Dutch F-35 OT going home.
-
- Elite 2K
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: 24 Oct 2008, 00:03
- Location: Houston
http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123473798
Dutch F-35 OT contingent prepping to head overseas
Posted 5/16/2016
by Kenji Thuloweit
412th Test Wing Public Affairs
5/16/2016 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Several media members and Royal Netherlands Air Force representatives stopped by May 10 to cover a big story.
In about a week, most of the Dutch component of the F-35 Joint Operational Test Team will head to their homeland where they will conduct test sorties and introduce their fifth-generation fighter to the Netherlands people, which falls in line with a promise made by Netherlands Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert to bring the jets home for an up-close and personal viewing for the public.
The two Dutch F-35As will takeoff from Edwards and land at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. After fueling up and running some checks, the duo will head out on their roughly seven-hour transatlantic flight followed by two RNLAF KDC-10 aerial refuelers and a NATO C-17 carrying gear and spare parts.
The planes will land at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands, which is one of two bases that will be home to the RNLAF's F-35s when they arrive permanently in 2019. The RNLAF plans to replace its legacy F-16A/B fleet with a minimum of 37 F-35s, split between two bases.
The three-week mission not only fulfills the Netherlands defense minister's promise, it also provides an excellent test opportunity.
"We've turned it into a deployment that fits really well in our operational test activities," said RFLAF Col. Albert de Smit, Netherlands F-35 Operational Test Detachment commander. "We are doing a variety of things as part of OT test. There have been deployments by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, and by the U.S. Air Force to Mountain Home [Air Force Base, Idaho]. So we thought one of the things we have not done is a long-range overseas deployment."
While at Leeuwarden AB, the detachment will conduct test operations and expect to learn a lot.
"I'm sure we are going to have to deal with challenges. We've turned it into a three-week deployment where we will conduct regular sorties just like we do here; just turn sorties so we can see if the maintenance and logistics pieces all work and if [information technology] can support us throughout the whole thing. I'm sure it's going to generate a ton of lessons learned and things to take away from," de Smit said.
Towards the end of the deployment, Leeuwarden AB will hold a public air show complete with the new F-35s.
Leading up to this deployment has been no small task according to de Smit. Along with the intense planning and coordination, KDC-10 certification flights were conducted earlier this year to ensure the Dutch F-35s were cleared to mid-air refuel. Additionally, de Smit said an information technology link had to be established so they can communicate back with the test force at Edwards AFB. It was a challenge because the Netherlands IT infrastructure differs from that of the U.S.
"We needed to have an IT connection with Edwards, and to put that architecture up has been an interesting endeavor."
The Dutch OT detachment will send test data back to Edwards and process maintenance items through the F-35 program's maintenance framework called ALIS (Autonomic Logistics Information System).
The RNLAF colonel says after all the coordination, certifications and "creative thinking and modeling," they're finally ready to take their planes home.
"I think we're looking pretty good. Now it's really the packing up, making sure everything gets on the airplanes. And obviously we have to have two good airplanes to take with us so our maintenance guys have been working really hard to make sure the planes are good to go," said de Smit.
The Dutch F-35 OT Detachment at Edwards is part of a collective test operation with the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines, United Kingdom and Australia. The lessons learned will be shared across the board from the deployment.
Dutch F-35 OT contingent prepping to head overseas
Posted 5/16/2016
by Kenji Thuloweit
412th Test Wing Public Affairs
5/16/2016 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Several media members and Royal Netherlands Air Force representatives stopped by May 10 to cover a big story.
In about a week, most of the Dutch component of the F-35 Joint Operational Test Team will head to their homeland where they will conduct test sorties and introduce their fifth-generation fighter to the Netherlands people, which falls in line with a promise made by Netherlands Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert to bring the jets home for an up-close and personal viewing for the public.
The two Dutch F-35As will takeoff from Edwards and land at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. After fueling up and running some checks, the duo will head out on their roughly seven-hour transatlantic flight followed by two RNLAF KDC-10 aerial refuelers and a NATO C-17 carrying gear and spare parts.
The planes will land at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands, which is one of two bases that will be home to the RNLAF's F-35s when they arrive permanently in 2019. The RNLAF plans to replace its legacy F-16A/B fleet with a minimum of 37 F-35s, split between two bases.
