The lieutenant colonel, with twenty years of experience within the 350th Florennes squadron, arrived in the United States in the summer of 2023 to set up the “F-35 Conversion Unit”, integrated into the 312th American squadron. This team of 17 people is responsible for organizing, with the Americans, the conversion of F-16 pilots and technicians to the F-35.
Delivery of the first F-35s: Belgium will have to wait until summer 2025, but financial penalties are planned
“Your first flight, you do it alone”
“One of the specificities of the F-35 is that there is no two-seater aircraft, unlike the F-16explains the pilot, nicknamed “S06”. In a two-seater F-16, the instructor sits in the back seat and can take over the controls if something doesn’t go well. In the F-35, your first flight, you do it alone.”
The theoretical and practical training on a flight simulator is, however, very qualitative, he assures. “From the simulator, instructors can analyze your every move to see if you’re ready to fly alone. These simulators are demanding, you are bombarded with technical problems, in all possible weather conditions. After such training, when you make your first flight, everything seems simple.”
The F-35 is capable of maneuvers that the F-16 could not perform without risking a stall. “In air combat, it makes a huge difference.”
“Currently, the best tool we have to accomplish our missions is the F-35”“SO6” slice. To hear it, the added value compared to the F-16 is indisputable.
First there is comfort. “The F-16 cockpit is cramped. When you first close the canopy and start the engine, you get the feeling of a somewhat hostile environment. In the F-35, the cockpit ergonomics are better thought out, more comfortable, not oppressive.”
32 years ago, Nassognard Jean-Marie Toussaint was the first to cross the 3000 hour barrier in an F-16
Next, the pilot’s helmet. The one used on the F-16 is already efficient, but a series of information is still found on a “head-up” viewfinder (or display) in front of the pilot, at the level of the aircraft’s canopy. “In the F-35, all information – for navigation, weapon system, etc. – appear on the helmet visor. There is no longer a head-up viewfinder. I wondered how it was going to go, but you get used to it right away. It works really well.”
About 1.5 times more thrust than the F-16
Maneuverability has also seen significant progress. Despite larger measurements and especially a weight than the F-16, “the F-35 lands as easily as an Alpha Jet” (the former training planes for F-16 pilots), summarizes Pierre-Yves Libert. A series of procedures for takeoff, flight or landing are no longer manual, but supported by F-35 technology.
“The plane also has a lot more power, about 1.5 times more thrust than the F-16.” And, in a combat situation, it is capable of maneuvers, including sharp turns, that the F-16 cannot perform without risking stalling. “In air combat, it makes a huge difference.”
Finally, and this is the key element, the F-35 can accomplish missions that will generate more losses and damage for the enemy, while maintaining a limited level of risk, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Libert.
gullIt is this relationship between risk and tactical effect that is revolutionary
“Two things must be taken into account when leading a mission: to survive, and to have the desired tactical effect”such as destroying a target. The two gauges evolve at the same time. The more we want to achieve a significant tactical effect, the higher the risks we must accept.
To survive, “you must prevent the enemy from finding you; if it finds you, prevent the armament from finding you; and if it finds you, survive the impact. It’s called the chain of survival.” The F-35, unlike the F-16, is a stealth aircraft (its armament and fuel reserves are notably hidden in the plane). “This does not mean that it is invisible. A plane is never invisible. But stealth will reduce our signature so that the enemy cannot use its weapons against us effectively. The chain of survival is much more effective.”
Not a new toy
The tactical effect will also be more effective. “F-35 sensors (basically, its radars, Editor’s note) are incredibly precise. and will allow, “without outside help”to spot the target, identify it, and locate it precisely to obtain maximum effect with the weaponry, without collateral damage. The F-16 needs the assistance of Awacs (detection and command aircraft) and satellite support,”and if the enemy manages to jam satellite communication, the mission stops…” “It is this relationship between risk and tactical effect that is revolutionary”concludes Lieutenant-Colonel Libert.
“People will perhaps say that the pilots are happy because they have a new toy, but that’s not the goal. What we want is to carry out our mission, that’s that is to say, survive and generate a tactical effect, and for that, the F-35 is the best tool.”
