F-35 completes comprehensive flight tests without a single loss or fatality

New Atlas ^ | April 14th, 2018 | David Szondy

[PapaBear3625]

However, with that many hardpoints on the wings there’s probably not much stealth left in the radar signature.

The hardpoints are removable when stealth is a priority.

[maddog55]

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/03/05/fewer-planes-are-ready-to-fly-air-force-mission-capable-rates-decline-amid-pilot-crisis/

Out of 119 aircraft in 2017 FMC was 54%

http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2018/March%202018/Air-Force-F-35-Fleet-Facing-Low-Availability-Logistics-Limitations.aspx

March 2018: Out of the Air Force’s 130 total F-35As, 100 are on the older Block 2B software suite and have a mission capable rate in the “low 40” percent, Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris, the deputy chief of staff for strategic plans, programs, and requirements said at a House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land subcommittee hearing. The rest are in the upgraded Block 3I and 3F software suites, with these running a mission capable rate in the “60 to 70” percentage range, Harris said.

[PreciousLiberty]

Did you even read the articles you linked? Do you understand what all factors in to MCR?

There is a lot to it beyond the airframe, in particular there must be qualified maintenance people. Further, 100 F-35s will require some form of upgrade to get to the latest software, so clearly having them "mission capable" isn't much of a priority right now.

Of those which are up to date, the MCR is, as you quote, in the "60 to 70 percentage range", which is in the neighborhood of many other aircraft in the list. What you failed to mention is that the squadron deployed to Kadena, Japan (an actual front-line unit) is running at a MCR of "above 70 percent" which is right in line with the best MCRs of the F-15s and F-16s. The F-16D (the most advanced) is running at a MCR of just 66%.

In short, what you posted completely supports the position that the F-35 is doing very well for such a new aircraft!

[maddog55]

Fully aware of MCR/FMC requirements and have been for many years.

You can have several aircraft fwd deployed running at a high MCR/FMC which is great but your home base aircraft are gathering dust cannibalizing parts so you can keep the fwd deployed folks flying and pencil whipping your rates fwd is not uncommon by any means.

Readiness rates encompass all aircraft not just those deployed.

You like the F-35 I don’t so we disagree.