JSF F-35 Lightning II

Rappel du premier message :

Bonjour à tous,

Le F-35 est l'avenir de beaucoup de forces aériennes, il remplacera les F-16, A-10, Harrier et autres. Je propose que soient postées ici, si vous êtres d'accord, toutes les infos au sujet du F-35. Merci de m'avoir lu.

Article (en anglais) fort intéressant sur l'avion qui comprend un pdf avec les différents armements que pourra emporter le F-35, tant en soutes, que sous les ailes. Furtif, moins furtif...

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2007/articles/apr_07/lightningstrike/index.html

Dans cet autre article, une image montre qu'il serait aussi possible de rajouter de l'armement en bout d'aile, info, intox?

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2002/articles/arp_02/jsf/index.html

Rafi

Citation :

Pratt & Whitney F135 STOVL Successfully Completed Rigorous Thermal Testing


October 18, 2010 by Marcel van Leeuwen · Leave a Comment

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 18, 2010 – The Pratt & Whitney F135 short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant propulsion system took one more step toward government certification recently with the successful completion of one of the most rigorous, demanding tests in the entire qualification program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
The high temperature margin test which took place at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tennessee involves intentionally running the engine to turbine temperatures beyond design conditions while simultaneously operating the turbomachinery at or above 100 percent of design conditions.
“While these are conditions the F135 engine will not experience during normal field operations, the purpose of this test is to demonstrate design margin at the most extreme operating conditions that could possibly exist,” explained Tyler Evans, director of F135 engine programs. “This is without a doubt one of the most demanding tests for an F-35 engine and the F135 passed the test with flying colors.”
The test also demonstrated the F135 propulsion system’s ability to produce margin relative to thrust with this engine producing 28 percent more thrust than the specification requirement.
“The F135 engine continues to exceed performance expectations to deliver the most advanced, capable fifth generation fighter engine for the F-35,” Evans said. “The engine that completed this test is in excellent condition. It will now complete STOVL powered lift performance qualification testing in West Palm Beach, one of the last steps prior to receiving Initial Service Release qualification from the government.”
The Pratt & Whitney F135 continues its steady progress through development testing and validation into full production and sustainment. The F135 has completed more than 19,000 hours of testing and the Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) / Carrier Variant (CV) engine received Initial Service Release (ISR) in February indicating that the engine has met ISR requirements for safety, reliability, durability and performance, and is now cleared for use in the field. Pratt & Whitney has delivered all flight-test engines required for the program as well as the first ten production engines. The STOVL F135 engine is scheduled to receive ISR certification before the end of the year.
Pratt & Whitney, the only engine manufacturer producing fifth generation propulsion systems, has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for eight international partner countries. The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that exclusively powers the F-22 with more than 300,000 engine hours. It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology demonstration programs.
The F135 propulsion system has proven through extensive ground and flight test experience that it can meet diverse aircraft requirements for armed forces around the world. The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine continues to be the only engine powering the successful Lockheed Martin F-35 Flight Test Program.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
Source: Pratt & Whitney press release

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Lockheed Weighs U.K. Decision To Switch JSF Variant



Lockheed Martin officials are "evaluating" the impact of the United Kingdom's decision to nix its planned buy of 138 F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in favor of the F-35C carrier variant.
"We will work closely with the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence to assess the impact of any reductions to the
program and to support their decision" to switch to the F-35C, reads an Oct. 19 company statement
Still, the Bethesda, Md.-based company has not been informed of any delays or reductions to the total number of F-35s Britain intends to purchase, "so it's not yet possible to gauge overall cost impact to F-35," company spokesman John Kent said.
This comes the same day London announced that it was dropping the F-35B in favor of the C-model and would keep only one of its two planned Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers in operational service, under the terms of its Strategic Defence and Security Review. The U.K. will retire its Harrier jump jets immediately, according to the review.

defensenews

Citation :

BAE Systems Opens New F-35 Lightning II Machining Facility



October 26, 2010 by Rob Vogelaar · Leave a Comment


Samlesbury, UK – BAE Systems has formally opened a new state-of-the-art titanium machining facility at its Samlesbury site in Lancashire. The robotic facility will be used to manufacture detail and assembly components of the Aft Fuselage, Vertical Tail and Horizontal Tail for the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft, further reinforcing BAE Systems’ key role in the world’s largest defence programme.

From the first sod being cut in May 2009, the 9000 metre square machining facility has taken just ten months to complete and a further eight months to become operational. It comprises two computerised Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) which not only manage the manufacturing requirements and machine tool utilisation, but also interface with order book requirements, thus ensuring components are produced and delivered on a ‘just-in-time’ basis.

