Photos F-22 Raptor & F-35 Lightning

[bdpopeye]

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 25, 2018) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the Rough Raiders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 moves across the landing platform on flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maxwell Anderson/Released)


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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 26, 2018) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the Rough Raiders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff Sherman/Released)


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Kick the tires..light the fire!
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 26, 2018) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the Rough Raiders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff Sherman/Released)


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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 20, 2018) An F-35C Lightning II attached to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 approaches the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel E. Gheesling/Released)


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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 20, 2018) An F-35C Lightning II attached to the Rough Raiders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 performs a touch-and-go landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Andrew Hays/Released)

 

[bdpopeye]

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Lippert and Peter Wilson, F-35 test pilots at the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF), conduct night field carrier landing practices Aug. 30, 2018, at NAS Patuxent River in preparation for the First of Class Flight Trials (Fixed Wing) on HMS Queen Elizabeth.

During two FOCFT (FW) phases, held back-to-back this fall, the Pax River ITF team plans to perform a variety of flight maneuvers and deck operations to develop the F-35B operating envelope on United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. A third FOCFT (FW) phase followed by operational testing is scheduled for 2019. Together, the tests will help the U.K. Ministry of Defence reach F-35B initial operating capability (maritime) in 2020.









HI-RES is here >>>https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4715374/itf-conducts-night-workups-prep-hms-queen-elizabeth

 

[bdpopeye]

F-22 Raptors remain undamaged in a hanger after Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 18, 2018. Air Combat Command has mobilized multiple relief assets in an effort to restore operations after the hurricane caused catastrophic damage to the base. (U.S. Air Force photos by SSgt Matthew Lotz)



Staff Sgt. Matthew Vanderheyden, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, sweeps dust off an aircraft at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 18, 2018. Approximately 40 crew chiefs and avionics specialists travelled down to assist with getting the F-22s flying operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Lotz)



Staff Sgt. Brandon Liptrot, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, sweeps dust (?) off an aircraft at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 18, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Lotz)



A C-17 Globemaster III delivers cargo to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 22, 2018. F-22s in the background. Multiple major commands have mobilized relief assets in an effort to restore operations after the hurricane caused catastrophic damage to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Lotz)

More photos and HI-RES are here >>>> Tyndall AFB Florida

 

[bdpopeye]

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. launches for a training sortie at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 16, 2018. The training serves as a demonstration of U.S. commitment to European regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)



An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. launches for a training sortie at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 16, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)

 

[bdpopeye]

HMS Queen Elizabeths Air Weapons Party members LAET Jake Beer (L) and AET Corey Barras (R) Prepare a Paveway II Bomb overseen by AO2 Robert Little (CL) from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and LAET Matthew Dworakowski from the F35 Pax River ITF Weapons team. The first bombs to be dropped from F-35B Lightning II fighter jets conducting trials onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth of the U.S. eastern seaboard occurred Oct. 9, 2018, with inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided precision bombs, marking another significant milestone in the carrier’s trials.



The first bombs to be dropped from F-35B Lightning II fighter jets conducting trials onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth of the U.S. eastern seaboard occurred Oct. 9, 2018, with inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided precision bombs, marking another significant milestone in the carrier’s trials.





U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Lippert, test pilot with the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force, takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth with the first Paveway II payload Oct. 9, 2018. The first bombs to be dropped from F-35B Lightning II fighter jets conducting trials onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth of the U.S. eastern seaboard occurred that day with inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided precision bombs, marking another significant milestone in the carrier’s trials.



U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Lippert, test pilot with the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force, lands aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth with the first Paveway II payload Oct. 9, 2018.

Royal Navy courtesy photos.

For HI-RES and more PIX go here >>> First test bombs dropped from HMS Queen Elizabeth’s F-35 Lightning fighter jets

 

[santana]

A C-17 Globemaster III delivers cargo to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 22, 2018. F-22s in the background. Multiple major commands have mobilized relief assets in an effort to restore operations after the hurricane caused catastrophic damage to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Lotz)

More photos and HI-RES are here >>>> Tyndall AFB Florida

If the F-22 Raptor cost around usd$340 million each, so in this picture there is around $2 Billion Dollars with B in Raptors!!!

 

[TIGREDELAIRE]

I left my credit card to my wife!

 

[bdpopeye]

A 325th Fighter Wing F-22A Raptor touches down at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20. 2018. The first six Raptors arrived to their temporary home at Eglin from Tyndall Air Force Base. This move is part of mission shift by the Air Force as Hurricane Michael recovery efforts continue at Tyndall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)



A maintenance Airman marshals in a 325th Fighter Wing F-22A Raptor at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20. 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)



A maintainer and pilot talk about their 325th Fighter Wing F-22A Raptor at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20. 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)





325th Fighter Wing F-22A Raptors taxi at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20 2018. (U.S. Air Force photos/Samuel King Jr.)

 

[BravoZulu]

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B during takeoff and landing operations.Image: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Molina

A U.S. Air Force F-35A performs a high speed pass over Lake Michigan, August 2018.Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Cook

A F-35 conducts a test flight with four GBU-31 2,000 pound guided bombs and two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. The F-35 can carry weapons and fuel externally at the cost of its stealthy profile.Image: Lockheed Martin

A USAF F-35 launching a AMRAAM air-to-air missile.Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Cook

Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee

 

[bdpopeye]

A formation of F-35A Lightning IIs, from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, refuel over the Utah Test and Training Range as part of a combat power exercise on Nov. 19, 2018.