The three-week mission not only fulfills the Netherlands defense minister's promise, it also provides an excellent test opportunity.
"We've turned it into a deployment that fits really well in our operational test activities," said RFLAF Col. Albert de Smit, Netherlands F-35 Operational Test Detachment commander. "We are doing a variety of things as part of OT test. There have been deployments by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, and by the U.S. Air Force to Mountain Home [Air Force Base, Idaho]. So we thought one of the things we have not done is a long-range overseas deployment."
While at Leeuwarden AB, the detachment will conduct test operations and expect to learn a lot.
"I'm sure we are going to have to deal with challenges. We've turned it into a three-week deployment where we will conduct regular sorties just like we do here; just turn sorties so we can see if the maintenance and logistics pieces all work and if [information technology] can support us throughout the whole thing. I'm sure it's going to generate a ton of lessons learned and things to take away from," de Smit said.
Towards the end of the deployment, Leeuwarden AB will hold a public air show complete with the new F-35s.
Leading up to this deployment has been no small task according to de Smit. Along with the intense planning and coordination, KDC-10 certification flights were conducted earlier this year to ensure the Dutch F-35s were cleared to mid-air refuel. Additionally, de Smit said an information technology link had to be established so they can communicate back with the test force at Edwards AFB. It was a challenge because the Netherlands IT infrastructure differs from that of the U.S.
"We needed to have an IT connection with Edwards, and to put that architecture up has been an interesting endeavor."
The Dutch OT detachment will send test data back to Edwards and process maintenance items through the F-35 program's maintenance framework called ALIS (Autonomic Logistics Information System).
The RNLAF colonel says after all the coordination, certifications and "creative thinking and modeling," they're finally ready to take their planes home.
"I think we're looking pretty good. Now it's really the packing up, making sure everything gets on the airplanes. And obviously we have to have two good airplanes to take with us so our maintenance guys have been working really hard to make sure the planes are good to go," said de Smit.
The Dutch F-35 OT Detachment at Edwards is part of a collective test operation with the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines, United Kingdom and Australia. The lessons learned will be shared across the board from the deployment.
- Forum Veteran
- Posts: 694
- Joined: 01 Jan 2011, 23:40
- Location: NL
DUTCH TO TEST F-35’S LOGISTICAL SYSTEM DURING DEPLOYMENT
2016/05/18
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) plans to put the F-35’s Autonomous Logistics Information System (ALIS) to the test when it deploys not one, but two aircraft from the US to the Netherlands next week. “We will study the logistical footprint of this deployment on behalf of all other partners in the F-35 program”, says Col. Albert ‘Vidal’ de Smit, who will lead the deployment by flying one the F-35s from Edwards Air Force Base to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands himself.
On Saturday 21 May, both RNLAF Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs currently based at Edwards for testing purposes, will first ferry to Naval Air Station Patuxent River on the US East coast. They are joined by a KDC-10 tanker and approximately 30 Dutch personnel. On Monday 23 May, the aircraft will cross the Atlantic for the direct flight to Leeuwarden, where they are scheduled to arrive at eight in the evening. Once there, the aircraft will undertake so-called ‘perception flights’ to familiarize those living around both Leeuwarden and Volkel airbases with the F-35’s sound profile. The aircraft is known to be louder than the F-16 it replaces, but the sound characterics are different also.
The Dutch are taking roughly 35 tonnes of support equipment with them on board the KDC-10 and a C-17 Globemaster III. “It may seem impressive, but in fact a lot of the weight is taken up some heavy ground equipment that is independent from the amount of aircraft that we deploy. Nevertheless, we do have a lot of spare parts available to us, including two spare engines that will remain on the US East coast”, says De Smit.
Key missions
Surveying the deployment’s footprint is one of the objectives during the three week’s stay in the Netherlands, as is testing and evaluating ALIS, the logistical component that is crucial to F-35 operations but is also suffering from various software related issues. Last but not least, the system doesn’t yet interact with the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine. De Smit: “It ‘ll be interesting to see how ALIS supports this deployment and is able to deliver us certain spare parts on short notice. Even if we don’t need to change parts, we’ll probably still order some parts from the US when we are in Europe, just to see how ALIS and the supply chain hold up.”
