F-35B Aircraft Fly In Formation In STOVL Mode

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 20 Feb 2014, 00:44

I reckon this is a milestone rather than just 'a good photograph':

BIG PIC: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/d ... mation.jpg (2.8Mb)

F-35B Aircraft Fly In Formation In Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing Mode 19 Feb 2014

"NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Feb. 19, 2014 – Two F-35B aircraft fly in close formation while in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode for the first time last week. Pilots Peter Wilson and Dan Levin flew the test jets in STOVL mode, also known as Mode 4, with the F-35B LiftFan engaged and engine rotated downward. The mission measured the effects the aircraft had on each other while in Mode 4 to ensure they can operate in formation safely in an operational environment.... Lockheed Martin photo by Michael D. Jackson."

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/p ... ation.html

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 20 Feb 2014, 16:43

Awesome!

joost · by **joost** » 20 Feb 2014, 17:07

Anybody knows which F-35 it is with code SD-65? This one is unknown to me. One of the former VMFAT-501 aircraft?

EDIT: according to the scramble Database it is BF-05

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 21 Feb 2014, 02:29

F-35Bs pair up for STOVL test 20 Feb 2014 Craig Hoyle

"Lockheed Martin issued a handful of nice images yesterday showing a first for the F-35 programme - a pair of STOVL-variant aircraft taking off and then transitioning back for landing while in close formation...."

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-d ... tovl-test/
PIC: https://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the- ... ir-TO-.jpg

hobo · by **hobo** » 21 Feb 2014, 02:52

Shocking that they would risk annihilating their test aircraft with chunks of spalled concrete in a supersonic airflow. :roll:

Can anyone tell whether that runway is made out of the famous pizza oven concrete?

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 21 Feb 2014, 04:09

At Least I do not HAVE To DO the TASTE TEST for the PIZZA OVEN concrete - With melt rubber topping? YUM. I'm in Oz - can I have FRIES with it? :devil:

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 31 Mar 2014, 18:07

First F-35B STOVL Mode Formation Flight VIDEO 24 Mar 2014 Defense Media Network

"On Feb. 11, two F-35B Lightning IIs conducted the first close formation flight in the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode. A video released by Lockheed Martin shows the two F-35Bs conducting a soon to be routine takeoff, flight, and landing together."

SOURCE: http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/vide ... on-flight/

southernphantom · by **southernphantom** » 31 Mar 2014, 18:40

Interesting stunt, for sure. But is this really a necessary capability beyond proving that it can be done??

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 31 Mar 2014, 18:46

southernphantom wrote:Interesting stunt, for sure. But is this really a necessary capability beyond proving that it can be done??

Proves that the ops tempo from shore can be sped up with formation landings.

Lightndattic · by **Lightndattic** » 31 Mar 2014, 19:10

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought the 'intermediate' position of the lift fan cover wasn't supposed to be used due to the hinge issue? Every pic of video I've seen of Mode 4 flight including transitions the cover opens fully.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 31 Mar 2014, 19:30

I think we see testing going on so there are many modes seen such as wheels up in STOVL mode - as a test - this is testing.

cantaz · by **cantaz** » 31 Mar 2014, 20:49

Lightndattic wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought the 'intermediate' position of the lift fan cover wasn't supposed to be used due to the hinge issue? Every pic of video I've seen of Mode 4 flight including transitions the cover opens fully.

Is this the problem in question?

http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx? ... 2068fabeae

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 31 Mar 2014, 21:22

It is unnatural....

Lightndattic · by **Lightndattic** » 01 Apr 2014, 16:25

cantaz wrote:
Lightndattic wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought the 'intermediate' position of the lift fan cover wasn't supposed to be used due to the hinge issue? Every pic of video I've seen of Mode 4 flight including transitions the cover opens fully.

Is this the problem in question?

http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx? ... 2068fabeae

Yes, that's it. I guess they've completed the retrofit to the stronger hinges on the aux inlet doors and can motor around normally now.