F-35C Lands at Lakehurst For Testing

[SpudmanWP]

5 out of 8 were a good trap. The missed 3 were listed as 'pilot placement error'.

[spazsinbad]

Thanks I'm aware of previous 'sad' reporting on this issue. If the numbers are bandied about without context then they are meaningless. I'll gather that the 76 were the ground 'roll-in matrix'. I can play the game of numbers without context also.

[neptune]

Recent test activities with a new tailhook design for the US Navy's carrier variant F-35C have, meanwhile, involved 76 ground and five "fly-in" arrestments at NAS Lakehurst in New Jersey, Lockheed says.

[spazsinbad]

If these were all successful then why not say so - yes aircraft was arrested but out of how many attempts. Out of how many attempts would be good to know don't we think. I'm a glass half full guy but shirley 'numbers without context' are much like the number of flights and test points being thrown around that the new JPO oversear says are a bit meaningless - good to know - but without context - boom boom.

[SpudmanWP]

This is what happens when reporters write stories from other stories, and so on, and so on, an so on.

Modern day Chinese telephone.

[spazsinbad]

Yeah. Understand. What a rip off.

[maus92]

For the sake of keeping a record about arrested landings and suchlike in one place, the 'neptune' post here: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-20494.html section is repeated

International backing for F-35 hasn’t been stronger, says Lockheed official
By: Craig Hoyle 19 Oct 2012

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... al-377810/

"...Recent test activities with a new tailhook design for the US Navy's carrier variant F-35C have, meanwhile, involved 76 ground and five "fly-in" arrestments at NAS Lakehurst in New Jersey, Lockheed says...."

<SARCASM> This is so informative, I'll have to assume that it means something like 'these were all successful arrests'? Shirley this reporter can do better?

Or the LM spokesman? LM is on a PR push atm, recovering from last month's statements from future PEO Gen. Bogdan, and positioning themselves to defend against possible program cuts due to sequestration.

[spazsinbad]

Is not the reporter meant to ask questions - to get context? What does the reporter know that is not in the text. What is the speculation for otherwise. What agenda are you pushing. I'm just after the facts (with context).

[maus92]

Is not the reporter meant to ask questions - to get context? What does the reporter know that is not in the text. What is the speculation for otherwise. What agenda are you pushing. I'm just after the facts (with context).

Depending on the forum, the reporter may not have had the opportunity to ask Steve O'Bryan any questions, or get clarifications. It is unclear from this article exactly where/how the info was delivered - it could have been from a press release, a transcript, an earnings (conference) call, a live or recorded news conference, etc.

I am also after the facts, and in this case I agree with you about context. I am also aware of the importance of shaping the message in media age in which we live - and I work in. Understanding the source and their motivation helps to separate the wheat from the chaff.

[spazsinbad]

I'll concede that more information in the article under discussion (such as the source/circumstances) may excuse the incomplete nature of it. So why bother? Yes a lot of material is recycled by AvWeak from their blogs to magazine or vice versa. I still ain't readin' it. Go figure. Not enough info. [AvWeak = Weak on Facts - 'Strong' on Opinions (nearly put 'strange' but - whatever - this is a thread about the F-35C etc. etc. etc.]

[neptune]

I'm not strong on facts "out of context", therefore my limitation as a PR guy! At this point the hook works but the story is still out, until the system tests are completed (damper, etc, etc, etc). As with most of you, for me this will remain an incomplete story until the successful arrestments on a carrier. At least, by this time the shrill "the wheels are too close to the hook" has died down. Carrier landings have been done a time or two by at least several a/c types, the same will be for the CF-35s. What has my interests is the integration of JPALS, hook placement and a very low "bolter" percentage; now that would be news! .... and a big step towards the future.

[spazsinbad]

'neptune' all of the above looks to be 'shaping' up well not only for the F-35C (and the other two + any modified aircraft with JPALS/AutoLand upgrades such as the Super Hornet with extra special carrier landing software) and of course the X-47B and follow ons, will be reliable deck landers day/night/bad weather etc. Potential new visual landing aids will help also such as the Bedford Array for CVFS (& for CVNs if adopted). The HMDSII turns night into day don't forget. Hallelujah.

[f-22lm]

Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Levin flew F-35C test aircraft CF-1 with two 500-pound GBU-12 laser guided bombs and two AIM-120 AMRAAMs in the internal weapon bays on Flight 172. The flight originated from NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on 16 October 2012. This marked the first time that an F-35C had been flown with GBU-12s.

[spazsinbad]

Probably best to put armament testing in the appropriate thread. This one has been mostly about hook testing matters but thread drift happens.

[neptune]

I still don't see the harm...

DONE

http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fu ... 3448FADC23

LAKEHURST, N.J. (Nov. 18, 2011) An F-35C Lightning II test aircraft piloted by Lt. Christopher Tabert launches for the first time from the new electromagnetic aircraft launch system.

The new launch system will be installed on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before delivery to the fleet.