Overview of F-35 test flights

LMAggie, what do you think of Carter's desire to use 3 LRIP F-35s as part of SDD and building an additional F-35C for SDD?

Personally, I think it would be a smart move if it were to happen. It is the only way to recover schedule slips caused in the factory/flightline. The LRIP birds would be temporary loaners so there not much cost or force impact to the govt. I think 'CF-X' is the only real impact cost wise.

Someone on another board mentioned that SDD airframes had unique wiring & sensors that are not applicable to ITO&E (where the borrowed LRIP F-35 will go after SDD) F-35s and vice versa.

What would be involved in making a LRIP F-35 a SDD F-35 and then to an ITO&E F-35?

BF-1 flight 37 was Saturday.
BF-3 flight 8 was today.

Indeed, thank's!

B. Bolsøy
Oslo

Thanks for information , any news about AF-1 and BF-4 ?

BF-1 flight 37
Saturday Feb. 27. Info to come.

BF-3 flight 6
Feb. 20.

BF-3 flight 7
Feb. 24.

BF-3 flight 8 (overall flight 159)
March 1. BF-3 accomplished a 2.7 hour sortie with Doc Nelson as the pilot.


B. Bolsøy
Oslo

BF-1 flight 37
Saturday Feb. 27. Info to come.

BF-3 flight 6
Feb. 20.

BF-3 flight 7
Feb. 24.

BF-1 flight 37
Saturday Feb. 27. 0.4hr sortie, flying qualities and slow landing.

BF-3 flight 6
Feb. 20. Pilot familiarisation.

BF-3 flight 7
Feb. 24. Pilot familiarisation.

Good question about the 'orange wire.' It really depends on the kind of tests expected to be performed. Flight science and vehicle systems instro is typically more intrusive than mission systems instro. I don't see any reason why instro would keep you from fighting a war, as long as all of the production wiring is installed and working.

SpudmanWP said "What would be involved in making a LRIP F-35 a SDD F-35 and then to an ITO&E F-35?"

An SDD airplane requires much redesign of an LRIP airplane to accomodate the sensors, wiring, and data system. Sensors (thousands) require space, access, bracketry, etc. Wiring requires routing holes, bracketry, etc. Special routing holes usually require local beef-up to maintain structural strength. The data system (sensor power supplies, signal conditioning, recording equipment, telemetering equipment) usually displaces some production equipment, requires power and control cabeling, bracketry, etc. For example, the F-16 data package replaced the ammo drum and gun. All these mods must be made to an LRIP airplane before it could perform SDD missions.

Then, to convert and SDD airplane to IOT&E, the data package would have to be removed so the displaced production equipment could be reinstalled. It would probably not be necessary to remove the sensors and wiring, but the extra weight would impact airplane performance.

Thanks for the SDD info. I guess we will have to wait till May to see how LM will handle it.

On F-35, the mission systems birds have omitted many of the VS test sensors so that really helps cut down on extra wiring (weight). Also on mission systems birds, the data acquisition system is a separate store that is stowed in the internal weapons bay. Its easily removeable, and no A/C components have to be removed. You definately will have the weight-penalty for the extra wiring going to the components being monitored.

However, as johnwill mentioned, flight sciences aircraft are much more integrated into the jet. The air data boom itself requires massive internal real estate.

I'd be curious to see if the govt took the instro-ed LRIP jets after LM's testing and put them permanently in the EAFB test squadron. You know you're gonna need instroed jets at EAFB full time, might as well get one already instroed and compatible with the TM facilities there.

there will be about 20 -25 OT jets that will have DART pod installed. this will be MS data, that's what OT wants, to analyze that data for mission suit/effect etc. We will use the SDD FS jets for all VS envelope expansion requirements. Yes, FOT&E will use SDD jets to continue testing jets. What will be interesting is WHO'S will they be. NO MORE TSPIR is a GREAT THING! I can only hope, we get these jet, we run the test plan etc etc...

BF-1 back in the air today; flight 38.

BF-1 back in the air today; flight 38.

Today is Saturday?

Sounds like a lot of people getting paid overtime with such a cost critical program? Well everybody but the active duty Navy chase crew!

Why couldn’t that sortie wait until Monday?

Tax Payer

BF-1 back in the air today; flight 38.

Great News , thanks for send it .