The exercise aims to confirm their ability to quickly employ a large force of jets against air and ground targets, and demonstrate the readiness and lethality of the F-35. As the first combat-ready F-35 units in the Air Force, the 388th and 419th FW at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee)







For HI-RES & more pix go here ...Exercise Combat Power

 

[bdpopeye]

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2019) Three F-35C Lightning II, attached to Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, the "Rough Raiders "Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 and the "Grim Reapers" Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 complete a flight overhead Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Feb. 1, 2019. Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, headquartered at NASL ensures that each F-35C squadron is fully combat-ready to conduct carrier-based, all-weather, attack, fighter and support missions for Commander, Naval Air Forces. With its stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity and range, the F-35C will be the first 5th generation aircraft operated from an aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photos by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon E. Renfroe/Released)

 

[bdpopeye]

PHILIPPINE SEA (March 26, 2019) - F-35B Lightning II aircrafts assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 are chocked and chained on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp, flagship of Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a lethal ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin F. Davella III)





PHILIPPINES (March 27, 2019) - An F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1).(U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin F. Davella III)



PHILIPPINE SEA (March 27, 2019) F-35B Lightning II aircraft, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, and MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, are secured to the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker)



PHILIPPINE SEA (March 25, 2019) An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, lands aboard the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker)

USS WASP (LHD 1) OPERATIONS AT SEA

 

[bdpopeye]

USMC F-35B "Elephant Walk"





Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 conducts a readiness exercise comprised of 20 F-35B Lightning II aircraft aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort SC, May 1.







The safe launch and recovery of the aircraft, affirms the squadron’s commitment to achieving and sustaining the highest level of readiness in order to train the next generation of F-35B pilots from the U.S. Marine Corps and partner nations. USMC photos by Cpl. Debra Sainer

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 conducts readiness exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

 

[BravoZulu]

F-35A Lightning II fighter jets assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing's 4th Fighter Squadron taxi during Red Flag 19-1 at Nelllis AFB, Nev., Feb. 6, 2019. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw.

 

[bdpopeye]

F-22 Raptors of the 3rd Wing taxis on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 2, 2019, while participating in the Polar Force 20-1 exercise. Polar Force 20-1 is designed to exercise multiple elements of the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept of operations, which include generating 5th Generation combat power from austere locations, command and control using non-traditional methods, and rapid airlift capabilities to sustain a forward operating location. The ACE concept enables 3rd Wing to deliver lethal Airpower for America, even in a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photos/Justin Connaher)







F-22 Raptors of the 3rd Wing takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 2, 2019, while participating in the Polar Force 20-1 exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Connaher)

 

[Fish&Chips]

180417-N-FN963-0085 by U.S. Pacific Fleet, on Flickr

PHILIPPINE SEA (March 27, 2019) F-35B Lightning II aircraft, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, and MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, are secured to the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker)

This is somewhat remarkable. The Wasp-class is just a tiny bit larger than the old USS Essex CV-9 of World War 2 fame. I'm wondering if the introduction of VTOL fighters might bring about a future reduction in size for US carrier vessels. Of course you can deploy many more aircraft on the large CVNs as opposed to an LHD, but a sizeable fleet of Wasp-sized carriers might in the end be cheaper and more versatile in terms of deployment than a few large carriers.

 

[bdpopeye]

I'm wondering if the introduction of VTOL fighters might bring about a future reduction in size for US carrier vessels.

Nope. Not happening. Harriers have been around aboard ships for 40+ years. An LHA or LHD cannot do what a CVN can do. Nor an Essex class. Not even close.

Now during the IRAQ war in 2003 LHAs were deployed in mass. Two were deployed with 20 Harriers aboard as a pocket CVs..behold.


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North Arabian Gulf (Apr. 20, 2003) The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) moves into position as the amphibious assault ships of Commander, Task Force Fifty One (CTF-51) come together in an unprecedented formation during operations in the North Arabian Gulf. This marked the first time that six large deck amphibious ships from the East and West coasts have deployed together in one area of operation. Led by the flag ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1), the ships in the second row from bottom to top are USS Saipan (LHA 2) and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); and the third row of ships are USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). CTF-51 led Navy amphibious forces in the Arabian Gulf region during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 32 ships of CTF-51 composed the largest amphibious force assembled since the Inchon landing, during the Korean War. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Tom Daily. (RELEASED)

Sorry about the off topic post.

 

[Fish&Chips]

Sorry about the off topic post.

No problem. Thank you for the information rather.

 

[bdpopeye]

F-35A "Elephant Walk"...

The active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings conducted an F-35A Combat Power Exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 6, 2020. The exercise, which was planned for months, demonstrated their ability to employ a large force of F-35As -- testing readiness in the areas of personnel accountability, aircraft generation, ground operations, flight operations, and combat capability against air and ground targets. A little more than four years after receiving their first combat-coded F35A Lightning II aircraft, Hill's fighter wings have achieved full warfighting capability. (U.S. Air Force photos by R. Nial Bradshaw)

 

[bdpopeye]

A U.S. F-22 Raptor assigned to the F-22 Demo Team prepares to be launched out by a crew chief at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 30, 2020. Representing Air Combat Command, the F-22 Demo Team travels to air shows all across the world showcase the performance and capabilities of the world's premier 5th-generation fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Sam Eckholm)





U.S. Air Force Maj. Josh Gunderson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs during an aerial demonstration at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 30, 2020.





Maj. Gunderson has over 1,500 hours flying both the F-15 Eagle and F-22 Raptor and is in his first year as commander of the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. (U.S. Air Force photos by 2nd Lt. Sam Eckholm)