ALIS is known to be dependent on server access. The Dutch will experiment by not taking their dedicated server with them, but instead leaving it at Edwards and accessing it remotely from the Netherlands. Information gathered will be shared with the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). Several Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel will support the Dutch during the deployment, capturing data and lessons learned about ALIS and logistical challenges. Several US staff will travel along to support security requirements for the two F-35s.
Shelters
Other than that, the deployment will also test how the F-35 interacts with the hardened aircraft shelter at Dutch airbases. “It will mark the first time the jet operates out of these shelters”, says De Smit. “Together with the F-35 JPO we are gathering data on the impact on both the aircraft, environment and human conditions.
Flying Schedule
During their stay in the Netherlands, the two F-35s generate sorties taking part in the regular flight program, which will further stress the sustainment system of the aircraft. In 2015, the Dutch operated F-16s and F-35s alongside each other during tests at Edwards Air Force Base, highlighting the role of the F-35 as an intelligence platform that provides information to other fighter aircraft via data link systems. According to De Smit, it is not unlikely RNLAF F-16s and F-35s will operate alongside each other ‘for real’ in the 2018 – 2023 timeframe. In 2023, the final F-16 should leave Dutch service. De Smit: “Also, beyond 2023 our F-35s will still have to interact with other allied and 4th generation jets.”
Airshow
After also taking part in the Leeuwarden Airshow on 10 and 11 June – marking the F-35 international airshow debut ahead of the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in July – both F-35s will ferry back to Edwards and continue Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) there. That will involve getting the aircraft ready for Block 3 software that enables the firing of air-to-air munitions.
Meanwhile, the majority of Dutch taxpayers won’t see an F-35 again until 2019, when the first aircraft should start arriving at Leeuwarden to take the place of the F-16. At least, thanks to next week’s deployment those same taxpayers will know exactly what a Lightning II sounds like.
http://airheadsfly.com/2016/05/18/dutch ... eployment/
2016/05/18
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) plans to put the F-35’s Autonomous Logistics Information System (ALIS) to the test when it deploys not one, but two aircraft from the US to the Netherlands next week. “We will study the logistical footprint of this deployment on behalf of all other partners in the F-35 program”, says Col. Albert ‘Vidal’ de Smit, who will lead the deployment by flying one the F-35s from Edwards Air Force Base to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands himself.
On Saturday 21 May, both RNLAF Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs currently based at Edwards for testing purposes, will first ferry to Naval Air Station Patuxent River on the US East coast. They are joined by a KDC-10 tanker and approximately 30 Dutch personnel. On Monday 23 May, the aircraft will cross the Atlantic for the direct flight to Leeuwarden, where they are scheduled to arrive at eight in the evening. Once there, the aircraft will undertake so-called ‘perception flights’ to familiarize those living around both Leeuwarden and Volkel airbases with the F-35’s sound profile. The aircraft is known to be louder than the F-16 it replaces, but the sound characterics are different also.
The Dutch are taking roughly 35 tonnes of support equipment with them on board the KDC-10 and a C-17 Globemaster III. “It may seem impressive, but in fact a lot of the weight is taken up some heavy ground equipment that is independent from the amount of aircraft that we deploy. Nevertheless, we do have a lot of spare parts available to us, including two spare engines that will remain on the US East coast”, says De Smit.
Key missions
Surveying the deployment’s footprint is one of the objectives during the three week’s stay in the Netherlands, as is testing and evaluating ALIS, the logistical component that is crucial to F-35 operations but is also suffering from various software related issues. Last but not least, the system doesn’t yet interact with the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine. De Smit: “It ‘ll be interesting to see how ALIS supports this deployment and is able to deliver us certain spare parts on short notice. Even if we don’t need to change parts, we’ll probably still order some parts from the US when we are in Europe, just to see how ALIS and the supply chain hold up.”
ALIS is known to be dependent on server access. The Dutch will experiment by not taking their dedicated server with them, but instead leaving it at Edwards and accessing it remotely from the Netherlands. Information gathered will be shared with the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). Several Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel will support the Dutch during the deployment, capturing data and lessons learned about ALIS and logistical challenges. Several US staff will travel along to support security requirements for the two F-35s.
