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.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com