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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Hawkmoon on January 16, 2020, 11:44:06 PM

Title: Navy question
Post by: Hawkmoon on January 16, 2020, 11:44:06 PM

Does anyone know if any U.S. amphibious assault ships are equipped with catapults for launching conventional aircraft, as opposed to Harriers and other V/STOL types?

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: BobR on January 16, 2020, 11:46:11 PM

I am going to say no.


bob

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: Hawkmoon on January 16, 2020, 11:58:55 PM

That's too bad, although that's what I thought.

Which is unfortunate, because it totally torpedoes an idea I had for a short story.

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: Hawkmoon on January 17, 2020, 12:04:28 AM

Could the F35B operate from an amphibious assault ship flight deck?

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: WLJ on January 17, 2020, 12:13:45 AM

Quote from: Hawkmoon on January 17, 2020, 12:04:28 AM

Could the F35B operate from an amphibious assault ship flight deck?

Yes

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/30429/behold-uss-america-sailing-with-a-whopping-13-f-35bs-embarked-aboard

(https://www.navalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/USMC-F-35Bs-USS-America-shaping-the-future-of-amphibious-operations-1.jpg)

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: Hawkmoon on January 17, 2020, 12:30:03 AM

I guess that answers that. Thanks.

I also found this in the Wikipedia article on the F35:

Quote

Structural composites in the F-35 are 35% of the airframe weight (up from 25% in the F-22). The majority of these are bismaleimide and composite epoxy materials. The F-35 will be the first mass-produced aircraft to include structural nanocomposites, namely carbon nanotube-reinforced epoxy. Experience of the F-22's problems with corrosion led to the F-35 using a gap filler that causes less galvanic corrosion to the airframe's skin, designed with fewer gaps requiring filler and implementing better drainage. The relatively short 35-foot wingspan of the A and B variants is set by the F-35B's requirement to fit inside the Navy's current amphibious assault ship parking area and elevators; the F-35C's longer wing is considered to be more fuel efficient

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: 230RN on January 17, 2020, 12:45:27 AM

Well, good!  On to the keyboard to write, man!

Going back to when catapults were 100 feet and wing loadings were 3 ounces per square yard:

(https://newwars.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/british_submarine_hms_m2_21.jpg)

Just kidding but that's the first thing that occurred to me.   Not U.S. Navy, but I've seen similar pics on all kinds of vessels.

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: Jamisjockey on January 17, 2020, 08:37:48 AM

No.

The A model is shorter winged and set up for carrier operations.
The B is VSTOL for the USMC. Short wings, designed for operations off of carriers and amphibs both.
The C is set up for the air force, has longer wings.

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: WLJ on January 17, 2020, 08:53:27 AM

Quote from: Jamisjockey on January 17, 2020, 08:37:48 AM

No.

The A model is shorter winged and set up for carrier operations.
The B is VSTOL for the USMC. Short wings, designed for operations off of carriers and amphibs both.
The C is set up for the air force, has longer wings.

Which question are you saying no to? His question in #3 was asking about the B on amphibs.

BTW: You have the A & C reversed, the A is AF land based model, the C is the carrier model.

Title: Re: Navy question
Post by: Jamisjockey on January 17, 2020, 08:57:01 AM

Sorry, the original question of amphibs and catapults.
They also don't have trap wires.