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Category: Navy

F-35 Lightning II advances closer to full-rate production after successful JSE testing

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In a landmark achievement for the F-35 Lightning II program, the final Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) event was successfully completed on September 21st. This pivotal phase of testing took place in the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE), marking a significant milestone in the development of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

JOTT, F-35 Five Ship behind tanker, 1 F-35C, 2 F-35B, & 2 F-35A, Edwards AFB, Ca., 20 September 2019

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Milestone achieved: First SRVL landing on HMS Prince of Wales by F-35B

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It was a crisp October morning when the mighty HMS Prince of Wales, Britain’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, sliced through the waters of the Western Atlantic. Aboard the massive warship, anticipation buzzed through the crew and the test team. The goal: to execute the very first Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) with the formidable F-35B Lightning II fighter jet.

A controller watches from his position in flying control (FLYCO) one of the build-up flights for the first F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) aboard HMS Prince of Wales (R09) aircraft carrier in the Western Atlantic Oct. 17, 2023. An F-35 test pilot performed the first roll-on landing of an F-35B fighter jet aboard Britain’s biggest warship Oct. 19, 2023. Marine Maj. Paul Gucwa piloted the short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation strike aircraft for the first SRVL as part of developmental test phase 3 (DT-3) flight trials during the ship’s deployment to the Western Atlantic for WESTLANT 2023. “It was a wonderful experience to see our training and preparation lead to a predictable and comfortable outcome.” Gucwa said. “Expanding on the initial work the team executed during DT-1 and DT-2 is the next step in providing these types of increased capabilities to the warfighter, which is what flight test is all about” he said. F-35B pilots usually approach the carrier from the port side to a position adjacent to a landing spot. They then transition, or fly sideways, to the landing spot and land vertically. More than looking and sounding different, the landing technique could lead to tactics where a pilot returns to the ship with heavier loads, for example more fuel or weapons. (Photo by Mike Jackson)

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Into the Danger Zone: National Geographic’s upcoming series chronicles aspiring U.S. Navy fighter pilots

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In an adrenaline-fueled and emotionally charged documentary series, National Geographic, in collaboration with Zinc Media’s Rex, will venture into one of the most demanding and secretive programs within the U.S. Navy. The series, tentatively titled Top Gun: The Next Generation, offers viewers unparalleled access to the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Flight Training Program.

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U.S. Navy funds three-year project with Texas A&M to develop autonomous VTOL aircraft for ship landings

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The U.S. Navy has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with Texas A&M University to pioneer the development of fully autonomous Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft capable of landing on moving ship decks. The three-year project, funded by the Navy, aims to create a robust solution that could revolutionize the way aircraft land on naval vessels.

230518-N-PT973-1808 - USS Porter Participates in Formidable Shield 2023
Petty Officer 3rd Class Hailey Servedio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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