Forum: F-35 milestones

Just uploaded the last image to that gallery. Lots of new shots.

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_ ... ry_style=3

--C1

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'codeonemagazine' thanks. Some terrific new photos of events in that new URL stream above. How about some more videos of F-35B ops aboard USS Wasp no music longer than a few seconds please? Tah.

F-35 Surpasses 2011 Testing Goals (So Where Are All The News Stories?) Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D. Nov 21, 2011

http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/f-35- ... amp;c=1171

"Aviation Week & Space Technology reports today that the nation's biggest weapons development program has surpassed its testing goals for calendar year 2011, and is on track to do the same in 2012. The goal for 2011 was 872 flight tests, and as of last Thursday [17 Nov 2011], 875 had been completed.....

Not worth jumping the URL but youse can if youse want to.... Very Happy

The F-35 SDD program just passed it's goal (in test Flights) for 2011 and the current pace of tests will let them achieve 2012 goals as well.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... calreports

spazsinbad wrote:

[b..Not worth jumping.. Very Happy

.. test points, .not quite.. in the order planned.. 500 more in the CV .. than the plan and .100 more of CTOL .. and Stovl to accomplish.”?? Shocked

ARE THESE CORRECT?? ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE CTOL WOULD HAVE BEEN AHEAD AND THE CV BEHIND??

. major objective of .. 2011 .. clear . envelope for flight training. “We have done that, and delivered several updates to that envelope,” .. Training on the F-35A at Eglin AFB, Fla., has yet to begin. Wink

IS THIS TO BE A CHRISTMAS PRESENT??

Or they were very pessimistic on the F-35C's schedule and were surprised on it's performance.

Any info on the HOOK Redesign for F-35C?

F-35 clearly not ready for prime time by Bob Cox December 06, 2011

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk ... inter.html

“...One of the big problems is with the tail hook arresting gear mechanism on the F-35C that is supposed to bring the planes to a screeching halt in landings aboard Navy carriers.

The tail hook mechanism failed all eight landing attempts in tests and requires significant and, apparently, challenging redesign of the system and perhaps the aircraft structure itself. “If this change is not successful there is risk for significant air-frame structures redesign and or impacts to over-all” radar signature, the report said....”

What was the problem? Did it rip off, lose grip on the cable, etc?

LM Press Release: Also POINTED at here: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-16712.html

For the record:
Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Exceeds 2011 Flight Test Goals By Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Published: Jan. 12, 2012

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/pres ... goals.html

"FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35 System Development and Demonstration 2011 flight test program resulted in the completion of more test flights and test points than in any year.

The 2011 flight test plan called for the accumulation of 872 flights and 6,622 test points by Dec. 31. For the year, the SDD program flew 972 flights and tallied 7,823 test points. The F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) variant flew 474 flights and accomplished 3,600 test points. The F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant accomplished 333 flights and 2,636 test points. The F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) flew 165 flights and tallied 1,587 test points. Along with this, the STOVL executed 268 vertical landings. The cumulative 2011 milestones were achieved through a combination of planned test flights and test points along with test flights and test points added throughout the year.

"The success of the flight test program is the result of a team of dedicated government and contractor professionals," said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin's F-35 program executive vice president and general manager. "The test team continues to gain momentum and they will build upon this success for an even better 2012. I couldn't be prouder of the team."

The overall F-35 SDD flight test program plan calls for the verification of 59,585 test points through developmental test flights by Dec. 31, 2016. Through 2011, the flight test team has accomplished 12,728 test points or 21.4 percent of overall testing requirements.

"These achievements speak to the rapid maturation of the F-35 program and to our team's commitment to performing with excellence," said J.D. McFarlan, vice president of F-35 Test and Verification. "We will now turn towards 2012, expanding the flight envelope as we continue to demonstrate the F-35's excellent flight characteristics for all three variants."

Major flight test achievements in 2011 include:
A major highlight for October was the completion of F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) ship suitability testing aboard the USS WASP (LHD-1) off the coast of Virginia. The test began when BF-2 executed the first shipboard vertical landing on Oct. 3. The next day, BF-2 executed the first short takeoff from the WASP. During the third week of sea trials, BF-2 and BF-4 operated simultaneously on the ship. Combined, they accomplished 72 short takeoffs and 72 vertical landings during the three-week testing period.