Each FMS contains eight large hard metal milling machines, two long spar longeron machines and is supported by a number of secondary operations. The facility is equipped to allow two titanium components to be produced at the same time thus doubling efficiency. This capability will be critical in meeting the growing demands of the F-35 Lightning II programme which, at full rate production, will potentially see aircraft produced at a rate of one per day.

The facility was formally opened by Mark Kane, BAE Systems’ Managing Director – Air Mission Support & Services who commented “This is a huge step forward in the development of our manufacturing capabilities. The facility contains extremely complex manufacturing systems that have taken years to design, with some being the first of their kind in world. Investment in cutting edge technology is fundamental in demonstrating our commitment to enhancing the UK’s manufacturing capabilities and the future of aerospace in the UK.”

Mark added “This facility is also fundamental in ensuring we continue to play a key role in the F-35 programme. We are steadily increasing our technical capability in support of the F-35 programme and this facility will keep us quite literally at the cutting edge of manufacturing technology.”

Source and photo: BAE Systems

L angletterre est toujours interesser par le f-35 alors que un pilote britanique a parler que le mieu c'est que 'angleterre se dote du rafale qui est plus interessant.Mais les anglophones se moque de tous ce que vien de la france .

Moi j'aimerais connaître la position d'un pilote français après essais du JSF....

jer444 a écrit:

L angletterre est toujours interesser par le f-35 alors que un pilote britanique a parler que le mieu c'est que 'angleterre se dote du rafale qui est plus interessant.Mais les anglophones se moque de tous ce que vien de la france .

je serai optimiste à ta place! le nouveau gouvernement compte faire sortir l'Angleterre de sa traditionnelle soumission aux américains. ils parlent de renforcer les relations avec la France !

J'ai sa comme new

http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2010/10/des-jsf-sur-le-pacdg-des-rafale-sur-le.html

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L'interopérabilité franco-britannique va se nourrir des soucis budgétaires des deux côtés de la Manche. "Quand le porte-avions Charles-de-Gaulle est à la mer, il pourra accueillir des JSF britanniques" a affirmé ce matin le ministre français de la Défense. Et, on le sait , une fois doté d'une catapulté, les porte-avions britanniques (le premier d'entre eux ne l'aura pas tout de suite) pourront également accueillir des Rafale, voire d'autres aéronefs (Hawkeye, à vérifier sur le plan technique), sur une longue période. De l'entraînement, à coup sûr, mais peut-être aussi, pour des déploiements intéressants les deux pays.
Hervé Morin a précisé que cette capacité avait été vérifiée "sur le plan technique" il y a quinze jours, à (sa) demande". Cela a même encore été évoqué hier lors d'une discussion entre le ministre et le CEMA. Cette capacité ne semble générer "aucun problème", si ce n'est quelques évolutions dans la préparation des missions.
On pourra donc voir des Rafale sur un porte-avions britanniques, ce qui permettra, in fine, d'épargner sur le temps d'utilisation du PACDG, qui pourra être réservé à un temps d'utilisation plus opérationnel.
On peut donc, désormais, parler d'une gestion quasi-commune de l'utilisation de nos porte-avions et de leurs groupes aériens embarqués. Ou, en tout cas, beaucoup plus dynamique qu'avant. Ce qui s'inscrit donc bien dans la nouvelle idée "d'interdépendance" des défenses des deux pays. Une idée magnifique et porteuse de valeur (s) : dommage qu'il ait fallu attendre autant de temps...

Dommage car l'Anglois aurait fait de belles economies en achetant le Rafale et aurait disposer d'un chasseur bombardier plus puissant.

Citation :

Costs Rise as F-35 Production is Delayed for Three More Years


The production of Lockheed Martin's F-35 joint strike fighter (JSF) aircraft is expected to cost more and see a delay of up to three years before its delivery to the US Government.
The projections, based on a preliminary analysis of test and production data, reveal that software, engineering and flight difficulties related to JSF production are greater than expected.
A F-35 technical baseline review was prepared by the Pentagon's defence acquisition board for an in-depth examination of the $382bn JSF programme, according to Bloomberg.
New delays and higher prices are expected to cause difficulties in the development and combat testing of the F-35, which is already four years behind schedule.
The delay will lead to the $50bn development phase costing $5bn more, and the JSF being significantly more expensive to maintain than the warplanes it will replace.

