USS Wasp

[Alan Dent]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ki86x1WKPmE

This video link is fresh (for the public).

It was made just 6 weeks ago in the Atlantic, just off Newport News ( Hampton Roads), Virginia ..



These are the latest sea trials of the F-35B on the USS Wasp.

They were very successful, with 74 VL's & STO's in a 3 week period.

The media and the program critics had predicted that we would burn holes in the deck and wash sailors overboard.

Neither of which happened. You will notice a sailor standing on the bow of the ship as the jet rotates.

That was an intentional part of the sea trials.

No catapult.... No hook... It's a new world out there!



The shape and scope of warfare - worldwide - just changed.

Click your mouse here: F-35B

[Grahame Hutchison]

Nice video Alan.

They seem to descend quite quickly onto the deck, however the suspension absorbs the impact and there is no bounce at all. The launches look great, with the down thrust spraying the ocean surface.

[Greg Hyde]

Several navies including the RAN will be interested on ski-jump trails.

When the latest RN carrier was commissioned (HMS QEII) there was a F-35 sitting on the ski ramp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth-class_aircraft_carrier

I wonder how much longer the takeoff run would be if the aircraft was fully fueled & armed ?

Great video

[Greg Hyde]

Found this video about HMS QE including F-35's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpLoTDi-0GA

[Radi K]

Awesome.

[MarkR]

No catapult.... No hook... It's a new world out there!



The shape and scope of warfare - worldwide - just changed.

Click your mouse here: F-35B

I am not sure a Harrier or VJ 101 pilot would agree with it being such a new world!

[Greg Hyde]

No F-35Bs for RAN

http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/07/no-f-35bs-for-ran-lhds-report/

Looks like we don't want to be "bleeding-edge" anymore. Ie: Wedgetail, Tankers etc.