Wed, Aug 24, 2011
Exercise Resulted In "No Surprises"
The F-35C is another step closer to initial ship trials on an
aircraft carrier at sea.
The F-35 integrated test force completed jet blast deflector
(JBD) testing at the NAVAIR facility in Lakehurst, N.J. Aug. 13
with a round of two-aircraft testing. F-35C test aircraft CF-1
along with an F/A-18E tested a combined JBD cooling panel
configuration to assess the integration of F-35s in aircraft
carrier launch operations. "We completed all of our JBD test points
efficiently," said Andrew Maack, government chief test engineer.
"It was a great collaborative effort by all parties."
The government and industry team completed tests that measured
temperatures, pressures, sound levels, velocities, and other
environmental data. The combined JBD model will enable carrier deck
crews to operate all air wing aircraft, now including the F-35C, as
operational tempo requires. "We came out of testing with no
surprises," said Maack. "The fact that we've collected all the data
required to validate our requirements is a testament to the talent
on the team and all of their pre-testing preparation and
simulations."
Future carrier suitability testing is scheduled throughout this
year, including ongoing catapult testing and the start of
arrestment testing in preparation for initial ship trials in
2013.
The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is
distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing
surfaces and reinforced landing gear for catapult launch, slower
landing approach speeds, and deck impacts associated with the
demanding carrier take-off and landing environment.
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