Forum: F-35 Design & Construction

Norway has a number of short non military runways that are to be used if the main bases are out of operation. For this the drogue chute is a necessity. Sweden has the same tactics, but they built their roads straight enough to use as fall back runways, while in Norway there is no such thing as a straight road, so the drag chute is a must for this purpose.

I took the pictures below many moons ago and it shows one of these short runways being landed on in the foreground and the reason there is no straight roads in the background.

RNoAF F-16B block 15 #693 lands at Leknes Airport (68 deg 5 min north) using drag its chute in 1984/5. This was part of an exercise using one of Norway’s many rural runways if the home base should be out of commission. The runway is only 800 meters, but that was not a problem using the chutes.

RNoAF F-16B block 15 #693 lands at Leknes Airport (68 deg 5 min north) using drag chute in 1984/5. Just wanted to show a little scenery from the Lofoten islands in northern Norway.

Oh, did I mention that it snows there too.

While this is ancient history by now, what about the F-35A Lightning II? Will it be able to land on a runway no longer than 800 meters? Will it sport a drogue chute option?

If anybody cares to see this airport for them selves its civilian code is LKN. You will have to go via Bodoe (BOO) which is also the home base for the Vipers in northern Norway. The BOO civilian terminal building has panoramic view to the runway so you can watch the Vipers come and go. I can recommend the trip...

F-16.net Sponsor

I would think it would definitely be an option, since it's to be so heavily exported and must meet the varying needs of several different militaries. I'm not sure if it's getting the split surface air brake like the Raptor or not.

Where would it be located then, as there is no natural central location to place it?

lamoey wrote:

Where would it be located then, as there is no natural central location to place it?

and it would probably destroy the F-35's stealth...

Theyll find a way... just like theyll fins a way to put an integral ladder on the F-35C.

Norway has requested a drag chute on their F-35A's. If they are ordered, one will be fitted at Norway's cost.

Hmm, maybe utilising the "door" system that the F-22s gun uses to cover the mechanism until its needed.

Fitted at the base of the vertical fins or something.

Many nations ordering the F-35 will probably require a drag chute (most european nations for starters) so the split development costs for this feature should see it being fitted.

Andy

The Norwegian program office is now saying that the bracket and controls for the drag chute will be present already in the first two delivered to Norway in 2015, and that the chute and canister is a self-contained unit that can be installed later.

The Norway chute discussion was fairly involved.
Here is the thread:

http://www.f-16.net/index.php?name=PNph ... ute+norway

Forum: F-35 Design & Construction

F-35A drogue chute?