July 12, 2011

From Naval Air Systems Command, F-35 Integrated Test Force Public Affairs

The F-35 integrated test force, along with the aircraft launch and recovery engineering team at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL), completed the first jet blast deflector (JBD) test on the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, July 8.

The test was completed at JB MDL using the F-35C test aircraft designated 'CF-2.'

The testing collected data on the effects of F-35C engine exhaust on fleet-representative 4- and 6-panel JBD units and the flight deck in front of the JBDs. Temperatures, pressures, sound levels and velocities were tested to collect environmental data and validate a JBD cooling panel configuration model.

"From an aircraft perspective, the testing went without a hitch," said Tom Briggs, air vehicle engineering lead. "We adjusted to weather delays to complete forty test points on schedule, all because of the teamwork between the [integrated task force], Lakehurst and industry crews."

Each Nimitz-class aircraft carrier has a JBD for each of its four catapults. The size, cooling configuration and angle to the catapult vary slightly between the four, so the test team had to repeat various tests – military and limited afterburner power takeoffs – for the various JBD configurations.

"We've learned a lot and our technical capabilities have expanded immensely since the original JBD testing for the F/A-18 about ten years ago," said Kathy Donnelly, senior executive for aircraft launch, recovery and support equipment engineering at Lakehurst. "We're able to bring in a lot more rigor to the F-35C testing so the fleet will be well prepared for its introduction."

With greater technical capabilities today, the single aircraft JBD testing will be repeated with an F/A-18 to collect the same data. This will allow for comparison between the two aircraft and the development of a combined cooling model for the entire fleet.

The test team also collaborated with Naval Sea Systems Command during the testing to measure the effects of heat on the flight deck.

Future carrier suitability testing is scheduled for later this summer, including JBD testing with two aircraft, catapult launches and arrestments in preparation for initial ship trials in 2013.

The F-35C is the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, unique from the F-35B and F-35A with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for the demanding carrier environment. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.