F-35C Lands at Lakehurst For Testing

VX-23 STRIKE TEST NEWS 2015 is now available at ISSUU (what a pain) so I'll attach bits 'n pieces willy nilly throughout.... PDF attached is only three pages of 40 but has the carpet stain & PALS & Shake Yur Booty.

2015 STRIKE TEST NEWS
2015 VX-23 LT Brent “ROTC” Robinson

"Magic Carpet
Project Magic Carpet is an innovative set of flight control laws combined with enhanced Head-Up Display (HUD) symbology for the F/A-18 E/F/G designed to significantly simplify the carrier landing task. The improvement to the flight control laws is twofold. First, we introduce Integrated Direct Lift Control (IDLC), and second we let the flight control computers compute and then maintain the desired ‘ideal’ glideslope. IDLC uses combined trailing edge flap and aileron movements to affect lift directly with an improved auto-throttle function. This allows the pilot extremely precise glidepath control using a single controller (the stick) to affect lift, vice the traditional method of artfully balancing AoA, manual throttle manipulations, and stick inputs. Furthermore, because most of the glideslope deviations will now come from lift, the engines remain in a much tighter RPM band; thus, waiting for engine spool-up/down is no longer a factor. To make this whole ‘landing on a moving boat’ task even easier, the system can now maintain itself on the ideal glideslope with little to no inputs from the pilot. The glideslope reference angle and ship speed is selected by the pilot prior to the approach turn (or during, in cases of the SHB!). Then, with a subsequent depression of a single button, the aircraft will rotate, capture, and maintain the glideslope…hands off!

The enhanced HUD includes a new Ship Relative Velocity Vector (SRVV) and a Glideslope Reference line while removing the normal velocity vector and E-bracket. Together, these two tools allow the pilot to precisely view not only the magnitude of deviations, but also the magnitude of commanded corrections, completely removing the guesswork currently involved in flying the ball. Additionally, the SRVV acts as a novel lineup aid by allowing the pilot to simply place the symbol on the landing area centerline in order to maintain sufficient lineup to avoid a call from the Air Boss…essentially just ‘put the thing on the thing!”

After successful shore based testing, we took two jets to the mighty USS G.H.W. Bush to truly put MAGIC CARPET through her paces. After 181 approaches of intentional (and some un-intentional) ‘underline’ high, low, and overshooting starts, the data were eye-watering. With a significant decrease in pilot workload ratings, an increase in handling qualities ratings, and a reduction of over 50% in average touchdown dispersion the team believes they are on the cusp of revolutionizing the most stressful and dangerous part of daily operations of pointy-nose aircraft aboard carriers! Over the next two years, we will be further refining MAGIC CARPET to make the system more robust and useable in any F/A-18E/F/G configuration including asymmetric loadouts, half flaps, and single engine. MAGIC CARPET is expected to hit the fleet at the same time as the H12 SCS release."

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

They're making it almost too easy on them "Naval Aviators." If this works as advertised they might actually spend more time on tactics rather than worrying about getting back on deck. But if the system fails they'll probably have to just eject since they won't know how to land anymore...

You funny

“Magic Carpet” software may mean fewer touch-and-gos on Whidbey Island
15 Sep 2015 Joe Kunzler

“Software due for integration by the Navy in 2018 aims to reduce the number of touch-and-go training operations necessary for EA-18G Growler pilots. The training is conducted primarily on Whidbey Island at Ault Field in Oak Harbor and Outlying Field Coupeville.

The “Magic Carpet” software, as planned for the Boeing EA-18G of the Navy’s Electronic Attack Wing, will put the aircraft into a mode for a constant, safe rate of descent toward an aircraft carrier and help the pilot line up for landing.

“What I anticipate is that you will have a reduction in your Field Carrier Landing Practice requirements, your currency requirements at the carrier so you can focus rather on your real missions rather than this admin task,” according to test-pilot Lt. William Dann during an online question-and-answer session during the 2015 Tailhook convention Sept. 10-13. “It is making everything safer.”

However, Dann said his test pilots are unable to say specifically to what extend “Magic Carpet” will replace the need for FCLPs....

