The newer tailhook is more heavily dampened and boasts a sharper "hook". This addresses two of the F-35C's three major issues with its tailhook. Earlier models were unable to snag the arresting wires reliably enough to be deemed carrier-worthy. As it was, oscillations created by the rear landing gear wheels created a bouncing effect that made it difficult catch the wire. This is exacerbated by the short distance between the landing gear's rear wheels and a tail hook that was too dull.
The fix?
This does not mean that the F-35C is out of the woods yet. The aircraft needs to not only demonstrate the capability to reliably catch the wire, but to do so in rough weather and without causing undue stress to the aircraft. Even it the JSF can land perfectly 100% of the time, it means little if the resulting stresses cause cracks in the bulkheads or engines.
The real results likely will not be known until a thorough inspection is done after carrier testing is complete. Also, while the the landing trials will be receiving all the headlines, more mundane tasks need to be tested as well. As it is, the JSF's large single engine and stealth coating may prove to be difficult maintain in a wet and salty environment.
For those of you wondering how Saab lost the FFCP competition, new information has come to light... According inside sources, the initial scoring of the two fighters was incredibly close. The F-35 did indeed win the "Capability" category (worth up to 60%) while the Gripen E ended up being ahead on both price (worth 20%) and industrial offsets (worth the remaining 20%). According to my source April Furst, who is currently serving an internship in the House of Commons. The ultimate decision was made rather hastily while the final scores were being tallied up. "Due to COVID restrictions and renovations, the FFCP committee were forced to convene in a remote office located in the basement of the Parliament building. You could tell it wasn't used very often. Lots of cobwebs, and the whole place smelled musty and moldy. "The committee members were doing their thing, going down each individual line of the respective offers. It was actual...
So…. Now what? The process is still far from over but what is left is mostly mundane and bureaucratic. Stuff like finalizing costs, delivery dates, etc. Hopefully, Canada can now focus it procurement efforts on revitalizing the rest of the Canadian Armed Forces. With fighters and frigates out of the way; it’s high time we look into replacing our submarines, MRTTs, and other. Recent lessons from the war in Ukraine has also made it clear that UCAVs are the future of warfare. Canada best catch up. Was all this for nothing? No. I do not believe so. Even though Canada is still choosing the F-35, it is doing so in a much more rational way. We have taken the time to evaluate our needs. Taken a clear look at the options. We have arrived at a decision removed from political whim. Ultimately, Canada is getting a lot more aircraft than initially planned. We are also getting later build F-35s. Now, more of th...
I will be honest... I have been dreading this installment of Fighter Jet Fight Club. I tend to root for the underdog in any competition, but what happens when underdogs have to compete against each other? Both of these aircraft have a 0-2 record for FJFC, yet both are clearly crowd favorites in the comment section. Our contestants today are two of the biggest value propositions in the fighter world today. Both are "modernized" versions of aircraft that have been flying since the 80s. Neither make promises of being the most dominant force in the skies, but they do promise a "90%" solution at "50%" of the cost. Most importantly, both aircraft are "tried and true" designs that have provided years of faithful service. Despite this, they are often overlooked in favor of newer, flashier aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II. Which aircraft will see redemption here today? Just remember the rules . Air-to-Ground: Infiltration/Pe...
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