F-35 flight tests

[Guest pfcem]

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/20...test/index.html

[Guest Charles]

Interesting post pfcem.

Bout bloody time this beast started to perform. There where questions in the past as to whether the F-35 would be viable or not.

Our new PM has just kicked off the moolah for our new carriers. I would like to think that the F-35B (the STOVL version?) will be ready to embark when our new carriers receive their air groups.

 

Charles

[Archie Pellagio]

What I love if how inferior this is to the F-22, yet how awesome it is compard with everything else in the skies today...

[Guest Charles]

What I love if how inferior this is to the F-22, yet how awesome it is compard with everything else in the skies today...

 

When one considers the amount of money the US has spent in R&D on the F-22; I would like to think that the Raptor is the current reigning air superiority champ. If not, then the US MIC has seriously stiffed their tax payers , and the G men/women need to knock on some execs doors (preferably at 02:00, just in the middle of some debauched party ).

 

The only thing that concerns me, is that we (UK armed forces) get the F-35 on time. On budget ? . We shall see.

 

Charles

[harryRIEDL]

interestingly both the UK and Dutch will be getting the 1st F35 in 2009 a full 3 years before the carriers

 

i can't rember were i read it though

[DesertFox]

What I am amazed about is how much hatred some people seem to have for the F-35

[Praet]

What I love if how inferior this is to the F-22, yet how awesome it is compard with everything else in the skies today...

Yawn

[Sikkiyn]

What I am amazed about is how much hatred some people seem to have for the F-35

 

 

People naturally resist change.

[swerve]

interestingly both the UK and Dutch will be getting the 1st F35 in 2009 a full 3 years before the carriers

 

i can't rember were i read it though

 

IIRC we'll get two for testing & training, then no more for a few years.

[Smitty]

People naturally resist change.

 

People naturally resist $300+ billion in spending.

[wallaby bob]

What I love if how inferior this is to the F-22, yet how awesome it is compard with everything else in the skies today...

[/quote LUKE. Given yhe somewhat restrictive nature of the flight envenlope of the test aircraft it's hard to see how anyone could use it's pertormance against other warplanes in anything approaching a realistic manner. YES it does fly, which some appear to have doubted, AND it can definitely outrun a Blackburn ROC. 225mph versus 190mph. I seriuosly doubt that any thinking person would at this early stage of testing make any pronouncements regarding it's final performance. WB

Edited July 21, 2007 by wallaby bob

[Sikkiyn]

Given yhe somewhat restrictive nature of the flight envenlope of the test aircraft it's hard to see how anyone could use it's pertormance against other warplanes in anything approaching a realistic manner. YES it does fly, which some appear to have doubted, AND it can definitely outrun a Blackburn ROC. 225mph versus 190mph. I seriuosly doubt that any thinking person would at this early stage of testing make any pronouncements regarding it's final performance. WB

 

Feels like an F16 and handles like a Hornet at slow speeds is a good starting indicator, even under restrictive conditions.

I'm willing to bet that it has better alpha than a Hornet.

 

I am equally curious to see what the less restrictive testing produces, but somehow I think a lot of the actual data will not make it to the publics' plate.

[Guest pfcem]

Given yhe somewhat restrictive nature of the flight envenlope of the test aircraft it's hard to see how anyone could use it's pertormance against other warplanes in anything approaching a realistic manner. YES it does fly, which some appear to have doubted, AND it can definitely outrun a Blackburn ROC. 225mph versus 190mph. I seriuosly doubt that any thinking person would at this early stage of testing make any pronouncements regarding it's final performance. WB

Err...only the 1st flight was limited to 225 mph due to the landing gear remaining down during the entire flight. Maximum allowable flight speed has increased since then & chief test pilot Jon Beesley continues to be impressed. Also note that during the 1st flight, the F-35 took-off on military power.

 

It would help to read the entire article rather than just the 1st paragraph...

 

Some telling comments from the article:

 

"I continue to be impressed with the performance of the aircraft. The F-16s flying chase don't have near the fuel capacity or payload capability as the F-35. The Lightning II does very well in comparison. For example, the F-35 often forces the chase aircraft into afterburner when it is in military power."

 

"Most of the time we fly at about thirty to forty percent of available thrust. This airplane can go out to high subsonic speeds very easily without using afterburner."

 

"The handling qualities in these maneuvers were excellent with a notably smoother response and a better roll rate than I expected."

 

"Deceleration rates in the F-35 are similar to the F-16 as well, which is a design goal."

 

"Handling qualities during these rolls were outstanding with roll rates matching predictions."

 

"Summing up the flying characteristics: the F-35 flies a lot like the F-22 and has the size and feel of an F-16. The F-35 is a solid and very responsive airplane."

 

And note that AA-1 does not benefit from the weight reduction program so production aircraft could very well perform noticeably better...

Edited July 22, 2007 by pfcem

[DesertFox]

Given yhe somewhat restrictive nature of the flight envenlope of the test aircraft it's hard to see how anyone could use it's pertormance against other warplanes in anything approaching a realistic manner. YES it does fly, which some appear to have doubted, AND it can definitely outrun a Blackburn ROC. 225mph versus 190mph. I seriuosly doubt that any thinking person would at this early stage of testing make any pronouncements regarding it's final performance. WB

 

I rest my case!