F-35B Landing Practice

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 01/05/2016 at 17:28 • Filed to: planelopnik

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Back in May of 2015, these F-35B Lightning IIs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma perform field carrier landing practice (FCLP) on mock flight decks set up in the Arizona desert. While also designed to operate from decks with “ski jumps,” these Lightnings show that flat deck takeoffs are also possible, albeit by using every inch of the deck. The Marines plan to operate the F-35B from “unimproved surfaces at austere bases” but with “special, high-temperature concrete designed to handle the heat.” So, it seems that they still need some sort of improved surface to land on. The Marines declared the Lightning II had met initial operational capability on 31 July 2015, and they plan to purchase 340 F-35B and 80 F-35C (naval variant) fighters.

All that said, it’s still quite impressive to see these birds transition to hover and slide sideways for landing. It almost looks like something out of Star Wars.

For Sweden > ttyymmnn 01/05/2016 at 17:40

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Just imagine what it could be if it didn’t have to share an air frame with the Air Force.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > ttyymmnn 01/05/2016 at 17:40

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The takeoffs are actually easier on a ship, as you get a free 20ish kt headstart. Also, he isn’t using the whole “deck.” It looks like they are starting the takeoff roll at the cutout for the port-side deck elevator, which is at the aft end of the island, so its about 2/3 the length of the flight deck.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn 01/05/2016 at 17:41

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VTOL/SVTOL is always rad looking...just not as practical in this form as was sold.

ttyymmnn > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 01/05/2016 at 17:48

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I see what you’re saying, but this still looks like the end of the deck to me. I have no idea how much real estate they’d have on a real ship. Probably not much more than he’s taking.

I also found this picture.

ttyymmnn > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 01/05/2016 at 17:50

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you get a free 20ish kt headstart.

True. That counts for a lot.

ttyymmnn > For Sweden 01/05/2016 at 17:52

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Yeah, I think it’s pretty clear that nobody bothered to read the chapter in the history books about the F-111. There’s a reason that purpose-built fighters are built for a purpose. In all the writing I’ve done the last 6 months about aviation, it is very clear that Navy/USMC jets are quite different from USAF jets, and never the twain shall meet. Nor should we try. Hell, it’s probably going to be all UCAVs in twenty years anyway.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > ttyymmnn 01/05/2016 at 18:22

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The area that has the diagonal yellow lines is the ‘not deck’ part of the runway. It does use every inch of the deck in front of it on its takeoff role, but it could lift off sooner if it started farther back.

user314 > For Sweden 01/06/2016 at 15:51

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The Marines should have got the STOVL F-32, the Air Force the F-35A, and the Navy the F-22N

It would have been cheaper, and better for all concerned.