Sun, Jan 16, 2011
First Vertical Landing With Return To Normal Flight
The Marine Corps performed a significant maneuver Wednesday with
the Corps’ short take-off and vertical landing variant of the
Joint Strike Fighter, the STOVL F-35B Lightning II. The BF-2,
a test version of the fighter jet, accomplished its first vertical
landing and conversion back to normal flight. This is an
important step for the fighter that the Corps has scheduled to
replace three other types of combat aircraft in its aging fleet:
the EA-6B Prowler, AV-8B Harrier and F-18 Hornet.
The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos has
communicated that the Corps will track the progress of the new
aircraft to ensure engineering and test points are accomplished
over the next two years. Despite some recent concerns over
performance, cost and schedule, the Marine Corps contends that it
is dedicated to the success of this program – and being
able to operate and land virtually anywhere in the world while
supporting the continuous tactical air missions the Corps
demands.
The STOVL JSF will carry more ordnance with greater range than
the F/A-18 Hornet, operate from austere expeditionary environments
like the AV-8B Harrier, and ultimately possess electronic warfare
technology similar to the EA-6B Prowler.
The Marine Corps anticipates reaching initial operational
capability for the JSF F-35B in 2012-2013. This first proven
capability step will include the a training squadron of 15 aircraft
in VMFAT-501 at Eglin AFB, an operational test and evaluation
detachment of 4 aircraft at Edwards AFB, and VMFA-332, the
Corps’ first operational squadron of 10 aircraft, at MCAS
Yuma. The VMFA-332 aircraft will be equipped, manned and
trained to execute Marine missions and deploy ashore or afloat from
U.S. Navy amphibious assault (L-Class) ships.
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