Forum: General F-35 Forum

Hmmm, interesting spin on the story by the editor.. Oh, wait a minute.. is that A EF Typhoon ad at the top of their webpage??., shame on me.. .

spazsinbad wrote:

Referring to the 'e-mail' posted at the top of this page on this thread by 'popcorn' (Pentagon Says Marine F-35 Model Successful in First Sea Trials) we have this FUD DefAero editor's note from: [Geez I'm pleezed nothing went wrong!] Devil

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... rials.html

F-35B Completes First Sea Trials on USS Wasp
(Source: US Naval Air Systems Command; issued Oct. 24, 2011)

"(EDITOR’S NOTE: Contrary to its normal practice when referring to the F-35, Navair does not use the word “successful” to describe these trials, which have already been the subject of pointed questions by outside observers.

And Navair uses a remarkably neutral tone to describe trials which, if successful, would vindicate backers of the troubled F-35B.

Also, while noting at length that tests were carried out to see how the flight deck copes with high temperatures generated by the F-35B, this statement provides no information about the results, other than to say they generated “real good assessments for the road ahead.”

[Elsehere on this forum it is noted that 'there were no surprises' to paraphrase:
http://www.f-16.net/index.php?name=PNph ... sis#207001

The F-35 Introduces Change Across the Maritime Fleet Oct/31/2011

http://www.sldinfo.com/the-f-35-introdu ... ime-fleet/

"...Kalnajs: On the deck, we have thermacouples on the underside, and we also have the sensors to measure the deflection and also screenings. That enables us to understand what the thermal effects are and what the resulting stresses are on the underdecks. And we also instrumented the ship with acoustic sensors. And our updated collection is very repeatable, which give you good predictions....

...Kalnajs: We have real time data, but it’s not anything out of the norm. So, we’re pretty confident that there’s nothing mysterious going on that will affect us at this point...."]

Clearly, according to Navair, these trials did not provide anything to crow about.

But Joseph DellaVedova, a spokesman for the Joint Strike Fighter program, is much more upbeat about the trials. He was quoted overnight by Bloomberg news service as saying in an e-mail that the trials achieved “all planned flight envelope test points,” and that “We’ve been pleased with the initial sea trials” and that the aircraft “performed to predictions.”) Good Onya Joe! Cheers

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spazsinbad wrote:

Magic is as Magic does: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/631 ... 51d7_b.jpg

Spaz thanks "A Million $" Very Happy

for this photo, it is the "Classic" F-35B photo depicting the complexity of the flight controls algorithms for STOVL. It clearly shows a takeoff with the elevators in a "Lift" or cupped position. No other aircraft has ever been designed with this unique control configuration (opposite of conventional flight controls). It also clearly shows the power of the awesome F-135 engine and lift system; "What a Ride!". Cool

All we need now is a classic 'hook down over the ramp mit LSOs' pic. Very Happy

New video showing a lot of STOs and VLs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki86x1WKPmE

SWP, thanks. At last a meaningful 'story' video. Note the Chief unconcerned by VL and the chap at the bow for the STO! All safe - all good to go. 'Crazy' thumb guy. Twisted Evil

What da ya know. Didn't melt the deck, didn't blow the island overboard (that's hyperbole for all you haters), I guess us critics will just have to fall back on cost/maintenance issues.

It's kind of scary to see the main gear still on the deck two feet before the edge. The pilot may have felt like going over the edge Surprised

The F-35B is partly wing and partly jet (but TODALLY) airborne at that stage

Take another look at he vid, specifically the 41 second mark. For the acceleration down the deck, the horizontals are "horizontal" (pardon the pun) and begin to rotate down at about 1 plane length away from the edge. The 2nd pic above shows them still "horizontal" while 1/2 the plane is already over the edge. This may have been just them testing different aspects of takeoff.

There is a good sequence at 1:13 that shows this from the rear aspect.

Check out the "wonky" takeoff t 1:54 (heavy cross wind?).

As a comparison, the STO at the 2:56 mark shows the F-35B's rear gear leaving the deck over 1 plane length short of the edge.

Yes from reports on this thread or other threads there were different wind direction & speed Landings and STOs. Another page on this thread? describes different STOs, manual, automatic or a combination. SloMoSTO video on page 5 of this thread shows a variation? http://www.f-16.net/index.php?name=PNph ... sto#205249

I see SWP has another F-35 test video with some great 'night time' views of the ships at sea near the end:

F-35_Highlights_Oct2011_720.flv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioF__z5hDAo

"Uploaded by spudmanwp on Nov 4, 2011"

SpudmanWP wrote:

New video showing a lot of STOs and VLs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki86x1WKPmE

Fantastic video. If you check the video at the 1:32 mark forward, you'll see the DAS apertures unmasked for landing. How is that done?

(Off topic: This video renders beautifully at 720p full screen - it's cinema quality. I recently bought a new home PC after 10 years with the old one, and I got a widescreen HD monitor. If you're considering one, I can't recommend widescreen HD highly enough. Anything in 1080p, although it's slow to load if you're streaming data over the internet, renders like you're right there.)

I found the DAS apertures. They're much smaller than what I expected them to be.

Anyway I love the night vision pics of the landing. The EODAS really should help in making carrier landings so much easier considering the resolution shown.

There is a much bigger sensor on the other side of that aperture.

Despite budget questions, Lockheed Martin pushing F-35 fighter tests Bob Cox - Fort Worth Star-Telegram : Nov/05/11

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/11/0 ... kheed.html

"...Rein said he was not aware of any serious mechanical or flight handling problems that have been discovered during testing. "We've killed some bad myth," Rein said, referring to speculation that the F-35 jet exhaust would damage the amphibious ship or that engine downwash on landing and takeoff would make it hazardous for personnel to work near the aircraft...."

Read more: [yeah but same as the 'flight test updates recently' etc. so... Always worth a jump for the interest that is in it.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/11/0 ... kheed.html

Here is an interesting tidbit about a 24 minute flight.

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/f35_arti ... item_id=83

Quote:

24 September 2011
Three STOs And Three VLs On One Fuel Load

Three short takeoff/vertical landing circuits on one fuel load were accomplished for the first time. BAE test pilot Peter Wilson flew the 0.4-hour mission in BF-3 for field carrier landing practice, or FCLP, with USS Wasp (LHD-1) personnel at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, to prepare for ship suitability testing. It was Flight 141 in BF-3.

Forum: General F-35 Forum

First Deck Landing F-35B / USS Wasp