EAF enables JSF landing anywhere, everywhere News Release Number: E200906291
06/29/2009
http://www.navair.navy.mil/newsreleases ... ew&id=4144
"PATUXENT NAVAL AIR STATION, Md. -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 gave engineers help in April to lay the first expeditionary landing site for the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities testing.
Expeditionary Airfields are mobile systems that allow Marines to quickly build functioning airfields in areas without airfield support. EAFs are built using AM-2 matting: aluminum panels which are assembled in a brickwork pattern to form runways, taxiways, parking sites and other areas required for aircraft operations and maintenance.
These EAFs allow the JSF to perform missions in any terrain that does not support a standard-use airfield in mission-critical areas.
“This joint testing is a significant step for the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program,” said ALRE Program Manager Capt. Randy Mahr. “The JSF and EAF have an integral relationship in expanding our capabilities and success on the battlefield. The EAF’s AM-2 matting is battle tested, dependable and versatile. It’s exactly what we need for our expeditionary landing and take-off platforms.”
Although the AM-2 matting is serving its purpose as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) pads and a 1,900 x 96-foot runway for the EAF/STOVL testing, it also doubles as the run-up for a test “ski-jump” used in conjunction with JSF testing for the British Royal Navy. The AM-2 matting and the 12-degree ski-jump ramp were installed at the centerfield area last month.
“NAVAIR is excited about our involvement in the JSF program, said Mike Jiavaras, ALRE’s EAF team leader. “Knowing that the first time this aircraft demonstrates its impressive VTOL capabilities will be on an expeditionary airfield raises the level of pride the team has in our program and in support of the warfighter.”
The ski-jump ramp is used by British Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Invincible-class carriers for launch of STOVL aircraft, such as the Harrier GR7A, and is located on the forward-end of the flight deck. JSF program experts explain that the ski-jump is a more fuel efficient way for aircraft take-off. However, the drawback is that it does not allow larger aircraft such as the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler - future carrier deck-mates with the JSF, the needed distance for launch and recovery.
The mock ski-jump is 150-feet long, with a 15-foot high “lip” for aircraft launch. These shore-based ski-jump takeoffs will be conducted at varying airspeeds prior to the first UK ship detachment with the F-35B.
“We are extremely excited about getting the first of eight F-35’s to Patuxent River beginning this summer. The first aircraft to arrive, a STOVL aircraft designated BF-1, will use test facilities we have built to test and verify the unique warfighting capabilities the STOVL variant brings. We look forward to supporting the long-standing traditions of expeditionary warfare capabilities for the next 50 years of Marine Corps aviation,” said Capt. Wade Knudson, acting deputy program executive officer and program manager for F-35 Lightning II development."
A4G Skyhawk: www.faaaa.asn.au/spazsinbad-a4g/ & www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqC_s6gcCVvG7NOge3qfAQ/videos?view_as=subscriber