...The noise levels of the Navy’s latest electronic attack aircraft, the EA-18G Growler, has been an ongoing point of contention for residents living near the Navy’s airfields on Whidbey Island. Some residents claim the noise associated with the FCLPs decreases quality of life and has harmful health effects.

An Environmental Impact Statement on the Growlers and their basing at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station was initiated in late 2013. Vice Admiral Shoemaker, commander of U.S. Naval Air Forces, said he’s “hopeful as we work through that process we’ll get the necessary relief we need and be able to conduct our operations at Coupeville.”

“We have current limits as to what we can do every year in terms of the number of landings,” Shoemaker said. “The EIS will look to expand that. I won’t tell you the numbers there but it will be more realistic and reflective of what we need to do from a bouncing and FCLP perspective for the growing force up at Whidbey Island.””

Source: http://whidbeydailynews.com/2015/09/mag ... ey-island/

Some Magic Carpet Info Goodness accumulated to date in 33 page PDF attached.

A Hornet pilot inadvertently explains why 'MAGIC CARPET' is important (you will hear a muffled "I need a drink" near end).

Are these USMC Hornet pilots we see? Not that it matters because there are plenty of videos of USN pilots saying similar.

Also I note in this instance the wonkiness of the roll to the left on arrest as noted in one video of recent F-35C testing....

Hornet Pilot Night Pitching Deck USS Nimitz Pacific Experience

From same doco as above showing the deck moving during daytime however I doubt it was exactly like this during night but it was night youse know - WTF do I know? What is important is to watch the deck during the approaches; NOT the cutaways probably showing the CVN deck movement when it is maneuvering for flight ops. Pacific Swells - gotta love 'em.

MAGIC CARPET is so easy that GREENert could do it from his sub experience level.

Manned flight simulator continues to advance modeling and simulation after 30 years
28 Oct 2015 NAWCAD Public Affairs

"...M&S [modeling and simulation] is a key component for programs to save cost and schedule.

“Simulators play a major role in supporting safety-of-flight analysis prior to flight test and optimizing cost of flight test,” said Michael Piland, F-35 flight test simulation team lead. “When you can [simulate] instead of fly, you’ve saved a dollar. Simulation is a tool that the testers are using to be able to check out the aircraft’s capabilities before they turn it over to the fleet.”

Today, MFS continues to provide flexible simulation capability to test military aircraft, avionics and system software. The facility provides simulation capabilities to support aircraft system ground and flight test activities. The simulators are used for flying qualities and performance evaluations, avionics integration testing, mission scenario rehearsal, accident investigations, prototype evaluations, installed systems testing, and prototype simulator design.

MFS is poised to play a major role in T&E and LVC for at least another 30 years."

Source: http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fu ... ry&id=6099

AIReel: Manned Flight Simulator 30th Anniversary
Published on Oct 28, 2015 NAVAIRSYSCOM

"This year marks the 30th anniversary of NAVAIR’s Manned Flight Simulator (MFS) facility at Patuxent River, Md., a center of excellence for aircraft simulation. Watch the video to learn about MFS' contributions to our warfighters and how it's poised to play a major role in Naval Aviation for another 30 years."

JPG Caption: "Former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert [SUBmarine Guy] completes a successful carrier trap using the "Magic Carpet" system at the Manned Flight Simulator." http://www.navair.navy.mil/img/uploads/ ... 6-0172.jpg

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You'll see bits of the Carpet of Magic testing on computer screens in this video - this is a dyed in the wool Hornet pilot from the getgo.

NAVAIR True Headings: Vice Adm. Dunaway F/A-18 35th Anniversary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_dAxLiFKTk

He wirebrushed the F-35C hook folks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0molUKZnUqI OR
OR (same video just starts at the comment)
https://youtu.be/0molUKZnUqI?t=200 [Time of wirebrush comment]

True Headings: Farewell message from Vice Adm. David Dunaway ["YES - IF for Win/Win"]
Published on Nov 4, 2015 NAVAIRSYSCOM

"NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Dunaway talks about NAVAIR'S accomplishments, the work yet to be done, and what he'll miss most about the command in his farewell message. Dunaway retires Oct. 2 after more than 33 years of Navy service."

An Oldie but a Goldie from 2014 Pax River Preparation and DT-1 Tests USS Nimitz from the ITF Year in Review 2014.

