F-16.net

2015 STRIKE TEST NEWS
2015 VX-23 LCDR Daniel “Tonto” Kitts

"...F-35C Carrier Suitability (continued)
The Pax River ITF team is now in heavy preparation for F-35C DT-II. Shore-based catapults and arrested landings are prerequisites for DT-II and modification to the jet that incorporated the hardware for the GEN III helmet HMD is undergoing “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” tests. Additionally, the team is conducting a structural survey with [intentional] mis-serviced landing gear on the aircraft.

The goal of DT-II will be to complete the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Bulletins. Additional at-sea tests include afterburner catapult shots, DFP performance with a 4-degree glideslope, completion of catapult minimum energy shots, and night arrested landings. The completion of all of the DT-II objectives and the shore-based mis-serviced landing gear tests will clear the envelope for operational users to conduct day and night carrier qualifications.

The pace of testing will remain high as the F-35C Carrier Suit team prepares for the final developmental test at-sea period (DT-III) in 2016 and for USN IOC. In the meantime, various loadings of external stores will require a significant amount of shore-based catapults and arrested landings at Patuxent River and Lakehurst."

Source: http://issuu.com/nawcad_pao/docs/striketest2015_single (PDF 3.6Mb)

F-35C Arrest Test https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedm ... ateposted/
CF-5 during arrestment testing at NAS Patuxent River. July 21, 2015
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedm ... 4/sizes/o/ Original 1.3Mb JPG

U.S. Navy's F-35 test to include new helmet, full weapons load
23 Sep 2015 Andrea Shalal

"The U.S. Navy's next round of carrier testing of the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35C stealth fighter jet will include new helmets and jets fully loaded with internal weapons, a company official told Reuters.

During the tests, scheduled for the first two weeks of October, two F-35s will also test the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS), an all-weather, GPS-guided landing system being designed by Raytheon Co, Lockheed's F-35 program manager, Lorraine Martin, said in an interview....

...She said the U.S. government is providing information about the aircraft to other countries, identified by sources familiar with the program as Singapore, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Finland and Spain.... [Any F-35Bs?]

...The U.S. Navy, which carried out the first round of at-sea testing on the USS Nimitz last November, plans to have an initial squadron of jets ready for combat by late 2018 or early 2019.

Martin said the jets' performance during the first round of carrier testing had helped build confidence in the program.

This time, one Lockheed and three government pilots will be using the jet's improved Generation-3 helmet, which is already being used for testing on land. They will fly with a full store of internal weapons and full fuel tanks to test the jet's performance at higher weights. There are no plans to fire the weapons, officials said.

U.S. defense officials said the tests would also include catapult takeoffs with after-burner power,[I'm not sure if I heard correctly OR LM F-35C test pilot said during brief at TAILHOOK 2015 that the pilot lights the after burner after the first night catapult 'because he got scared' (or words to that effect). Perhaps he was just joking.] more night approaches and landings, engine runs for maintainers and other parameters aimed at creating conditions that are more similar to combat.

They said the tests would not include a portable version of the F-35's complex, computer-based logistics system, with the data required to be relayed via communications links instead."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/ ... 7F20150923

"...No Moon, Overcast, Rain, 1,100 foot ceiling..."

2015 STRIKE TEST NEWS
2015 VX-23 Maj John “Ike” Dirk

"...Mission Systems
The F-35 ITF tests four SDD aircraft fully equipped with production-representative mission systems. Aircraft modifications are ongoing to continue testing on Block 3i and 3F capabilities including the GEN III HMD.

The GEN III HMD features improved stability, more accurate bore sighting, and improved night performance. In place of traditional Night Vision Goggles, the helmet-mounted night vision camera aids night operations for the F-35. The GEN III HMD also features a higher resolution camera than previous HMDs. This new system enables the electronic removal of the aircraft canopy bow from the scene by using a new fixed camera installed within the aircraft. Aided aerial refueling, simulated expeditionary airfield operations, and shipboard operations with the GEN III HMD are ongoing and are demonstrating promising results for acuity, clarity, and stability...."

Source: http://issuu.com/nawcad_pao/docs/striketest2015_single (PDF 3.6Mb)

F-35C Completes First Night Flight Aboard Aircraft Carrier viewtopic.php?f=57&t=26634&p=281607&hilit=Dyckman#p281607
14 Nov 2014 Commander Naval Air Forces, Public Affairs

"...Navy test pilot Lt. Cmdr. Ted "Dutch" Dyckman piloted F-35C test aircraft CF-03 for the inaugural night flight, taking off from USS Nimitz (CVN 68). At 6:01 p.m. Dyckman conducted a series of planned touch and goes before making an arrested landing at 6:40 pm...."

Source: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84456

jessmo111 wrote:Here is to hoping the final version of the helmet does alot to alleviate, disorientation. Seeing as how the thing is SUPPOSED to turn night into day, and allow you to do the wiz bang, Star trek see through the plane thing.
When there is an Class-A mishap ( and god forbid knock on wood) I feel sorry for the poor guy watching the ocean get closer through the airframe.

Navy to test F-35C Lighting II aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
28 Sep 2015 Todd Corillo

"...The second developmental test phase of the F-35C Lightning II aircraft will begin aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Monday, October 5, 2015.

Two F-35Cs are scheduled to conduct the training on the Eisenhower through October 15.

According to Naval Air Force Atlantic, the testing will include day and night carrier qualifications, night operations with the Generation III Helmet Mounted Display, Delta Flight Path testing as well as F-35 Joint Precision Approach and Landing System testing...."

Source: http://wtkr.com/2015/09/28/navy-to-test ... isenhower/