I hope this works, because it is a useful capability:
The Navy and Marine Corps recently tested out the “Lightning Carrier” concept of packing an amphibious assault ship with F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets, and they will likely continue to expand and exercise this capability.
On Oct. 8, USS America (LHA-8) was photographed with 13 F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 on its deck. America is one of two aviation-centric amphibious assault ships in the fleet, eliminating a well deck from its design and instead using that vast space for aviation maintenance areas, greater jet fuel storage and more.
But remember, she is not a carrier. So don't think the testing proves we should build light carriers.
I've long discussed this secondary capability.
Of course, it is nice that the Marines are ready to fly given that the Navy still doesn't fly their F-35s.
And God help us but the new Ford-class carrier is still working on their freaking ammo elevators. And shock testing is apparently not taking place (as if nobody will ever shoot at one of them?).
Lord knows what the catapult issue is these days. Although there seems to be progress. But did they fix the need to take them all down if just one fails?
It scares the Hell out of me that just when even fully functional and well-built carriers are questionable in their ability to survive in a sea-control fight against persistent surveillance and large numbers of precision weapons, that Ford is apparently neither.
These are just teething problems for a new class, right?
Anyway, at least the B Team is up and running. So we've got that going for us. Which is nice.
