Witnessing History -- F-35C on the USS Nimitz
Guy Norris
Ready to embark on the USS Nimitz at San Diego Naval Base. It is hard to believe the nuclear-powered supercarrier, towering high over the dockside, was launched as far back as 1972 and is the oldest in active service.
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This is the spot on the deck for which the F-35C pilots will be aiming between the second and third wires.
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Heading out toward the open sea, we pass the USS Ronald Reagan, another Nimitz-class nuclear carrier that is receiving a series of systems upgrades. The work is expected to be complete in April 2015.
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Flanked by an F/A-18F acting as chase, the F-35C (CF-03) from Navy Air Test and Evaluation Sqdn. VX-23, is seen seconds before hitting the deck for the first time during a preliminary touch-and-go.
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Smoke from the tires indicates the touchdown spot was on target between the second and third arrestor wires.
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Navy test pilot Cmdr. Tony "Brick" Wilson pushes open the throttle of the Pratt & Whitney F135 and roars off the deck.
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Now the real thing. Following a rock-solid approach, Wilson touches down with tail hook extended.
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CF-03 strains against the third wire as the F135 goes to full thrust.
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Parked by the island, the F-35C is the center of attention.
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Here comes the F/A-18F chase. It will be launched again in a few minutes to act as wingman for the second F-35C, CF-05.
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Less than 1 hr. after CF-03’s arrival, the second F-35C conducts a low pass over the deck. Note the nose high attitude.
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CF-05, flown by Lt. Cmdr. Ted "Dutch" Dyckman, passes close to our vantage point on "Vulture’s Row".
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. . . and here comes CF-05 for a full-stop landing.
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. . . and now there are two F-35Cs on a carrier deck for the first time. Note Wilson viewing Dyckman’s landing roll out.
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The F-35C pair look at home parked close to the island. A planned catapult launch later that afternoon was scrubbed due to initial data-transfer connection issues between the aircraft and ship.
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A close-up of the open bay containing the modified tail hook.
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Although the F-35C shares the same 51.5-ft. length as the F-35A and F-35B, the wingspan is 7 ft. wider and, at 43 ft., overall increases wing area to 668 sq. ft.—208 sq. ft. more than its siblings. This helps provide capacity for greater than 1,000 lb. more fuel than the Air Force or Marine versions.
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The heavy-duty, two-wheel nose gear of CF-03 is tied down to the deck.
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Obligatory selfie before heading back to shore on the C-2 Greyhound. Job done!
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Los Angeles Bureau Chief Guy Norris observed the first F-35C arrested landing on Nov. 3.
Read his article: F-35Cs Make First Carrier Landings
Watch the U.S. Navy's video: F-35C Completes First Arrested Landing aboard Aircraft Carrier
