6 F-35s land on Wasp for testing

[zerion]

Six Lockheed F-35B jets land on ship for Marine Corps testing

May 18 Six U.S. F-35B fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp landed on the USS Wasp amphibious warship on Monday for two weeks of operational testing required before the Marine Corps can declare a first squadron of F-35s ready for combat use in July, according to a U.S. defense official.

The testing, taking place off the coast of Virginia, will involve the six F-35 B-model jets, the highest number of F-35s ever used on a Navy warship to date, as well as Marine Corps pilots, maintenance personnel, and logistics experts, said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly.

The tests will check the ability of the stealthy jets to integrate into flight and deck operations on board the ship. They will include operations and weapons loading at day and night, the jets' ability to coordinate digitally with an on-board logistics system call ALIS, and how well the crew can deal with scheduled and unexpected repairs at sea...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/ ... ompanyNews

[Jon]

From what I've heard is it's four jets from VMFA-121 and two from VMFAT-501.

[spazsinbad]

It is all over before it started.

6 F-35's head to sea for testing...
18 May 2015 via Reuters SNAFU solomon

"I wonder what lies we'll hear from this testing?" [That is it - great post - marvellous insight - oughtta be congratulated]

Source: http://snafu-solomon.blogspot.com.au/20 ... sting.html

[KamenRiderBlade]

It is all over before it started.

6 F-35's head to sea for testing...
18 May 2015 via Reuters SNAFU solomon

"I wonder what lies we'll hear from this testing?" [That is it - great post - marvellous insight - oughtta be congratulated]

Source: http://snafu-solomon.blogspot.com.au/20 ... sting.html

His seething hatred for the F-35 is snarling out like a rabid dog.

[sferrin]

Videos, videos, where are the videos. . ..

[sferrin]

It is all over before it started.

6 F-35's head to sea for testing...
18 May 2015 via Reuters SNAFU solomon

"I wonder what lies we'll hear from this testing?" [That is it - great post - marvellous insight - oughtta be congratulated]

Source: http://snafu-solomon.blogspot.com.au/20 ... sting.html

His seething hatred for the F-35 is snarling out like a rabid dog.

You just know he and the rest of that crowd are praying for a crash.

[thomonkey]

can't wait for video.

Will they be using external loadouts in this testing?

[KamenRiderBlade]

You just know he and the rest of that crowd are praying for a crash.

You know I want to strap him to the EMALs test unit and launch him off the deck and into the water.

[spazsinbad]

Older BIG KNOB version of ALIS will be onboard WASP for the testing time as per:

Hitches with F-35 logistics won't delay summer launch: Lockheed executive
19 May 2015 Andrea Shalal

"...Six U.S. Marine F-35 B-model jets, which can take off from shorter runways and land like a helicopter, are slated to begin operational testing on the USS Wasp on Monday.

The larger, earlier version of ALIS was installed on the ship ahead of the test and used to maintain the jets participating in the tests, Streznetcky said. He forecast a "seamless transition" once the jets arrived on board from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina...."

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/hitches-f ... 23050.html

[cantaz]

Will they be using external loadouts in this testing?

Almost certainly not, since this test is limited to getting the Marines ready for IOC with 2B and there are no external stuff included in 2B.

Can't wait until Sol gets really old and crazy, maybe in another 10 years he'll start claiming that all F-35 combat footages and photos are fakes.

[bring_it_on]

Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet aircraft arrived Monday evening aboard the USS WASP off the coast of the United States’ Eastern Seaboard to mark the beginning of the first shipboard phase of the F-35B Operational Test (OT-1).

The at-sea period will continue aboard USS WASP for the next two weeks, with fleet representative aircraft and maintenance personnel from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons 13 and 31.

OT-1 will assess the integration of the F-35B while operating across a wide array of flight and deck operations. Specific OT-1 objectives include demonstrating and assessing day and night flight operations in varying aircraft configurations; digital interoperability of aircraft and ship systems; F-35B landing signal officer's launch and recovery software; day and night weapons loading; and all aspects of maintenance, logistics, and sustainment support of the F-35B while deployed at sea. Additionally, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team is working closely with Naval Sea Systems Command to assess specific modifications made to USS WASP to support future deployments.

“The F-35 Lightning II is the most versatile, agile and technologically-advanced aircraft in the skies today, enabling our Corps to be the nation’s force in readiness, regardless of the threat, and regardless of the location of the battle,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation. “As we modernize our fixed-wing aviation assets for the future, the continued development and fielding of the short take-off and vertical landing, the F-35B remains the centerpiece of this effort.”

Data collected and lessons learned during OT-1 will lay the groundwork for F-35B deployments aboard U.S. Navy amphibious carriers following the Marine Corps’ F-35B initial operating capability declaration planned for this coming July.

https://www.f35.com/news/detail/u.s.-ma ... f9351327=1

[mrigdon]

Can't wait until Sol gets really old and crazy, maybe in another 10 years he'll start claiming that all F-35 combat footages and photos are fakes.

It seems to be more a case of "These Marines aren't my Marines. Go back to doing things the old way."

Frankly, I don't think the Marines have been the same since they closed the Springfield Armory. We need to go back to what works

[bring_it_on]

Has anyone ever asked him to provide any sort of credentials? or are all the sheep following him around the blog and on twitter too in awe to think of it?

As to what he will do 10 years from now? If his track record is any indication, he will most likely be advocating a higher procurement of the F-35C and the chopping up of the FA-XX


U.S. Marine Corps Begins F-35B Operational Trials

ARLINGTON, Va. — Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet aircraft arrived the evening on May 18 aboard USS Wasp off the Eastern Seaboard to mark the beginning of the first shipboard phase of the F-35B Operational Test (OT-1), Headquarters Marine Corps announced in a May 19 release.

The at-sea period will continue aboard USS Wasp for the next two weeks, with fleet representative aircraft and maintenance personnel from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons 13 and 31.

OT-1 will assess the integration of the F-35B while operating across a wide array of flight and deck operations. Specific OT-1 objectives include demonstrating and assessing day and night flight operations in varying aircraft configurations; digital interoperability of aircraft and ship systems; F-35B landing signal officer's launch and recovery software; day and night weapons loading; and all aspects of maintenance, logistics and sustainment support of the F-35B while deployed at sea. Additionally, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team is working closely with Naval Sea Systems Command to assess specific modifications made to USS Wasp to support future deployments.

“The F-35 Lightning II is the most versatile, agile and technologically advanced aircraft in the skies today, enabling our Corps to be the nation’s force in readiness, regardless of the threat and regardless of the location of the battle,” said LtGen Jon Davis, the deputy commandant for Marine Corps Aviation. “As we modernize our fixed-wing aviation assets for the future, the continued development and fielding of the short takeoff and vertical landing, the F-35B remains the centerpiece of this effort.”

Data collected and lessons learned during OT-1 will lay the groundwork for F-35B deployments aboard U.S. Navy amphibious carriers following the Marine Corps’ F-35B initial operating capability declaration planned for July.

http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories ... 35-ot.html

[sferrin]

Has anyone ever asked him to provide any sort of credentials? or are all the sheep following him around the blog and on twitter too in awe to think of it?

Solomon? I doubt he has any.

[newmanfrigan]

You just know he and the rest of that crowd are praying for a crash.

You know I want to strap him to the EMALs test unit and launch him off the deck and into the water.

That would be as close to being a Marine as he ever got. Hitting the water, off of a boat.

DO IT!