The mission systems test aircraft performed Block 1A and Block 1B software testing including demonstrating Communication Navigation and Identification (CNI) range and accuracy and integrated Electro-Optical Targeting System testing that included Tactical FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) and combat laser firing. The software also displayed imagery from the Distributed Aperture System on the Helmet Mounted Display. Further testing accomplished radar search and target tracking, Synthetic Aperture Radar Mapping, Electronic Warfare testing, and multi-sensor fusion of four sensors. In addition, baseline Radar Cross Section signature testing was accomplished on three mission system aircraft.

On Nov. 18, CF-3, an F-35C test aircraft, conducted the first F-35 launch from the Navy's new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Testing the F-35C on EMALS marked the beginning of the process to integrate the carrier variant with the future carrier fleet aircraft launching system.

The F-35B STOVL jets conducted 268 vertical landings (VLs) in 2011 compared to 10 VLs in 2010. F-35B aircraft also completed 395 short takeoffs (STOs) last year.

AF-1 achieved the F-35's maximum design limit speed of Mach 1.6 for the first time on Oct. 25.

Jet Blast Deflector (JBD) testing was performed by F-35C Lightning II carrier variant (CV) aircraft CF-2 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. from June 25-July 8. CF-2 successfully completed this portion of tests required to ensure the F-35C is compatible aboard an aircraft carrier.

AF-6 and AF-7 completed Maturity Flight testing of the training syllabus software at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., designed to simulate operating an F-35 without a mission control room.

The F-35 program successfully performed aerial refueling testing with KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft...."

SpudmanWP wrote:

The F-35 SDD program just passed it's goal (in test Flights) for 2011 and the current pace of tests will let them achieve 2012 goals as well.

"

Headline in the Ottawa Citizen . . they just can't resist torquing a headline

"Lockheed Martin Says in 2011 the F-35 Exceeded The Number of Flight Tests For Its Testing Plan"

Lockheed Martin DID exceed the Plan.

spazsinbad wrote:

...The F-35 program successfully performed aerial refueling testing with KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft...."

The USAF KC-10 has both a flying boom and also a separate hose and drogue system manufactured by Cobham plc.

Which F-35 refueled from the KC-10 and on what date (missed this Smile

)?

F-35 Program Status and Fast Facts http://f-35.ca/publications-en/

http://f-35.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/ ... 6-2012.pdf (55Kb)

Program Status
• Cumulative flight test activity totals for 2011 as of December 31, are provided below:
o F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jets have flown 474 times.
o F-35B short takeoff/ vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft have completed 333 flights.
o F-35C carrier variant (CV) jets have flown 165 times.
________________________________

System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP)
Six Jets at Edwards AFB, Calif.
• AF-1–FF Nov. 14, 2009; Ferry May 17, 2010
• AF-2 –FF April 20, 2010; Ferry May 17, 2010
• AF-3 –FF July 6, 2010; Ferry Dec. 11, 2010
• AF-4 - FF Dec. 30, 2010; Ferry Jan. 22, 2011
• AF-6 – FF Feb. 25, 2011; DD250: May 12, 2011; Ferry May 13, 2011
• AF-7 – FF March 4, 2011; DD250: May 5, 2011; Ferry May 6, 2011

Eight Jets at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
• BF-1– FF June 2008; Ferry Nov. 15, 2009; First VL March 18, 2010
• BF-2 – FF Feb. 25, 2009; Ferry Dec. 29, 2009; First VL Jan. 26, 2011
• BF-3– FF Feb. 2, 2010; Ferry Feb. 17, 2010; First VL April 29, 2011
• BF-4– FF April 6, 2010; Ferry June 7, 2010; First VL April 27, 2011
• BF-5 – FF Jan. 27, 2011; Ferry July 16, 2011
• CF-1– FF June 6, 2010; Ferry Nov. 6, 2010
• CF-2– FF April 29, 2011; Ferry May 16, 2011
• CF-3– FF May 21, 2011; Ferry June 2, 2011

