F-35A Reaches 'Huge Milestone' In Program Development | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.03.24

Airborne-NextGen-06.04.24

Airborne-Unlimited-06.05.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.06.24

Airborne-Unlimited-06.07.24

Tue, Sep 11, 2012

F-35A Reaches 'Huge Milestone' In Program Development

Operational Utility Evaluation Began Monday

Air Force officials began their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation September 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, FL, along with two Air Force test pilots, will conduct the review expected to last approximately 65 days.

"The start of the OUE is another huge milestone for the Air Force and the program as a whole," said Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. "We've been preparing for this event since the arrival of our first aircraft in July last year. So far, the men and women of the 33rd Fighter Wing have proven we can successfully execute safe and effective flying operations in addition to academic training."
 
Since February's Military Flight Release, 11 experienced fighter pilots checked out in basic F-35A operations so they can be prepared to be the military's first cadre for the fifth generation fighter. Maj. John Wilson and Maj. Matthew Johnston, the 33rd FW pilots going through the evaluation, are ready to be taken through a rigorous process where data will be collected from all facets of JSF training - maintenance, classroom, simulator and flights.
 
Leaders at the 33rd FW are confident their team of Airmen, Navy, Marines, contracted partners and civilians are ready for the next milestone in the nation's next half-century of airpower dominance. "We are ready for the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center to give us an outside look on the way we conduct our mission," said Toth. "At the conclusion of the evaluation we should receive the Air Education and Training Command's approval that states we are 'ready for training'."
 
This milestone for the Air Force will be a precursor to training other services and allies. The wing is responsible for F-35 pilot and maintainer training. Initially, 59 aircraft and three flying squadrons, one for each service/aircraft variant, will be established at Eglin. The 33rd FW has flown more than 200 JSF sorties, both A and B variant, increasing pilot and maintainer familiarity with the aircraft, exercising the logistics infrastructure and continuing to develop aircraft maturity. These initial F-35A flights were limited, scripted and conducted within the restrictions and stipulations made in February's military flight release.
 
Now that release has been updated for OUE, necessary joint program office and AFOTEC formal readiness reviews have been completed and the AETC local area operations metrics and safety reviews all support the Air Force readiness to execute OUE safely and effectively, service officials said.

FMI: www.af.mil

Advertisement

More News

ALTO NG Sees Increased Payload

Improvement Brings LSA to Poland, Germany, & Hungary Czech LSA manufacturer Direct Fly has given its low-wing, tricycle geared LSA an upgrade, with a bump to a max takeoff weig>[...]

Airborne 05.30.24: High Time B29 Pilot, KLAL Teams With ACE, CHOPPER COPS

Also: Midnight eVTOL Certification, Falcon 9 Record, Pro Line Fusion, Europa Clipper The warbird community celebrated Mark Novak, Chief Pilot of their B-29 'Doc', and his accomplis>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Ralph Maloof Revs Up - Innovations For Homebuilt A/C Engines

From 2016 (YouTube Version): A VW Bug Engine Conversion Has Matured Into an Engine for the Airplane Homebuilder… While at EAA AirVenture 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, v>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Powrachute Pegasus

Large Heavy-Duty Deer Feed Bag Obstructed The Radiator Inlet And Restricted Its Designed Cooling Capability Analysis: Before departing on the local area flight in the experimental >[...]

Mesa Invests in TriFan 600

The Project Looks Promising Enough for Procurement Already, but the Order isn't Firm Yet XTI Aerospace announced that Mesa Airlines has placed an investment-cum-order into their co>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC