Hi, I'm drjones96 (updated 12-10-06)

[drjones96]

Well there were a lot of good names in the pot that were being tossed around in the months leading up to the ceremony. Shrike was a good one I thought. Cyclone was another good one. They picked a name that had historical significance. Both the UK and US had planes named Lightning before that were very sucessful. But with a next generation plane like the JSF we expected them to come up with something original. As a side not the F-22 was originally named Lightning II also. It was changed to Raptor some time later. The JSF could change also.

[evenfasterson]

If it is a vertical takeoff plane then get rid of the wheels alltogether just have skids like a chopper that will WW it!!

B

[drjones96]

STOVL

Short
Take
Off
Vertical
Landing

While it is capable of doing a vertical takeoff the normal operational usage will have the B doing short takeoffs using nozzle vectoring. It takes a lot of energy (fuel) to do a vertical takeoff and then transition to horizontal wingborne flight.

[evenfasterson]

Yeah but it looks bloody cool in a movie!

[drjones96]

Full AB

[Lardy]

Smoebody needs to look at the shock stroke on the undercarriage if it's goig to be landing on a boat in high sea states.....
nice though

[drjones96]

Ah this is the Air Force variant though. We have people working on the Navy plane to make sure she'll be sea-worthy. Heavy duty airframe and undercarriage and tail hook.

[evenfasterson]

Full AB

Weeners anyone?

[Kuiper]

So DrJones,
you are doing currently spy work for North Korea at the development place of the F35

[drjones96]

Just ask my pal Kim Jong Il

[evenfasterson]

Holy Sh1t!

Its a conspiracy!

[evenfasterson]

HEWORW!


















Sorry I couldnt resist!

[Kuiper]

Just ask my pal Kim Jong Il

That's just a fake Kim Jong Il,
Think that guy who used is already killed for using that name
Did you find already out what the weakest point of the F35 is?

[drjones96]

Weak points? That's just crazy talk

Seriously, every airplane is built to serve a purpose or fill a need. The JSF is projected to do very well in it's service and also to be very easy to support and also much more affordable compared to legacy fighters it is planned to replace.

[drjones96]

The first low speed taxi test. First flight will be soon. (weather permitting)