VIDEO: F-35B Lightning II Stealth "Operational Test Trials" (OT-1) USS Wasp HD

2015-06-04T11:25:23-04:00

Originally published by Aviacion on YouTube:
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"Amy Butler here. As senior Pentagon editor, there are perks to being a scribe. May 26, I had the opportunity to witness aviation history with a small group of reporters invited to the USS Wasp amphibious ship to witness a few hours of the first-ever F-35B Operational Test (OT-1) trails off the coast of North Carolina. I'm posting some of the many videos I collected to give our readers a sense of what we saw on the boat.

During OT-1, actual Marines -- not test overseers -- are operating the six F-35Bs that embarked May 18 for the tests; this includes pilots and maintainers. During DT (developmental testing), we got to see firsthand the first vertical landing and short takeoff at sea, but in OT-1, the Marines are demonstrating a cadence to operations to gain confidence the single-engine, stealthy fighters can assimilate into an air wing onboard the amphibious ship, which will include other platforms: the MV-22, CH-53E/K, AH-W/Z and unmanned air systems among them. This is all leading up to what the operational debut of the F-35B, slated in July.

This is a long video -- 8 plus minutes. But, if you stick with it, here's what you'll see. And, a word of caution. Turn down your speakers or headphones, or grab a cranial. Its very loud."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=241&v=FAFnhIIK7s4

F-35B Lightning II Stealth "Operational Test Trials" (OT-1) USS Wasp HD

Amy Butler here. As senior Pentagon editor, there are perks to being a scribe. May 26, I had the opportunity to witness aviation history with a small group o...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-06-04T11:32:57-04:00

This is what this bird is meant to do. It just screams "Air Superiority!!!" If only they weren't trying to cram every new toy that comes out into it.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 4 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-06-04T11:33:56-04:00

Awesome plane!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 4 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-06-04T22:31:56-04:00

USS Wasp is a ship, not a boat! LOL...