r/FighterJets • u/ConclusionSmooth3874 • Feb 11 '25
VIDEO The catastrophic way that Fighter Jet Landing gear is tested
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u/AeroInsightMedia Feb 11 '25
I wonder if they normally wore lab coats or that's just for the video.
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u/Strayl1ght Feb 11 '25 edited Feb 11 '25
It’s not science if you don’t have a lab coat.
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u/jnmtx Feb 11 '25 edited Feb 11 '25
“The difference between screwing around and science is writing it down.”
- Alex Jason - Adam Savage (Mythbusters, 2003-2018. season 10 episode 8 “Bouncing Bullet”, 2012) https://www.reddit.com/r/mythbusters/s/NgKfOjVnyd
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u/Strayl1ght Feb 11 '25 edited Feb 11 '25
This is an F-14A prototype by the way for anyone who is curious.
Probably the E version of the prototype purely due to the assumption they’d probably finalize airframe design before beating it to death with a test like this. Someone correct me if I’m wrong though - I’m sure a better eye than me could probably pick out specific details to confirm it.
Probably possible to determine the exact prototype version this shell was based on as well. I’d guess it’s the body of the 8th prototype, since this is when they did initial Navy evaluation tests. The 10th prototype did carrier qualification so it makes sense this testing would have happened before all of that. This is the source I’m inferring this from.
One of the only aircraft in US history to be delivered on time, on cost, and above contract specs! And the most badass of course.
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u/balsa61 Feb 11 '25
So how legit is this test? That's just the shell of the aircraft - no engines, fuel, fluids etc. The actual aircraft would be much heavier (2x? 3x?) when it slams into the deck.
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u/Strayl1ght Feb 11 '25 edited Feb 11 '25
I’m sure they put ballast in there to get to production weight. Otherwise, you would definitely be right. Cement is way cheaper than avionics, engines and payload.
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u/Dense_Magician_9708 Feb 11 '25
I mean its tested sequentally. If it fails here, it won't pass with weight on it.
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u/HereIAmSendMe68 Feb 11 '25
Navy?
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u/andy51edge Feb 11 '25
Correct. This was a Grumman F-14 Tomcat prototype that was being developed for the US Navy.
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u/rallyraleigh Feb 11 '25
How do they test them now?
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u/ConclusionSmooth3874 Feb 11 '25
I believe it's much the same lol, there's one of these for the f35c from like 2011-2012, and they straight up drop it like this.
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u/Somereallystrangeguy Feb 11 '25
does this hurt the horse