The F-35 JSF: Beginning of the End for Blue-Water Ops?
Abstract
Thesis: Single-engine aircraft have long been considered unsuitable for Naval Aviation, but now the future of blue-water operations is dependent on the success and reliability of an aircraft powered by a single engine, the Lockheed -Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Discussion: The future "tip of the spear" for Naval Aviation will be' the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Although this fifth-generation fighter has an impressive array of technology and attributes, it is hampered by the fact that it only has one engine. There are two engines currently being designed for the F-35. One is the F135 manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, and the other is the F136 manufactured by the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team. The nature of Naval Aviation requires redundant systems to increase the reliability and survivability of its aircraft. However, the ability of the Navy to conduct blue-water operations and project power abroad will be a hampered by an aircraft which has no redundancy to a very key component, the engine. The record of naval mishaps and accidents show that engine failure, whether due to a malfunction or the ingestion of debris, is inevitable and will occur. Therefore a single-engine aircraft will hamper the operability of the Navy using this platform. Conclusion: With the record and propensity for engine failure and the possibility of an engine being damaged by ingesting debris, the result of switching to a single-engine aircraft for the Navy's primary fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, can only result in decreased projection of power across the high seas in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA603259
Entities
People
- Brady M. Hatcher Iii
Organizations
- Marine Corps University