by John Reed on July 28, 2011
Here you have it; video of the first ever catapult launch of an F-35C carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter. The JSF’s inaugural cat shot happened yesterday at the Navy’s air engineering center at Lakehurst ‚N.J.
From appearances, the shot went off without a hitch. This is one more small step toward getting the jet to the fleet.
July 28th, 2011 | Around the Globe, F-35 Watch, Fast Movers, JSF Watch, Marine Corps, Money Money Money, Navy, Planes, Copters, Blimps, Video Lounge | 1382232 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fdefensetech.org%2F2011%2F07%2F28%2Fvideo-the-f-35cs-first-catapult-launch%2FVideo%3A+The+F-35C%27s+First+Catapult+Launch2011-07-28+13%3A31%3A53John+Reedhttp%3A%2F%2Fdefensetech.org%2F%3Fp%3D13822
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice
Awesome.
Why is there no Kenny Loggins playing in the background?
Thanks! Now I can’t get “(Highway to the) Danger Zone” out of my head…
I was reading elsewhere that the nose bobble at the start of the pull is typical of empty/low weight of the aircraft. It should go away with a loaded aircraft.
That doesnt sound right
Call me civi but why is the F35C marked with Air Force and not Navy?
The air force is responsible for testing?
Where do you see that?
I don't see any service specific markings, where did you see AF?
I believe FG's referring to the circled star and bands under the c0ckpit.
Rlc4id xomrpmayabrt
The words navy are on the plane look at the rear below the wing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/59848…
Here is a clearer version of the NAVY 'insignia' on the rear of CF-02, the first cat shot was CF-03 but you can see that the NAVY paint job is the same on both of them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/57443…
Well, Since it took place at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, NJ, the testing facility for ALL Carrier based Naval Aircraft, it has to be a Naval Aircraft but a lot of those "Sailors" may be civilian workers who are attached to the Naval Air Test Facility. I Viewed the video twice and saw no Service markings of any kind on the plane. Perhaps because the plane is a test vehicle belonging to Lockheed/Martin???
Just me or did it look like there was a lot of elevator and aileron movement going on? I am assuming that the F-35, like the F-16, was designed to be inherently unstable, but…..
Looks about the same as an F-22 during takeoff. *shrug*
Just you…
There are ailerons on the F-35C I do believe, but not the A and B.
WOW!!! Any other plane did it so smooth never
While I frequently rail against the AF and their toys, I gotta admit I am a sucker for some miltech porn.
Good thing this is the Navys toy then, huh?
Great Launch, next is a good trap.
Ain't it great to spend all those fat taxpayer dollars?
A bit timid about pulling in the landing gear. eh?
Hi troll, if you knew anything you would know that all test flights for every aircraft are done gear down.
I don't think he's a "troll" just for making an observation/asking a question.
We aren't all as smart as YOU!!
Enjoy it while you can as like it's twin engine older brother, the F-22 Raptor; the Obama Administration was soon label the F-35 Lightning II as being a relic of the Cold War and cap production of the F-35 fighter jet at 2.
See, Hunter? SEE?
I actually work on this acft as a Qa. I was involved with the release of this cat. launch. I can tell you it had only 6 flts on it, performed exceptionally well. and had a 6k fuel load on it. (Max is 19K) We did 3 more succesful cat launches consecutively with a hot pit..it kicked Butt! and came back code 1 to boot!
You guys are doing good things there Ray, getting flights in and out on a daily basis. I knid of miss turning wrenches over there and I'm glad to see the maintainers carry the load right now. Good stuff!
WOOOO, THIS IS TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST. THE SIGHT OF THE CAT ALONE IS FRIGHTEN.BEST REGARDS.
oBAMA IS STUCK – TOO MUCH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN THE BUILD OF THIS BIRD! mOST OF EUROPE, THE AUSIES, CANADIANS ALL BUILDING PART OF IT.
Less chance than with an F-18, they sit higher on an F-35.
that would SUCK