale enjoys the much more relaxed and nostalgic flying. The job ferry pilot is moving aircraft around the country for people who have bought or sold or just planes that need to be moved for whatever reason. It’s interesting and fun and Gale loves seeing the country. But his pride and joy is the Waco biplane he owns that is in pristine condition. He loves the open cockpit and feeling the wind and seeing the beautiful views at a slow pace. He flies it to air shows around the country and camps in the grass with his plane along with others doing the same thing.

At one of these shows he runs into Bucky and some after-show event, maybe one of his employers gets him invited. The F-35 pilots are there and of course no one can miss Bucky’s presence. When they are introduced they hit it off and get to talking, and of course Gale is smitten but tries to hide it. Isn’t everyone smitten with these hot-shots? Why would Bucky be interested? But when he shows Bucky photos of his Waco Bucky is OBSESSED and begs to see it. It’s already dark so it’s easy to sneak out of the event tent and out to Gale’s plane. Bucky listens as Gale talks about his baby and is slowly melting in the face of his sweetness. They end up talking into the night and sitting on the grass under the wing to watch the night airshow and fireworks. (They might kiss, just maybe).

So what of it if Gale just so happens to show up at the events where Bucky is scheduled to perform? And so what if Bucky disappears to Wyoming on his time off? Pure coincidence. The first time Bucky gets a ride in the Waco he thought his heart would burst. It’s so beautiful and fun and Gale’s happy voice in his headset makes him want this forever.

[usafphantom2]

U.S. Air Force Testing New Sensors On The F-22

The F-22 recently tested multiple new sensors as part of the modernization, with plans for a rapid prototyping effort to field them and expand the capabilities of the jet.

Stefano D'Urso

F-22 new sensors

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Philippine Air Force FA-50PH light jet fighters conduct joint combined exchange training, above Basa Air Force Base, Philippines, on Aug. 9, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)

The U.S. Air Force is testing multiple new advanced sensors on the F-22 Raptor, which could extend its service life and also be applied to systems of the Next Generation Air Dominance family. The info was disclosed during the Life Cycle Industry Days conference.

“The F-22 team is working really hard on executing a modernization roadmap to field advanced sensors, connectivity, weapons, and other capabilities,” said Brig. Gen. Jason D. Voorheis, Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft. “The Raptor team recently conducted six flight test efforts to demo advanced sensors.”

Voorheis also added that the service is planning for a rapid prototyping effort to get these sensors fielded quickly. “We’re executing that successfully, and that will lead to […] a rapid fielding in the near future,” he said.

The news was first reported by Air and Space Forces Magazine, which also added that Air Force officials have also confirmed that the stealthy pods seen since last year being tested on the F-22 are indeed InfraRed Search and Track (IRST) sensors. The development of a new IRST sensor for the Raptor was also confirmed by the service’s budget document, however they did not mention the sensor being podded.

The sensors are part of an upgrade program worth $ 7.8 billion before 2030, of which $ 3.1 billion are for research and development and the remaining $ 4.7 billion are for procurement. This is in contrast with previous statements that the Air Force was looking to retire the F-22 around 2030.

“From an F-22 sunsetting perspective, I don’t have a date for you,” said Voorheis when asked about the topic. “What I can tell you is that we are hyper-focused on modernization to sustain that air superiority combat capability for a highly contested environment for as long as necessary.”

This also reflects recent comments by Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, who mentioned that the service should retain also the older F-22s in the Block 20 configuration, together with the latest ones. The General added that several upgrades are being planned and even the older Block 20s are still very capable, should they be needed for combat in an emergency.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, approaches the boom of a 134th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker to refuel along the east coast of the United States Aug. 14, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Teri Eicher)

Voorheis also mentioned a software being integrated on the Raptor, which he defined as Government Reference Architecture Compute Environment, or “GRACE.” He further explained this open architecture software would allow “non-traditional F-22 software” to be installed on the aircraft and provide “additional processing and pilot interfaces.”

It’s unclear if the new GRACE is related to Project FOX, the innovation project tested last year which allowed to integrate on the F-35 software applications developed for the F-22. This allowed both 5th gen fighters to fly with common tactical software applications.

The F-22 upgrades

Some of the upgrades expected for the F-22 Raptor were unveiled in the Fiscal Year 23 budget request documentation and in an official artwork shared by Gen. Mark Kelly, then Commander of Air Combat Command. In the artwork we can see three Raptors loaded with new stealthy external fuel tanks, two underwing faceted pods and a new unknown air-to-air missile, but there are even more novelties in the documents, which unveils a previously undisclosed relationship between the F-22 and the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).

Two years after the upgrades were announced, we might have gotten, earlier this year, the first glimpse of the new stealthy external fuel tanks being developed for the F-22 Raptor. The aircraft was, in fact, spotted near the Mojave Air and Space Port and shows the Raptor with two fuel tanks, whose shape is reminiscent of the one shown in 2022.

