Why do we even bother to trust Lockheed Martin ?
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/6839/the-navys-f-35c-has-a-major-nose-gear-problem
t gives pilots one hell of a ride down the catapult track.
More than a decade after the Lockheed Martin F-35 began flight testing, the Navy’s catapult launch and barrier recovery (CATOBAR) variant, the F-35C, remains mired with teething issues. Now, one problem appears to be more debilitating than previously realized, and it’s rearing its head at a critical phase of flight for any Navy fighter—the catapult launch.
The issue occurs when a lightly loaded F-35C’s landing gear nose strut is compressed while the jet throttles up, right before launch. As the catapult fires and the hold back bar is released, the jet is rapidly pulled forward, during which time the strut oscillates violently up and down. The bouncing continues as the aircraft proceeds down the catapult track at increasing speed.
I've heard Lockheed Martin just needs another 2 or 3 years to fix the problem. (*Sheesh*. Why couldn't they employ a suspension lockout much like they do on mountain bikes to stop suspension oscillation.)
See my post 17.
“The issue occurs when a lightly loaded F-35C’s landing gear nose strut is compressed while the jet throttles up, right before launch. As the catapult fires and the hold back bar is released, the jet is rapidly pulled forward, during which time the strut oscillates violently up and down. The bouncing continues as the aircraft proceeds down the catapult track at increasing speed.”
That’s the best you got? Seriously engineers came up with 5 fixes by time you finished writing that down. Only bureaucracy keeps them from all being implemented already.
Why do we trust Lockheed? Oh maybe it is the DECADES of tireless work developing systems that keep our country safe. SR-71, F-16, F-22, C-130, and THOUSANDS of lesser known products you have never heard of. They are trusted because they are audited up the yin-yang and the bureaucrats are happy. Stop believing leftwing hit pieces.