Mon, Dec 02, 2013
Proprietary Technology Enables STOVL Capability
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a $215 million contract to produce and support LiftSystems for the F-35 Lightning II program, and F-35B jets continue to demonstrate success in operations, training and test. The unique technology of the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem provides F-35B aircraft with the capability to perform short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL) and is currently in service with the US Marine Corps in Yuma, AZ. The new agreement with Pratt & Whitney for the sixth production lot includes six LiftSystems, plus sustainment, program management, engineering and field support.
"The innovative Rolls-Royce LiftSystem continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in field operation and in the recent F-35B shipboard trials on the USS Wasp." said Dave Gordon, Rolls-Royce, LiftSystem Program Director. "As we expand our field support, we remain focused on efficiency and further increasing the affordability of LiftSystems for the F-35B Lightning II."
Rolls-Royce has delivered 42 LiftSystems and has expanded field support to include five locations where F-35B aircraft are flown. Those include Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where a USMC pilot recently conducted the first short take-off and vertical landing of an F-35B at the base.
Additionally, the F-35B fleet continues to demonstrate success as it nears multiple major milestones. In over 450 flights of Mode 4 operation ("powered lift" mode) F-35B aircraft have completed over 1,000 short take-offs, 640 vertical landings (including over 150 aboard the USS Wasp), 550 slow landings and 250 hover test points. In addition to supporting the recent Wasp ship trials, Rolls-Royce is working with the US Marine Corps to prepare for achieving Initial Operational Capability in 2015.
(Image provided by the U.S. Navy)
More News
Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]
Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]