F-35C carrier launch: light on fuel, no weapons

The F-35C did some light cat-shots and no weapons in a recent visit to the carrier.

F-35C empty weight history (pounds):

2002 - 30,049
2003 - 30,700
2006 - 32,072 (no help from the 2004 SWAT)
Now  - 34,800

No published operational empty weight. Once an operational empty weight is known. If it isn't known already by NAVAIR, the jet will be heavier than 34,800 pounds with no fuel and no weapons.

According to this fan-piece, in the recent carrier visit, it did launches of up to 50,000 pounds.

The carrier was operating in crosswinds of up to 40 knots, and the planes were taking off with nearly full fuel loads of 50,000 pounds (fuel plus 34,800 pounds of airplane) at the lowest speeds possible to establish the baseline for F-35C operations from here on out.

Emphasis added. No weapons and light on fuel.

The true results? America is spending $15B-each on new carriers (air wing plus escorts)... maybe more, to deploy an obsolete to the threat carrier air wing which will get shot down vs. emerging and some existing threats.

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