Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
Some more info for ‘sferrin’....
The Influence of Ship Configuration on the Design of the Joint Strike Fighter Ryberg, Eric S.
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA399988 (1Mb PDF)
“...SHIP SUITABILITY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Consideration for the shipboard environment, ship interface requirements, and the users’ at-sea concepts of operations is critical to the successful design of a ship-based air system. The factors that influence shipboard compatibility are quite numerous, and their impacts are often underestimated and/or misunderstood by those not completely familiar with carrier-based aviation. ...
...Geometric Compatibility
Probably the most intuitively obvious factor to influence the design of a ship-based aircraft is geometric compatibility. Simply stated, the airplane must be of an acceptable size and shape to fit within the constrained operating spaces aboard ship.
MAXIMUM DENSITY SPOT FACTOR...
...The JSF Operational Requirements Document (ORD) established a design threshold for the Spot Factor of the CV variant, in that it could be no greater than 1.24. Early in the JSF design process, it became evident that the Spot Factor requirement would not constrain the size and shape of the aircraft. In fact, it’s likely that the CV variant would satisfy the ORD Spot Factor threshold even without the capability to fold its wings. As will be discussed, however, other considerations have shown that such a mechanism is a worthwhile addition to the CV design, despite the added weight, complexity, and cost.
OPERATIONAL SPOTTING
Maximum Density Spot Factor is purely an academic exercise to quantify an aircraft’s size and shape. An operational spotting analysis helps to determine how Aircraft Handling Officers could most efficiently operate a ship’s complement of aircraft. Efficiency is typically quantified through use of metrics such as sortie generation rate and aircraft turnaround time. The positions where aircraft can be parked prelaunch, post-recovery, and for maintenance or servicing greatly affect these metrics. Obviously, the flight deck layout is a major determinant in deck efficiency, as are the configurations of the aircraft that make up the airwing.
Through the conduct of spotting analyses, it was determined that a folding wing afforded the JSF CV variant increased flexibility in its deck handling, enough so to offset the impact of incorporating the folding mechanisms. The CV variant’s folded wingspan approximates that of an F/A-18C, the aircraft it will eventually replace in the carrier airwing. This similarity should allow Handling Officers aboard CVNs to position JSF very much like they position F/A-18C today.
Unlike the CV variant, the JSF STOVL variant did not have a spot factor requirement levied upon it. Instead, the ORD specified a spotting requirement in operational terms. The USMC operators required that it be possible to park a total of six STOVL variants aft of the island on an LHA or LHD, such that none fouls the landing area and that any one of them can be moved without first moving any other. This requirement constrains the STOVL variant’s wingspan to be no more than 35 ft.
OTHER GEOMETRIC CONSTRAINTS
Aside from the amount of flight deck space needed to accommodate an aircraft, there are several additional constraints that affect its geometry. Aircraft are stored in hangar bays with constrained overhead clearances. The ceiling height must allow the conduct of all maintenance and support actions, including such tasks as the removal and replacement of the canopy and ejection seat. Additionally, compatibility with deck elevators may constrain an aircraft’s length, width, or both...”
&
“...AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY
... In 1995, he helped launch the Carrier Suitability Focus Group for the program now known as Joint Strike Fighter. In 2001, he was chosen to lead JSF’s Basing and Ship Suitability IPT. Mr. Ryberg is a member of the U. S. Naval Institute and the Tailhook Association.”
Jul 22, 2013, 7:28:37 PM
Posted to The F-35 Issue: 'Food' for Thought?