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Naval
Forces News - USA |
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US
Navy/USMC Team: Testing F-35B Lightning II Aircraft Aboard USS Wasp
(LHD 1) |
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Two
F-35B Lightning II jets (BF-01 and BF-05) touched down aboard the amphibious
assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) Aug. 12, kicking off week of Development
Testing II (DT-II) where Wasp Sailors and Integrated Test Force (ITF)
team members are testing and further validating the F-35B.
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DT-II
is the second of three test phases encompassing numerous milestone events
including the first night operation at sea as well as the first launch
and recovery of the F-35B at sea by a U.K. test pilot. The goal of this
testing is to further define F-35B operating parameters aboard amphibious
ships such as Wasp.
The F-35 Lightning II is the next generation strike aircraft for the
U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, as well as eight international
partners. The jet combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility,
fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced
sustainment. Wasp is testing the F-35B, which has short takeoff/vertical
landing (STOVL) capability, enabling it to operate from a wider range
of ships and in support of expeditionary operations. |
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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 14, 2013) An F-35B Lightning II aircraft takes
off from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during the second
at-sea F-35 developmental test event. The F-35B is the Marine Corps
variant of the joint strike fighter and is undergoing testing aboard
Wasp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael
T. Forbes II/Released)
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"It's
a significant milestone for the F-35 program," said Capt. Erik
Etz, Director, Test & Evaluation F-35 Naval Variants. "We're
providing an envelope that will be utilized by Marine Corps and U.K.
aviators when they go out and employ the aircraft in a real environment.
The ability to operate at night is critical and so certainly the testing
we're doing here will provide a significant amount of data so we can
clear the envelope and clear the aircraft to operate day and night,
when the Marine Corps takes the F-35B to initial operating capability
in 2015."
Wasp and the ITF completed a major milestone when Lt. Col. C. R. Clift
launched from the flight deck and landed safely, marking the first successful
night launch and recovery of the F-35B at sea.
The pilots were pleased with the progress that the first night landings
at sea represent. "It all went extremely well," said Clift.
"Throughout the night we conducted eight successful launches and
landings, so we're on target and quickly gaining experience with F-35B
night operations at sea." |
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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 14, 2013) An F-35B Lightning II aircraft lands
aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during the second
at-sea F-35 developmental test event. The F-35B is the Marine Corps
variant of the joint strike fighter and is undergoing testing aboard
Wasp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael
T. Forbes II/Released)
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Launch
and recoveries filled the first, second and third days at sea creating
smooth, synchronized daytime operations. Wasp flight deck crew members
were trained in advance of DT-II to prepare them for F-35B operations
at sea, ensuring all those involved were ready to support DT-II.
"The crew itself has spent quite a bit of time up at Patuxent River
working with the F-35B understanding how the aircraft operates,"
said Capt. Brian Teets, Wasp's commanding officer. "What we've
been able to bring is a consistent platform to the F-35B to support
their testing. It's the same ship with the same capabilities, providing
consistency and stability as a reliable test platform. Employing a consistent
test platform allows the team to find ways to optimize this new aircraft
in the Marine Air Combat Element."
U.K. Squadron Leader Jim Schofield, a Royal Air Force pilot became the
first international pilot to conduct sea-based launch and landing in
the F-35B.
"It's exciting to see the integration of this new plane with the
amphibious assault ships," said Schofield. "After a year leading
up to this evolution, it's awesome to get here and start. And the crew
has been especially accommodating and efficient at running these tests
smoothly."
The historical milestones were not lost on Wasp crew members, but for
most it was "business as usual", focusing on safety and effectiveness
during flight operations at sea. Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling)
1st Class Ashley Geary gave the signal to launch BF-05 for the first
night flight operations.
"It was fun knowing we're making history," said Geary. "We
worked with the test team at Patuxent River for a week, learning about
the F-35B and its operations. They took our suggestions on flight deck
procedures, ensuring we were one team working together towards a successful
mission. The launch went well, without a hitch."
The F-35 Lightning II is scheduled to replace 13 different legacy aircraft
in the current U.S. defense inventory. Sea trials for the Navy's F-35C
aircraft carrier variant are scheduled at the end of 2014.
By Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Michael T. Forbes, USS Wasp
Public Affairs |
