JSF Training Awaits Testing Verdict

Jun 20, 2011 By Amy Butler Robert Wall - AviationWeek.com

Paris, - U.S. Navy and Air Force test personnel will conduct an operational utility evaluation (OUE) of the Joint Strike Fighter using six of the first F-35As to go to the schoolhouse in Eglin AFB, Fla. this fall.

The outcome of this OUE will determine the willingness of the Air Education and Training Command to approve commencement of formal training operations at Eglin, says Maj. Gen. CD Moore, deputy director of the U.S.-led JSF program office.

Training is slated to start in September, but could slip depending on a series of events leading up to and including the OUE. Ultimately, though, the goal remains to begin formal training at Eglin this fall, Moore tells Aviation Week during a June 19 interview prior to the opening of this week’s Paris Air Show. The plan is to use four pilots for the OUE period.

These service test experts typically conduct operational evaluations for formal testing periods and entry of a program into the production phase. However, Moore says the program office is eager to get an understanding from the testers on how the system works during the two-month OUE.

Leading up to the OUE, AF-6 and -7 -- the first two conventional-takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) production versions that were slated to enter the training squadron but were quickly diverted to support testing at Edwards AFB, Calif. -- will execute a series of “maturity” flights. AF-6 and -7 will fly with the Block 1A software, which includes the mission avionics suite and basic qualities such as navigation, instrumentation and some radar and electronic warfare capabilities. Though not a “got to war” configuration this 1A software will be used for early training, Moore says. These maturity flights are crucial in obtaining the first of two flight clearances needed to proceed with the OUE, he adds.

The 1B software -- which will include multi-level security for international partners to participate – is slated for release late this year, Moore says.

In parallel with the maturity flights at Edwards, production aircraft 8-13 will be arriving at Eglin.

AF-8 and -9 are ready to deliver to Eglin in “days,” though not likely this week, Moore says. Aircraft 10-13 will follow in the next few months. AF-10 and -11 may fly this week, AF-12 is slated for first flight later this month and F-13 is expected to make its maiden flight in July, Moore says.

For the next roughly two months, while awaiting clearance to enter the OUE, officials at Eglin will be refining and verifying the technical data as well as conducting “day-in-the-life” exercises. This will also be a period for maintainers to work directly with the aircraft in advance of the OUE.