The new tanks are officially known as Low Drag Tank and Pylon (LDTP) and designed to be stealthier and more aerodynamically efficient than the current 600-gallon fuel tanks. In the FY2023 budget request, the Air Force mentioned that the F-22 LDTPs are advanced technological designs providing increased persistence and range while maintaining lethality and survivability, critical to future mission execution and to maintaining Air Superiority.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Samuel “RaZZ” Larson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander and pilot, practices different maneuvers while training for the upcoming 2023 airshow season, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 6, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith)

The low drag tanks are intended to reduce drag, facilitate supersonic flight with external tanks and extend the range of the F-22. The pylons are equipped with smart rack pneumatic technology to accurately control ejection performance and smooth wind swept surface for minimum drag without stores.

The two pods installed under the outer underwing hardpoints have already been spotted during flight testing on an F-22 at the Air Force’s Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California, in February 2022. The latest budget documents mention an InfraRed Search and Track (IRST) sensor being developed for the F-22, which is now confirmed to be the sensor housed inside the two pods, although they could host also other capabilities in addition to the IRST.

In July 2024 we got an up-close look at one of the pods installed under a Rockwell Sabreliner 65 testbed after a test campaign at Nellis AFB, Nevada. It would have been expected to see some kind of transparent surface associated with the IRST, however the surfaces on the nose of the pod appeared to be opaque. We still cannot exclude that there are two different variants of the pod, depending on the equipment inside.

The last upgrade featured in the artwork is a new unknown air-to-air missile. While there are a number of air-to-air missile programs in the works, it is possible that the one in the image could be a representative design, which may or may not correspond to the real deal, for the highly secretive AIM-260 missile. So far, the missile has never been depicted in any kind of image and details about the program are very scarce.

The development of the AIM-260, also called Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, was first unveiled in 2019 and has been in the works at least since 2017. The goal of the new long-range air-to-air missile is to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) and counter the threat posed by the Chinese PL-15 missile, while avoiding any foreign threats being able to outrange the AIM-120.

Among the few known technical details, the new missile will be compatible with the AMRAAM dimensions, but obviously with greater range, and is planned to be carried in the F-22 weapons bay and on the F/A-18 at first, with the F-35 to follow. Flight tests are already in progress and the missile is expected to be fielded by next year. Because of these reasons, it would be reasonable to suppose that the one shown in the image could be at least a hint at the AIM-260.

Other upgrades mentioned in the budget request are a Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Link 16 and Multifunction Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), a new Operational Fight Program, advanced radar Electronic Protection, Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) Modernization (EGI-M), Open System Architecture (OSA), new encrypted radios.

File photo of the U.S. Air Force’s 5th gen aircraft, the F-22 and the F-35. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

A new helmet is also being tested by F-22 pilots, as part of the Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet program to replace the current HGU-55P helmet, which has been the standard issued helmet for the last 40 years. The goal is to provide pilots a more comfortable, stable, and balanced platform to accommodate helmet-mounted devices usage without imposing neck strain and discomfort to the user.

Despite various integration efforts in the past, the F-22 is not equipped yet with a helmet that provides the essential flight and weapon aiming information through line of sight imagery: the shape of the Raptor’s canopy, optimized to preserve Low Observability, doesn’t allow enough range of motion and minimum visibility to a pilot wearing the JHMCS or the Scorpion.

About Stefano D'Urso

Stefano D'Urso is a freelance journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he's also studying to achieve a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Electronic Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT techniques applied to the world of military operations and current conflicts are among his areas of expertise.

@The Aviationist.com

[doctorlovepod]

Voice Actor Casting Call - Nurse Amelia & Helen Carter

The DOCTOR LOVE team is looking for a talented voice actor to play two roles in our upcoming audio drama! All talent are welcome to apply, but Canadian talent are strongly encouraged as we are an Edmonton-based team.

About DOCTOR LOVE: Two true crime enthusiasts explore an old asylum case, digging up recordings, medical notes, and news clippings to discuss a patient's mystery illness and her doctor's infatuation with her.

Want to audition but don't feel right for the role?

We have more roles available! Please visit linktree.com/appoova or our Casting Call Club page to see the full breakdown, review sample lines, and submit your audition.

Alternatively, you can request audition sides by emailing doctorlove@appoova.ca with your demo reel, resume, and the character you would like to audition for.

Voice actor flat rates vary between $250-1000 per role. Chosen voice actors must be available for live-directed sessions in December and January. For ALL inquiries, please contact doctorlove@appoova.ca.

Please do NOT contact team members directly.

NURSE AMELIA: F, 25-35, Any ethnicity.

Nurse Amelia is a 29-year-old nurse in a 1950s asylum. She is sweet, looks out for others, and is almost always putting out fires. A subtle Pennysylvanian/Transatlantic accent would be an asset!

HELEN CARTER: F, 35-65, Any ethnicity.

Helen is a 1950s reporter with a slight transatlantic accent.

Please provide varied takes for both characters. Thank you for your interest in our show! We will not be sending rejection emails. The deadline to submit is Nov 1st and all callbacks will be conducted shortly thereafter. Happy auditioning! 💙✨

[jjwphotography1990]

Beo bringing the vapor for her last show as the F-35 demo team pilot!

