Originally Posted by
unmanned_droid
I'm sorry but I disagree that JPALS is not responsible for ensuring a '3-wire' every time.
We know that CVN-70 was the first to receive JPALS, so we at least know the system could have been available and in use:
https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Nav...-06092020-1200
JPALS as a precision approach and landing system provides the accuracy required to touch down within 20cm:
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...ng-system.html
The news article above mentions the DFP feature in the F-35C, which according to this article:
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...perations.html
Reduces workload for the pilot. On a thread on F-16.net JPALS and MAGIC CARPET are suggested to be the same thing re-branded.
Therefore, the '3-wire every time' is a combination of Pilot training, reduced workload features (DFP/MAGIC CARPET depending on what you're flying) and the introduction of shipboard data linked precision approach and landing systems (JPALS).
I seem to remember JPALS demonstrating fully automatic landings some time ago, I guess a proportion of carrier landings and approaches to a CVN by USN aircraft are now full autoland?
Still, if the wires/pendants are lifed, then , as stated, this shouldn't be an issue.
Some interesting comments about the wire which will be addressed in another post. This one selected for comment because of the numerous URLs one of which mentions JPALS & DFP but not in the same breath. "...When the
Navy's
F-35C Joint Strike Fighter embarks on its first carrier
deployment in 2021, it's expected to take with it a pinpoint-accurate landing system that purports to make the terror of
night approaches and high sea-state traps all but a thing of the past...."
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...ng-system.html
JPALS is used for instrument landings and FINDING the carrier from approx. 200 NM out. However - at the moment - the F-35C pilot uses DFP to fly the VISUAL APPROACH as described in the video. WHEN JPALS is finally certified for the full instrument approach to touchdown/arrest then it will do so in the conditions described OR when the pilot is fatigued during the daytime after a long mission. It is not certified for this but will be at some future time. Yes the robots do it because they are unmanned and they (in the past) used a 'special installation of JPALS'. The pilots in the squadron are not test pilots - they were not using JPALS for a day carrier approach.