Joint Strike Fighter make 100th flight...the official pics...

On March 7, 2011, the first F-35B Joint Strike
Fighter test aircraft (BF-1) completed its 100th flight with BAE test
pilot Peter Wilson at the controls. BF-1 flew in short take-off,
vertical landing (STOVL) mode to continue expansion of the STOVL flight
envelope to demonstrate design durability and in preparation for
shipboard testing scheduled for later this year. The F-35B is the first
JSF variant with two aircraft completing 100 flights and will be the
first stealth fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps and is undergoing test
and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River. Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin.

On March 7, 2011, the first F-35B Joint Strike
Fighter test aircraft (BF-1) completed its 100th flight with BAE test
pilot Peter Wilson at the controls. BF-1 flew in short take-off,
vertical landing (STOVL) mode to continue expansion of the STOVL flight
envelope to demonstrate design durability and in preparation for
shipboard testing scheduled for later this year. The F-35B is the first
JSF variant with two aircraft completing 100 flights and will be the
first stealth fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps and is undergoing test
and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River. Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin.

Trimarans as Sea Based Aviation Platforms.

Large Trimaran Concepts Tech Elements

Marines declare AH-1Z Cobra operational

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - The Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, achieved Initial Operating Capability ahead of schedule in February.

"Getting the AH-1Z to IOC has been a huge achievement for the entire team," said Col. Harry Hewson, program manager for U.S. Marine Corps Light and Attack Helicopters. "Now we get to put the Zulu in the hands of the Marines and prove that it is indeed the most capable marinized attack helicopter in the world."

As part of the H-1 Upgrades Program, the AH-1Z replaces the currently fielded AH-1W. The AH-1Z will serve a primary role in assault support, offensive air support and air reconnaissance. Cobras will play a supporting role in anti-air warfare, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles.

The new Cobras feature 10,000 flight-hour airframes, a new four-bladed rotor system with semi-automatic blade fold of the new composite rotor blades, new performance matched transmissions, a new four-bladed tail rotor and drive system, upgraded landing gear, and pylon structural modifications. The Cobra also incorporates modernized, fully integrated cockpits/avionics that will reduce operator work load while improving situational awareness and safety.

The AH-1Z is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-401 series engines and greatly increased lift capability and stores capacity, giving it a significantly greater ordnance payload for future growth potential. The primary weapon system is the Hellfire missile. It is fully shipboard compatible, and capable of operating from prepared or unprepared landing sites, day or night.

The Marine Corps will remanufacture 131 AH-1W helicopters into AH-1Z aircraft and build 58 new AH-1Zs. The projected inventory for the AH-1Z is 189 helicopters. Full operational capability, defined as when all AH-1Z maintenance and repair support, test equipment, and spares are in place to support active component force primary aircraft authorization, is expected to be achieved in 2020.

AH-1Z Cobras were first delivered in 2007 by prime contractor Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated. The Department of Defense authorized the Cobra for full-rate production in November 2010. The first deployment of the AH-1Z is scheduled for later this year with a Marine Expeditionary Unit. This will be the first opportunity for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y to deploy together. The UH-1Y is already on its third rotation to Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The expeditionary agility that the Yankee/Zulu package brings to the Marine Air/Ground Task Force is exactly what the Marine Corps needs as we continue to fight two wars and conduct numerous other engagements in every clime and place," Hewson said. "I am proud to be a part of the team that is making that happen."

Aviation Neck Down Strategy tossed without an after thought.

Proper planning prevents piss poor performance.

The USMC had such a plan.

Aviation was to be an all STOVL force.

The Navy didn't like it but oh well ... eat fish heads and rice and suck it up big boys....

That's what a GRUNT Commandant would have told the big Navy...Congress...and anyone else involved/concerned about Marine Corps procurement.

That's not whats happening now.

Read this ...from Defense Tech.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos confirmed today that the Marines are looking to operate some F-35C carrier variant Joint Strike Fighters. This is a big deal. If the Corps buys C, it will solidify the future of fixed wing tactical jets in the Corps if the troubled B-model gets axed. It also shows that Marine Corps aviators will keep flying long-legged (I mean long-range) strike jets off big deck aircraft carriers.

This sucks on too many levels.

It gives the vociferous critics of the B model new ammo.

It ignores the work of previous commandants that set a roadmap for future Marine Corps procurement.

Its done without explanation.  This makes no sense at all.  If we're not moving to an all STOVL force then why not procure F/A-18EF's now?  It would lower costs, receive Congressional support and serve as a bridge to the JSF.  Is this going to increase the costs of the B model?  It will...so why do it at all?  This is idiotic! 

B's only!

Think Defence on the Ocelot.

Lee sent this article on the now modular Force Protection Ocelot and the story that Think Defence ran on it (thanks Lee...I already subscribe to him but...).

And the 'but' is in regards to the Ocelot concept.  What is it to actually be?  The British forces already have the Panther...they have the Jackal....the have a range of light weight MRAP type vehicles.

How would this vehicle fit into the US structure?  We have the JLTV...we're considering uparmoring and resetting the HUMVEE...where does this vehicle fit?

In my opinion this appears to be a 'rapid fielding initiative' that took too long and is no longer applicable.

LAV-25 A2 as the Marine Personnel Carrier.

Thanks Mike...I never saw this...great find buddy...keep'em coming!

Mike found this brochure of the tech demonstrator model of the LAV A2.  A quick look at this reveals that after removing the turret, making a few modest upgrades/changes and you have your MPC.

The time for lengthy development schedules is over.  We have the blueprint already in service...time to sole source this puppy and get it done.

CH-53A Loops and Rolls.

If anyone knows where I can find the full video of this flight then please shoot me an e-mail.

A couple of points. 

Fastest helicopter in US service.

Most powerful helicopter in US service...I always cringed at the long flight times until I read the stats and heard the stories.  UH-1, CH-46 and AH-1 pilots would tell '53 drivers to slow down---even when they had a cabin full of Marines.

Amazing.