Four months later than the original development plan. The F-35 will not get the “full combat capability” until late autumn of 2017.
Several times we had raised doubts about the original timing, considering the instability of the Block third and integration with the 3F . A few hours ago the confirmation.
The Block 2B and the third took longer than we had anticipated – writes General Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Office, in a report written delivered a few hours ago the Armed Services Committee of the House – tests on Block 3F began late .
As it is now known, the Marine Corps said the Operational Capacity start with 2B software last summer. The Air Force, however, hopes to declare its operational F-35 by next December 30. We know that the software Block third was delivered for flight test last May, to support the IOC Air Force statement. Writing the code for the final software development (Block 3F) was completed in 2015 and the software was delivered for flight test. Throughout 2016 there is more updates until the completion of the 3F expected by the end of the phase of System Development and Demonstration Program (SDD) in autumn 2017, to support the IOC Declaration Navy planned for 2018 and the start the phase operational evaluation IOT & amp; E (Initial operational Test and evaluation). At December 31, the program had completed 80% of test points required in the development and demonstration (SDD) and was considered in line with the expected completion in the fourth quarter of 2017.
“The 3F It will be delivered four months late, but it is a more optimistic estimate than the projection last year. We do not anticipate difficulties for the Initial Operational Capacity of the Navy remains scheduled to 2018/2019. “
the problems related to software and to their integration into the final flow, as we have repeatedly noted, were serious. The last in order of time is A software error caused by an unforeseeable error that interferes with the ability of the radar AN / APG-81 AESA F-35. It is thus a mismatch between the timing of the aircraft’s sensors and software architecture of the F-35’s main systems. The “choking effect” requires a restart of the software. “Lockheed Martin has identified the root cause and flight tests with the correct software will take place at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in the coming weeks.”
Set up, finally, even the ” Red Team “, composed of experts from the Navy, Air Force and civilian personnel. Lockheed Martin will join to find solutions to current problems and those that may arise to reach full capacity Warfighting F-35.
Returning to the software, Bogdan has virtually confirmed estimates of the director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Michael Gilmore, who had previously said the “troubling shortcomings of Block 3F”. Gilmore wrote: “The problems of stability and 3F features are evident as they inherited from the previous software. Critical issues that impede the pursuit of flight tests. The Block 3F, even with significant improvements in stability, will not be ready before the end of 2018. “
The F-35A will reach Initial Operational Capacity between August and December 2016. L ‘ US Navy, equipped with the F-35C, will reach Initial Operational Capacity as soon as it formed the first squadron consists of 10 aircraft, with staff and Navy pilots trained and able to carry out their assigned missions. The ‘F-35C will reach Initial Operational Capacity between August 2018 and February 2019, with the full package of 3F software.
(Photo: Lockheed Martin)
No comments:
Post a Comment