Originally Posted by
SATCOS WHIPPING BOY
Marham,
AFAIK, has mk1 RHAGs that use the old rubber grommets. Standard cable state is both down.
On checking, the F35B can't take a hook as there is a ton of gubbins in its rear end that make the windy bit point in all directions. (sorry to be over technical) ;-)
Tried zooming in on satellite images and I can't make out the bowsprings so you're obviously right; I can make out the cables but there must be grommets stowed either side of the runway; these would take several minutes to position (if an un-premeditated engagement is necessary) whereas the bowsprings can be operated instantly. Even when we had bowsprings installed, we always operated with the overrun cable up while a hook equipped aircraft was flying.
No hook on the '35b but they must be installed on the '35c for carrier landings and maybe for the '35a too and it would take lots of the folding stuff to install new barriers even if they could be cleared for the F35b.
As for the ends of the runway being 'slippery when wet'; well this was well known years ago especially when you had white painted runway markings on the concrete bits too; our pilots often remarked about it even when we'd done a runway inspection to check.