Shelters
Other than that, the deployment will also test how the F-35 interacts with the hardened aircraft shelter at Dutch airbases. “It will mark the first time the jet operates out of these shelters”, says De Smit. “Together with the F-35 JPO we are gathering data on the impact on both the aircraft, environment and human conditions.
Flying Schedule
During their stay in the Netherlands, the two F-35s generate sorties taking part in the regular flight program, which will further stress the sustainment system of the aircraft. In 2015, the Dutch operated F-16s and F-35s alongside each other during tests at Edwards Air Force Base, highlighting the role of the F-35 as an intelligence platform that provides information to other fighter aircraft via data link systems. According to De Smit, it is not unlikely RNLAF F-16s and F-35s will operate alongside each other ‘for real’ in the 2018 – 2023 timeframe. In 2023, the final F-16 should leave Dutch service. De Smit: “Also, beyond 2023 our F-35s will still have to interact with other allied and 4th generation jets.”
Airshow
After also taking part in the Leeuwarden Airshow on 10 and 11 June – marking the F-35 international airshow debut ahead of the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in July – both F-35s will ferry back to Edwards and continue Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) there. That will involve getting the aircraft ready for Block 3 software that enables the firing of air-to-air munitions.
Meanwhile, the majority of Dutch taxpayers won’t see an F-35 again until 2019, when the first aircraft should start arriving at Leeuwarden to take the place of the F-16. At least, thanks to next week’s deployment those same taxpayers will know exactly what a Lightning II sounds like.
http://airheadsfly.com/2016/05/18/dutch ... eployment/
-
- Elite 2K
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: 24 Oct 2008, 00:03
- Location: Houston
[quote="m.. On Monday 23 May, the aircraft will cross the Atlantic for the direct flight to Leeuwarden, where they are scheduled to arrive at eight in the evening. Once there, the aircraft will undertake so-called ‘perception flights’ to familiarize those living around both Leeuwarden and Volkel airbases with the F-35’s sound profile. The aircraft is known to be louder than the F-16 it replaces, but the sound characterics are different also.
At Leeuwarden Air Base, the public housing is not concentrated near the ends of the runway, as in some of the US bases, so hopefully the "new" noises will not be an issue. Public use of ear plugs is not accepted well.
....
Shelters
Other than that, the deployment will also test how the F-35 interacts with the hardened aircraft shelter at Dutch airbases. “It will mark the first time the jet operates out of these shelters”, says De Smit. “Together with the F-35 JPO we are gathering data on the impact on both the aircraft, environment and human conditions.
The hardened Dutch shelters appear to be enclosed and single access, no "drive-thru" (burgers and fries ) like some of the US bases. It should be a "different" in shelter experience for the crews.
...
After also taking part in the Leeuwarden Airshow on 10 and 11 June – marking the F-35 international airshow debut ahead of the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in July – both F-35s will ferry back to Edwards and continue Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) there. That will involve getting the aircraft ready for Block 3 software that enables the firing of air-to-air munitions.
Nice multifunctional use of the trip, Good PR!
.. At least, thanks to next week’s deployment those same taxpayers will know exactly what a Lightning II sounds like...[/quote]
At Leeuwarden Air Base, the public housing is not concentrated near the ends of the runway, as in some of the US bases, so hopefully the "new" noises will not be an issue. Public use of ear plugs is not accepted well.
....
Shelters
Other than that, the deployment will also test how the F-35 interacts with the hardened aircraft shelter at Dutch airbases. “It will mark the first time the jet operates out of these shelters”, says De Smit. “Together with the F-35 JPO we are gathering data on the impact on both the aircraft, environment and human conditions.
The hardened Dutch shelters appear to be enclosed and single access, no "drive-thru" (burgers and fries
) like some of the US bases. It should be a "different" in shelter experience for the crews....
After also taking part in the Leeuwarden Airshow on 10 and 11 June – marking the F-35 international airshow debut ahead of the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in July – both F-35s will ferry back to Edwards and continue Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) there. That will involve getting the aircraft ready for Block 3 software that enables the firing of air-to-air munitions.
Nice multifunctional use of the trip, Good PR!
