That And Other Milestones Reached For JSF Development
Program
ANN has learned Lockheed Martin and partner BAE Systems have
completed testing of the initial flight-clearance envelope on the
Cooperative Avionics Test Bed
(affectionately called CATBird), a highly modified 737
designed to validate the F-35 Lightning II's avionics.
Lockheed and BAE will use the CATBird, which has completed eight
test missions and logged 24.8 hours, to verify the F-35's
capability to collect data from multiple sensors and display it on
a replica of the fighter's cockpit in the CATBird.
"The CATBird test program is executing to plan, with no
significant issues," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive
vice president and F-35 program general manager. "We will now open
up the flight envelope, which is within the 737's operating
limits."
BAE Systems is responsible for the aircraft's modifications.
Meanwhile, Lockheed says the first F-35 Lightning II has
successfully tested a wide range of aircraft systems and
demonstrated uncommon reliability since its December 15 inaugural
flight .
"F-35 AA-1 is truly proving its worth as a pathfinder air
vehicle. Complex subsystems deemed high-risk just a few months ago
are performing flawlessly," said Brigadier General C.R. Davis, F-35
program executive officer. "Early flight test results show we are
on a path to largely validate the design and aircraft systems
-– we are now entering a period of discovery."
The aircraft so far has flown at 23,000 feet and achieved speeds
of Mach 0.8 and a 16-degree angle of attack according to Lockheed.
The flights also served to calibrate the air-data system while
evaluating basic maneuvering with the landing gear both retracted
and extended.
Lockheed says on its fifth flight, chief test pilot Jon Beesley
lit the F-35's afterburner for the first time unleashing 40,000
pounds of thrust -– more power than any fighter engine in
history. The airborne tests also have tested the speed-brake, the
fuel-dump process, the approach power compensator (an auto-throttle
mode for landing), and evaluated the radio, communication and
navigational systems.
"The F-35's extraordinary reliability relates directly to the
rigorous ground testing and laboratory testing our team used to
validate systems before we ever flew," said Doug Pearson, vice
president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force.
The company says internal systems on the aircraft have performed
exceptionally well, including control surface actuators using
electricity instead hydraulics.
Another unique component in the jet
combines the engine starter, the generator, the emergency power
supply and the environmental-control system into a single unit.
Lockheed says it too has operated successfully.
Lockheed is developing the jet with Northrop Grumman and BAE
Systems.
Also, for the first time, the US government has entered a
production agreement allowing foreign involvement in the
construction of a front-line US fighter. Joining the US in
the production agreement so far is Turkey, The Netherlands,
Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.