Forum: F-35 milestones

On June 5, BF-5 became the first F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jet to fly with Block 2A software.

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BF-5 became the first F-35B to fly with Block 2A software.
it means that A or C model is more earlier than B?
which jet is the first F-35 to fly with Block 2A software.

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Doesn't answer your question but on topic anyway...

FARNBOROUGH: JSF team starts testing Block 2A software By: Dave Majumdar 11 Jul 2012

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... re-374177/

"The Joint Strike Fighter team has started to test fly the Lockheed Martin-built jet's Block 2A software, says the company's top test pilot.

Al Norman says the new software block, which is the first set of programming that integrates the jet's sensors, is proving to be more stable than earlier, less complicated software blocks. That bodes well for the programme, as the Lockheed Martin F-22 was bedeviled by software stability issues at a similar stage in its development. The test team has already started to undertake maturity flights for that software in order to release it to the F-35 training unit at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

The team has already flown over 90 Block 2A test flights.

Meanwhile, at Patuxent River, Maryland, the US Navy and Marines version are progressing rapidly. The Marines and UK F-35B aircraft flew a short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) sortie with a full load of internal weapons and fuel in early July, says BAE Systems F-35 test pilot Peter Wilson.

Meanwhile, the much troubled F-35 helmet mounted display is also doing better these days, the pilots both say. Permanent fixes are on their way.

Both developments are significant. Block 2A is needed to start training pilots for tactical missions, while the STOVL tests are needed for the Marines' drive to declare the F-35B operational in late 2014 or early 2015 with Block 2B software.

The first USMC operational squadron is scheduled to stand up later this year in Yuma, Arizona."

It seems ephemeral what 'First Aircraft to Fly with Block 2A software' really is about (It is being tested bit by cumulative bit it seems):

F-35 Lightning II Flight Test Update May 8, 2012

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/f-35-l ... 2012-05-08

"...Another aspect of flight testing is the progressive check out of the latest version of mission system software known as Block 2A. To date, more than 90 percent of Block 2A airborne software code is complete with more than 85 percent of that code currently being flight or lab tested. Block 2A flight test is being conducted at Edwards AFB and will continue through this year. Block 2A is scheduled for "ready for training" in the summer of 2013...."

Perhaps it was;

http://www.aviationreportglobal.com/201 ... ng-ii-jsf/

"The program has already encountered six weeks of down time on (test aircraft) AF-6 (ED) for software Block 1B, 2A, 2B which add weapons and more sensor fusion remains to be tested.” Smile

Improving on the Block 1B, Block 2A systems include;

- enhanced simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground training features incorporating weapons and electronic attack

- data sharing via the MADL (Multifunction Advanced Data Link) and Link 16 for interoperability.

These features cover 32 LRIP 4 (EG/ 2013) and 32 LRIP 5 (LF/ 2014) aircraft.

SNAFU/CodeOne seem to be first with the LM F-35 UPDATE 8 news. I'll provide a link also:

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=105

"...2 March 2012: First Flight With Block 2A Software
Lockheed Martin test pilot David Nelson flew the first test flight with Block 2A software loaded on F-35A AF-3. Block 2A is enhanced training software that enables initial data link communication and more mature aircraft systems integration. The two-hour flight at Edwards AFB, California, marked AF-3 Flight 96...."

thanks,
so AF-3 is the jet fly with block2A,

When the test pilots are vetting software do they just use the one aircraft AF-3 or will take a multiple aircraft approach as their confidence in software rises?

Normally on a software rollout you deploy on one, test it, deploy to a second, repeat the tests, compare outcomes, then many things can happen depending on the outcome.

alloycowboy wrote:

...or will take a multiple aircraft approach as their confidence in software rises?

AF-3, BF-05 and perhaps AF-6? Wink

First Flight With Block 2A Software ADDED AGAIN DUE PHOTO RECENT PHOTO LINK BELOW

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_ ... em_id=2166

"2 March 2012: Lockheed Martin test pilot David Nelson flew the first test flight with Block 2A software loaded on F-35A AF-3. Block 2A is enhanced training software that enables initial data link communication and more mature aircraft systems integration. The two-hour flight at Edwards AFB, California, marked AF-3 Flight 96."

Photo by Darin Russell | Posted: 7 August 2012: http://www.codeonemagazine.com/thumbnai ... amp;size=a

From LM Fast Facts 13 Aug 2012: http://f-35.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/ ... 3-2012.pdf

"On July 17, the first CV flight with Block 2A software was conducted."

spazsinbad wrote:

.. the first CV flight with Block 2A software..."

Excellent! Very Happy

, now we have all three, CTOL, STOVL and CV flying with 2A, now........which one?? Question

I imagine this shows how common the three types are with the fast implementation of the Block 2A upgrade across the three types. CTOL-2 Mar, STOVL-5 Jun, CV-17 Jul. I'm sure it compares with all those other a/c that have three types, as well. Laughing

Forum: F-35 milestones

The first F-35 to fly with Block 2A software