.. At least, thanks to next week’s deployment those same taxpayers will know exactly what a Lightning II sounds like...[/quote]
- Forum Veteran
- Posts: 694
- Joined: 01 Jan 2011, 23:40
- Location: NL
krorvik wrote:I don't think I'd call Dutch climate in may/june very challenging....
Still, it differs a lot with flying in Texas or California
Every Dutch pilot trained in the US needs time to get used to flying in the Northern European climate.
Partly because training as well happens above the North Sea
- Senior member
- Posts: 462
- Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 19:28
Here you can watch the stream of the dutch F-35 when they lands at Leeuwarden. Now it's about 2 hours and 30 min left.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wACWvCTkb-g&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wACWvCTkb-g&feature=youtu.be
-
- Forum Veteran
- Posts: 658
- Joined: 12 Sep 2015, 15:26
m wrote:Still, it differs a lot with flying in Texas or California
Every Dutch pilot trained in the US needs time to get used to flying in the Northern European climate.
Partly because training as well happens above the North Sea
No doubt about that
Fly across to Iceland, or Bodø, and things get downright harsh.Watching the livefeed now btw, lotsa good stuff
-
- Elite 5K
- Posts: 28404
- Joined: 05 May 2009, 21:31
- Location: Australia
LIVE: Two Dutch F-35s arriving at Leeuwarden Air Base
23 May 2016 James Drew
"...The jets are being helped across by two RNAF Boeing/McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tankers, which received F-35 refuelling certification in March. A Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter belonging to NATO is assisting in bringing across more than 35.5t of cargo, including spare parts, support equipment and 30 personnel. The F-35s will be refuelled every 1080nm...."
Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... as-425648/
-
- Elite 5K
- Posts: 7505
- Joined: 16 Oct 2012, 19:42
Watching now. Good stuff
Choose Crews
-
- Elite 2K
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: 24 Oct 2008, 00:03
- Location: Houston
Congrats to the Dutch, wish I were in Amsterdam, again!
F-35s coming and going across the Atlantic!
BTW, is this getting to be ordinary! (joking!!)
http://www.difesa.it/EN/Primo_Piano/Pagine/Luk.aspx
Cameri (NO) 18 May 2016
F-35: second flight from Cameri to the USA
Two Italian Air Force F35A Lightning II have taken off today from Cameri Air Base. After a stop-over in Lajes (Azores) they will land at Luke AFB, Arizona.
The Italian aircraft – entirely assembled at Cameri FACO (Final Assembly & Check-Out) facility– are flying in formation with two tankers (to ensure air-to-air refueling during the flight). They will land at Luke AFB, Arizona, where the international pilot school dedicated to the new assets is already operational. ... Luke AFB is the only pilot training center for all the countries that have joined the JSF program. The two Italian pilots will join their colleagues who are already stationed at the US Air Force base.
Has Luke landed these two Cameri F-35As, at this time?
F-35s coming and going across the Atlantic!
BTW, is this getting to be ordinary! (joking!!)
http://www.difesa.it/EN/Primo_Piano/Pagine/Luk.aspx
Cameri (NO) 18 May 2016
F-35: second flight from Cameri to the USA
Two Italian Air Force F35A Lightning II have taken off today from Cameri Air Base. After a stop-over in Lajes (Azores) they will land at Luke AFB, Arizona.
The Italian aircraft – entirely assembled at Cameri FACO (Final Assembly & Check-Out) facility– are flying in formation with two tankers (to ensure air-to-air refueling during the flight). They will land at Luke AFB, Arizona, where the international pilot school dedicated to the new assets is already operational. ... Luke AFB is the only pilot training center for all the countries that have joined the JSF program. The two Italian pilots will join their colleagues who are already stationed at the US Air Force base.
Has Luke landed these two Cameri F-35As, at this time?
-
- Elite 5K
- Posts: 28404
- Joined: 05 May 2009, 21:31
- Location: Australia
This thread may be good for future 2 Cameri F-35As: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=28948&p=338769&hilit=Cameri#p338769
Looks as though there was a good crosswind for the straight in (instrument?) landing - I'll make a clip for here - soon.
Looks as though there was a good crosswind for the straight in (instrument?) landing - I'll make a clip for here - soon.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 86 guests