Posted on 08/20/2013 9:38:59 AM PDT by lbryce
Direct Video Linki YouTube:F-35B Accomplishes First Night Vertical Landing Aboard USS WASP
On Aug. 14, the first DT-II (Developmental Test Phase Two – the second of three planned tests aimed at expanding the F-35B’s shipboard operating envelope for the U.S. Marine Corps) night vertical landing was executed by F-35 Marine Corps test pilot, Lt. Col. C.R. “Jimi” Clift. Clift, a Harrier pilot.
The F-35B is the STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) of the JSF, destined to replace all the USMC assets, including the Harrier jump jet and the F/A-18 Hornet.
Just to apprise everyone of the fact that there’s no recording of any audio accompanying the video.
I liked the short takeoff part...
But don’t worry, the “it’s a piece of crap” folks will be along shortly.
Thanks for posting.
Good; that way I don’t have to read posts complaining about a a good serviceman’s inevitable salty language.
Anyone know what if any modifications are necessary to protect the flight deck from a direct blast from the engines?
Yes, they have heat resistant stuff on them apparently, they learned from Harriers and stuff. Plus other jets take off with after burners and they are protected from that and from the hard landings those aircraft have.
It's made of asbestos. It's fireproof. No worries. lol
If memory serve me correctly the F-35 during design was supposed to be VTOL. Does anyone know if the spec was changed or am I mistaken.
I remember seeing a video of the F-35 contract winner taking off vertically and the competitor for the contract could not do it without removing the cowlings for the landing gear.
Same stuff used for years...AV8Bs did more damage to the decks than this...This aircraft is designed to mitigate a lot of that damage...It looks pretty knarly with the single jet blast coming down like that, but put this vid side to side with a Harrier and you will see a tremendous difference...
I’ve noticed Harriers in vertical taking off and landing in an unstable manner, rotating horizontally, pivoting 10-15 degrees in each direction while the F-35 does it without the slightest instability as if on railroad tracks.
There is a much better flight control system (stabilizing software) in the new jet, obviously...We’ve learned a ton on how to operate aircraft like this off these Amphibs for years...
It will be nice to see a better capability for the Marine Air detachments, and the Navy will love phasing these in as well...
I’m still not convinced about the unmanned drones though operating off the carriers though...
Maintenance, cost effectiveness, getting the CVN’s and the airwings to handle only a few different types of aircraft is way better in the long run for national defense...
>>If memory serve me correctly the F-35 during design was supposed to be VTOL. Does anyone know if the spec was changed or am I mistaken.<<
It can take off vertically if it needs to. Short-takeoff allows it to get in the air with more fuel and ordinance. Vertical takeoff video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW28Mb1YvwY
Thank you! I didn’t think that I was losing it! ;-)
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