The deployment of the F-35C aboard
carriers changes the threat equation by
multiplying the kinds of dilemmas the US Navy could present its adversaries. The fifth generation stealth fighter has
been operational for some time, but
didn't deploy aboard a carrier until
august 2021.
This new capability better allows the
navy to project power while at sea. Upgraded F/A-18 might have trouble
countering advanced Russian or chinese
air defense systems or challenging an
enemy's fifth generation fighters.
The deployment of the F-35C could
reshape this dynamic. using speed and stealth, an F-35C may be
able to elude advanced surface-to-air
missiles and destroy them from the air. This would open a corridor through which
fourth generation aircraft could attack. The F-35C might also be able to defeat
rival fifth generation assets such as a Chinese J-20 or Russian Su-57.
The F-35C broad wingspan reinforced
landing gear and durable coating make it
engineered for harsh conditions at sea. The F-35C 51-foot wingspan is larger
than the air force's F-35A and marine
corps F-35B short takeoff and landing
variants.
Its avionics equip the pilot with
real-time access to battle space
information. It can fire two aim 120 air
to air missiles and two two thousand
pound joint direct attack munitions.
The F-35C can reach speeds up to mach
1.6 and travel more than 1,200 nautical
miles, according to the navy. The F-35C is also engineered with the
technical infrastructure to accommodate
new weapons and software upgrades as
they emerge, allowing the aircraft to
adapt to changing threats.
The navy plans to acquire 273 F-35C some
wonder whether that is enough though. if the navy operates as many as 11
aircraft carriers, does will fewer than
300 F-35C be enough in a great power
conflict. This might be critical in the pacific
where basing fifth generation aircraft
on land would be more difficult.
It would require a large number of
carrier-launched F-35C to sustain an
advantage over other fifth-generation
aircraft. This might be one reason why Japan plans
to buy 147 F-35. The Stealth Fighter makes the mighty
aircraft carrier even more powerful.
A few months ago, the u.s navy aircraft
carrier USS Carl Cinson (CVN-70) successfully completed several
certifications, including flight deck
certification and carrier air traffic
control center certification. Both were designed to ready the carrier
for future operations.
However, the recent certifications also
marked the first time that the carrier
air wing 2 and vinson were fully
integrated and operating together since
the addition of the F-35 Sea Lightning II Joint Strike fighter jet.
The carrier was named for the late carl
vinson, the longest serving member of the
united states house of representatives
who served the people of georgia from
1914 to 1965, through both world wars and the early
cold war.
He was also known as the father of the
two ocean navy. The carrier named after him entered
service during the reagan years and will
now be equipped with true 21st
technology through the F-35C Stealth Fighter Jet.
The flight deck certification is
required for the carrier to embark
aircraft which is the primary weapons
system for the platform. It is also designed to provide
operational continuity and proficiency
training for carrier crews.
During the flight deck certification the
carrier was evaluated on its ability to
launch and recover aircraft in a safe
manner in both daytime and nighttime
operations.
The flight deck certification is one of
many ways the navy ensures the safety
and readiness of our equipment and
personnel, said Wear Admiral Timothy Cott, commander carrier strike group one.
The fact that Vinson was able to safely
and successfully complete the flight
deck certification, while operating with
the navy's first operational F-35
squadron as an exciting bonus. USS Carl Vinson and carrier air wing 2
squadrons achieved certification in
precision approach landing systems, joint
precision approach landing systems and
carrier qualifications for the six fixed
wing squadrons.
