($243 million dollar) JSF tests begin to prepare for carrier landings

[unhappycamper]

JSF tests begin to prepare for carrier landings
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jun 25, 2010 17:07:06 EDT

Will the Navy version of the new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter hold up under the stress of real-life carrier landings?

That’s the next critical question for the F-35C after making its first flight June 6 in the skies over Texas.

Lockheed Martin has begun stress-tests that include dropping the aircraft from heights of more than 11 feet to gauge the structural integrity of the aircraft.

The company tested the drops at various angles and weight distributions in an effort to “mimic the wide range of landing conditions expected in the fleet,” according to a statement from Lockheed.

Preliminary computer-based testing identified cracking in the F-35s’ airframe, prompting adjustments in its design, Navy officials said.



unhappycamper comment: Lockheed Martin is desperately trying to get the not-ready-for-prime-time fighters working enough that we can spend another huge chunk of change on them. The 187 F-22s we purchased cost us over $66 billion; no reason for LM to earn less for the loser in the steath fighter race.

[Swamp Rat]

1. hmm...

My cousin might be working on those (I know he was working on the earlier F-35s). I'll ask him about it today and get back to you.

[unhappycamper]

2. The F-35 has already has two invocations of "necessary for National Security"

exemptions on the Nunn-McCurdy Act. I seriously doubt any country (except this one) is stupid enough to actually buy these things.

[Swamp Rat]

3. How much of an exemption?

more than 25% over cost?

[unhappycamper]

4. Oh yea. 25% is the Nunn-McCurdy trigger.

I'm trying to find the very specific non-disclaimer they use to keep these programs going.