Two
U.S. Navy F-35C stealth fighters are set to contuct the first aircraft
carrier tests over the next two weeks on board USS Nimitz (CVN-68).
Test aircraft CF-3 and CF-5 will be used for the test that will reflect
typical carrier operations: Touch and go, arrested landings and catapult
launches. Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, the Joint Strike Fighter program executive
officer said the two F-35Cs are flying directly to the carrier and will
land using arresting gear. “We’re not putting them on
the ship with a crane.” |
The
F-35C carrier variant (CV) is the U.S. Navy’s first stealth fighter
and the world’s only 5th Generation, long-range stealth strike
fighter designed and built explicitly for carrier operations.
The F-35C variant has larger wings and more robust landing gear than
the other variants, making it suitable for catapult launches and fly-in
arrestments aboard naval aircraft carriers. Its wingtips also fold to
allow for more room on the carrier’s deck while deployed.
During testing in 2011, all eight landing tests of the F-35C failed
to catch the arresting wire; a redesigned tail hook was developed and
delivered two years later in response. In February 2014, Lockheed said
the F-35C was on schedule for sea trials after the tailhook was redesigned.
The new tailhook has a different shape to better catch arresting wires.
Testing on land achieved 36 successful landings. |