Nine Jets at Eglin AFB, Fla.
• AF-8 – FF May 6, 2011; DD250: July 17, 2011; Ferry: July 20, 2011
• AF-9 –FF May 13, 2011; DD250: July 8, 2011; Ferry: July 14, 2011
• AF-10 – FF June 29, 2011; DD250: Aug. 15, 2011; Ferry: Aug. 31, 2011
• AF-11 – FF July 1, 2011; DD250: Aug. 2, 2011; Ferry: Aug. 31, 2011
• AF-12 – FF July 8, 2011; DD250: Sept. 2, 2011; Ferry: Oct. 19, 2011
• AF-13 – FF July 14, 2011; DD250: Oct. 21, 2011; Ferry: Oct. 26, 2011
• BF-6 – FF Oct. 26, 2011; DD250: Dec. 30, 2011; Ferry: Jan. 11, 2012
• BF-8 – FF Nov. 29, 2011; DD250: Jan. 8, 2012; Ferry: Jan. 11, 2012
• BF-7 – FF Dec. 21, 2011; DD250: Jan. 16, 2012; Ferry: Jan. 19, 2012
____________________

Propulsion* (uninstalled thrust ratings)
F135-PW-100
40,000 lbs Max.
25,000 lbs Mil.

F135-PW-600
38,000 lbs Max.
26,000 lbs Mil.
40,500 lbs Vertical

F135-PW-100
40,000 lbs Max.
25,000 lbs Mil.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Flight Test And Production Progress Report FORT WORTH, Texas,
Feb. 23, 2012 --

Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] F-35 program continues to build on its 2011 flight test success.
For 2012, the baseline F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) flight test plan calls for the accumulation of 1,001 test flights and 7,873 test points.
However, growth in test point requirements throughout the year is anticipated, and the plan will be adjusted as needed.

As of Feb. 20, the F-35 Lightning II 5th Generation multirole fighter had conducted 114 flight tests and achieved 773 test points. A portion of the earned test points came from work added to the flight test baseline plan. Lockheed Martin has delivered three F-35s to the Department of Defense (DOD) year to date.

Since Jan. 1, the F-35 program accomplished several flight test and production milestones:

On Jan. 9, AF-4, an F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) test aircraft, reached the highest altitude to date in an F-35; 43,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL).
Lockheed Martin ferried the first two production model F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps on Jan. 11. The aircraft, known as BF-6 and BF-8, are now assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron 501 residing with the host 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Fla.
Demonstrating the ongoing maturation of the F-35 integrated sensor suite, AF-3, an F-35A CTOL test jet, completed the first low Distributed Aperture System (DAS) approach on Jan. 17.
On Jan. 18, the first night flight in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program was completed at Edwards AFB, Calif. Piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot Mark Ward, AF-6, an F-35A CTOL test jet, took off at 5:05 p.m. PST and landed after sunset at 6:22 p.m.
With the ferry flight of BF-7, an F-35B STOVL, Eglin AFB, Fla., became home of the largest F-35 fleet in the DOD on Jan. 19. BF-7 was the 23rd F-35 Lightning II delivered to the DOD.
On Jan. 20, citing the tremendous progress the F-35B STOVL variant made in 2011, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta rescinded probation for the F-35B, almost a full year ahead of schedule.
The F-35 SDD fleet including AA-1, the original test aircraft, crossed the 2,500 flight hour threshold on Jan. 25.
On Feb. 16 at Edwards AFB, Calif., AF-1, an F-35A CTOL test jet, flew the first external weapons test mission in program history.
Cumulative flight test activity totals for 2012 through Feb. 20 are provided below:

F-35A CTOL jets have flown 46 times.
F-35B STOVL aircraft have completed 45 flights.
F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) jets have flown 23 times.
From the start of flight testing in December 2006, F-35s have flown 1,704 times, including the production-model flights and AA-1, the original flight test aircraft. For video highlights of the F-35 program, click here.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

Just for the record the PR above is repeated here earlier: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopi ... t-105.html

Forum: F-35 milestones

Overview of F-35 test flights