DT-1 F-35C Year Review 2014 PAX River & USS Nimitz Tests

“Magic Carpet” software may mean fewer touch-and-gos on Whidbey Island
15 Sep 2015 Joe Kunzler

“Software due for integration by the Navy in 2018 aims to reduce the number of touch-and-go training operations necessary for EA-18G Growler pilots. The training is conducted primarily on Whidbey Island at Ault Field in Oak Harbor and Outlying Field Coupeville.

The “Magic Carpet” software, as planned for the Boeing EA-18G of the Navy’s Electronic Attack Wing, will put the aircraft into a mode for a constant, safe rate of descent toward an aircraft carrier and help the pilot line up for landing.

“What I anticipate is that you will have a reduction in your Field Carrier Landing Practice requirements, your currency requirements at the carrier so you can focus rather on your real missions rather than this admin task,” according to test-pilot Lt. William Dann during an online question-and-answer session during the 2015 Tailhook convention Sept. 10-13. “It is making everything safer.”

However, Dann said his test pilots are unable to say specifically to what extend “Magic Carpet” will replace the need for FCLPs....

...The noise levels of the Navy’s latest electronic attack aircraft, the EA-18G Growler, has been an ongoing point of contention for residents living near the Navy’s airfields on Whidbey Island. Some residents claim the noise associated with the FCLPs decreases quality of life and has harmful health effects.

An Environmental Impact Statement on the Growlers and their basing at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station was initiated in late 2013. Vice Admiral Shoemaker, commander of U.S. Naval Air Forces, said he’s “hopeful as we work through that process we’ll get the necessary relief we need and be able to conduct our operations at Coupeville.”

“We have current limits as to what we can do every year in terms of the number of landings,” Shoemaker said. “The EIS will look to expand that. I won’t tell you the numbers there but it will be more realistic and reflective of what we need to do from a bouncing and FCLP perspective for the growing force up at Whidbey Island.””

Source: http://whidbeydailynews.com/2015/09/mag ... ey-island/

Naval Outlying Field Coupeville

BAD Day - video posted above already.

An oldie but a goldie and proof? that the USN has trouble changing - ten years?! Bloody hell - not long to go for the F-35C.

Naval Aviators Can Be Slow to Embrace Technology
Nov 2015 Sandra I. Erwin

"Flight-control software that makes carrier deck landings easier and safer was not initially well received by the Navy’s fighter pilot community. But after a decade of development and testing, the technology soon will be widely used in the fleet. The system, dubbed “magic carpet,” illustrates why naval aviators need to be more open-minded about using unfamiliar new technologies, said Vice Adm. David A. “Decoy” Dunaway, commander of Naval Air Systems Command.

Sometimes cultural issues can slow down innovation in naval aviation, Dunaway cautioned a crowd of aviators at the annual Tailhook Association reunion in Sparks, Nevada.

“Are we receptive to change?” Dunaway asked. In the case of magic carpet, it took 10 years to get a “cultural acceptance” even though it promises to save hundreds of millions of dollars in operations and other costs over the coming decades. “But we thought in our own head that we had to stick with our old ways and couldn’t imagine a new way of doing business,” he added.

Navy commanders around the fleet are now raving about magic carpet, and are looking at new ways to apply the technology to fighter maneuvers, Dunaway noted. “It’s important we don’t drink our own bath water.”...

...Production-grade software for the fleet is scheduled to start flight tests in 2017."

Source: http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/ ... ology.aspx

This thread has a lot of stuff about arrested landings ashore for reels - here is an unusual sperspective:

http://www.fox23.com/news/f-15s-stop-at ... /217064400

Wrapup: HASC Passes FY2017 Defense Bill With Reagan-Era Spending Levels
29 Apr 2016 Megan Eckstein

"...• An amendment proposed by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) inquiring about the Navy’s advanced flight control software called Maritime Augmented Guidance with Integrated Controls for Carrier Approach and Recovery Precision Enabling Techniques (MAGIC CARPET), and asking for a briefing on how the software that helps pilots land on a carrier would affect workload, training requirements and cost...."

Source: https://news.usni.org/2016/04/29/wrapup ... ing-levels