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The 2023 Orlando Air Show

Orlando, Florida

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#vapor #vaporcone #f35 #f35lightning #f35lightningii #jet #fighterjet #aviationphotography #airforce #airshow #airshowphotography #aviation #aviationgeek #airplane #military #shotoncanon #canon #canoneosr #eosr #canonphotography #photography #aviationphoto #pictureoftheday #planespotting #sigma #sigmalens #sigma60600mmsports #mylensrental #orlandoairshow #airdotshow

[jubojan]

The air show was a blast.

Here's a vid of a B-52 Stratofortress flying by. Obsessed with BUFF.

Few pics of other military aircraft performing there also.

The F-35 Demo Team were the loudest and most badass thing I've ever seen.

[sjvllsblog]

F-35 Demo Team Performs in Jacksonville

[lakelandg]

SUN 'n FUN NEW Venue - THE HANGAR Aviation Notables & Movies

Mon, April 8 7:00 p.m. – Introduction of “The Rocketeer��� – Meet & Greet, photo ops with The Rocketeer 8:00 p.m. – The Rocketeer (1991) – 108 min Tues, April 9 11:00 a.m. – Warbirds, Preserving History – Larry Kelley Wed., April 10 11:00 a.m. – Capt. Melanie “MACH” Kluesner & F-35 Demo Team 5:00 p.m. – Miss America, USAF 2nd Lt. Marsh 6:00 p.m. – Air Legends Foundation & C-121A “Bataan” –…

[defensenow]

Tinker Air Show 2023 D2: Navy Blue Angels & F-35 Demo Team Amaze

[nocternalrandomness]

Capt. Melanie “MACH” Kluesner flying the F-35A demo at Luke Days 2024

[indynerdgirl]

2024 DEMO TEAMS' SCHEDULES HAVE DROPPED!

[dhaliwalmanjit]

Meet the F-35 Demo Team Pilot

[usafphantom2]

End Of An Era: A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team Announces Final Airshow Season

The A-10 Demo Team has just announced their farewell tour 2024.

David Cenciotti

A-10 Demo Team Farewell Tour 2024

The U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II demonstration team is the unit in charge of highlighting the A-10C’s capabilities during airshows across the United States and to recruit, retain and inspire the next generation of Airmen. The team will perform its duty for one last season this year: in fact, as announced on social media, 2024 is going to mark the final airshow season for the Warthog demo.

The farewell tour does not come unexpected though: last month, the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, where the Demo team is based, begun divesting its fleet of A-10 aircraft after nearly 50 years.

The first model of the aircraft to arrive at Davis-Monthan was an A-10A on March 2, 1976. This model was assigned to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing that arrived here in 1971 and replaced the Vought A-7D Corsair flown by the 355th TFW. The 355th TFW was later reclassified as the 355th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, prompting the 354th, 357th, and 358th Fighter squadrons to train U.S. Air Force Pilots on the A-10A aircraft.

A-10 Demo Team

The heritage paint scheme of the A-10C Demo Team, introduced for 2023 season.

The U.S. Air Force has plans to divest the entire fleet of A-10 aircraft within the next 3-5 years, when the iconic jet will be replaced by the F-35.

“The A-10 has been the symbol of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for many years, and it will continue to be a symbol for the Airmen of DM, a symbol of their commitment, excellence and service,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Scott Mills, 355th Wing commander and A-10 pilot in a public statement. “For now, we’re divesting a single squadron during the summer-fall timeframe of 2024.”

Coinciding with the divestment, Davis-Monthan plans to expand its Rescue Footprint, which may lead to additional utility of the HC-130 aircraft and the HH-60W helicopter. Airframes expected to arrive from the Air Force Special Operations Command include the MC-130 and OA-1K.

A-10 Demo pilot

Capt Lindsay “MAD” Johnson, Demo Team Commander, poses in front of her aircraft.

“From an Ops personnel standpoint, this divestment arguably allows a more expeditious stand-up of the F-35, even as that program continues to struggle with a variety of delays,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Razvan Radoescu, 355th Operations Group commander.

The aircraft 82-648 was the first to be retired from service at Davis-Monthan on Feb. 6, 2024, and transited from the 354th Fighter Squadron to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group for final maintenance procedures and display preparation for the Davis-Monthan where hundreds of retired Aircraft are stored.

“There will always be a job for maintainers; it may not be on the A-10, but the Air Force needs maintainers to sustain airpower,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Clarence McRae, 355th Maintenance Group commander, “Perhaps the biggest draw of future maintainers will be in the F-35 community. Airplanes are still going to break, and we are still going to fix them.”

One of the memes that you could find online during the early days of the Ukrainian invasion by Russia.

Anyway, there’s still time to attend an airshow and watch the A-10 Demo Team, commanded by Capt Johnson, an Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona and previously served also in Texas and Korea, at her second season as the commander of the team.

Here’s the schedule.

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

@Aviationist via X