airforce-technology

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F-35 Lightning II News



But it is neither the CTOL nor the CV model that holds the current speed and g-load records for the F-35. That honor befalls the F-35B STOVL. Recently the jet accomplished Mach 1.32 and 7 g's, the STOVL's maximum design limit.
The record Mach number was achieved in the BF-2 test aircraft at NAS Patuxent River on October 18. Flight objectives was to expand the STOVL flutter and flying-qualities, and supersonic flight envelope at 30,000 feet. Piloted by RAF Squadron Leader Steve Long, the flight included two sorties and hot pit refueling.
The flight test program has picked up steam and is ahead of plan despite some recent challenges. Some 200 flights have been completed since June and overall the program has logged 460 flights to date. Flights have resumed well after they were suspended in early October to fix a software issue with the jets fuel boost pumps. BF-1 STOVL mode operations were also suspended due to an issue with the auxiliary air inlet (AAI) door hinge. A fix has been implemented and Lockheed confirms that the STOVL restrictions have been lifted and that flights have resumed.
Despite the AAI issue, the STOVL jets have been flying conventional flights. But progress has been slowed due to component reliability issues and the jets are still behind the flight plan. Lockheed says steps are being taken to address root causes and improve tempo. This includes obtaining more spare parts to keep the aircraft flight-ready.
Still, the flight testing managed to stay slightly ahead the plan for the October month. The CTOL jets logged 22 flights against a plan of 17. The STOVL jets flew 27 times against 28 planned, and the CV jet flew three times, two short of the five planned. In all 52 flights were completed against a plan of 50 in October. A further 51 flights are planned for November with a total of 394 due by year's end.

Overall this year, 321 flights have been completed, which is 28 ahead of plan. The CTOL is 66 flights ahead of plan, the CV three flights ahead, however the STOVL lags 41 flights behind plan.

This years 300th sortie was flown on October 20 at Edwards AFB. Lockheed Martin test pilot Jeff Knowles completed a 2.1 hour sortie in the AF-2 jet with objetives including a negative-g loads test point, gear swings and acceleration to Mach 1.05 at 30,000 feet to validate turn performance.

f-16.net

Citation :

F-35 expands envelope and marks 460 test flights



Good progress is being made in F-35 flight testing by the CTOL and CV versions. F-35B STOVL mode flights have resumed, but the variant is still behind schedule.
Despite a smoother flight record, it is neither the CTOL nor the CV model that holds the current speed and g-load records for the F-35. That honor befalls the F-35B STOVL. Recently the jet accomplished Mach 1.32 and 7 g's, the STOVL's maximum design limit.

The record Mach number was achieved in the BF-2 test aircraft at NAS Patuxent River on October 18. Flight objectives was to expand the STOVL flutter and flying-qualities, and supersonic flight envelope at 30,000 feet. Pilot was RAF Squadron Leader Steve Long, and the flight included two sorties and hot pit refueling.

The flight test program has picked up steam and is ahead of plan despite some recent challenges. Some 200 flights have been completed since June and overall the program has logged 460 flights to date. Flights have resumed well after they were suspended in early October to fix a software issue with the jets fuel boost pumps. BF-1 STOVL mode operations were also suspended due to an issue with the auxiliary air inlet (AAI) door hinge. A fix has been implemented and Lockheed confirms that the STOVL restrictions have been lifted and that flights have resumed.

Despite the AAI issue, the STOVL jets have been flying conventional flights. But progress has been slowed due to component reliability issues and the jets are still behind the flight plan. Lockheed says steps are being taken to address root causes and improve tempo. This includes obtaining more spare parts to keep the aircraft flight-ready.

Still, the flight testing managed to stay slightly ahead the plan for the October month. The CTOL jets logged 22 flights against a plan of 17. The STOVL jets flew 27 times against 28 planned, and the CV jet flew three times, two short of the five planned. In all 52 flights were completed against a plan of 50 in October. A further 51 flights are planned for November with a total of 394 due by year's end.

Overall this year, 321 flights have been completed, which is 28 ahead of plan. The CTOL is 66 flights ahead of plan, the CV three flights ahead, however the STOVL lags 41 flights behind the plan.

This years 300th sortie was flown on October 20 at Edwards AFB. Lockheed Martin test pilot Jeff Knowles completed a 2.1 hour sortie in the AF-2 jet with objectives including a negative-g loads test point, gear swings and acceleration to Mach 1.05 at 30,000 feet to validate turn performance.

f-16

Citation :

The first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant, the U.S. Navy's first stealth fighter, arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2:37 p.m. EST. The aircraft, piloted by David "Doc" Nelson, departed NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at 11:31 a.m. EST and achieved successful air refuels at a maximum load of 19,800 pounds during the flight. At Patuxent River, The F-35C will conduct air-to-air refueling and performance testing
Dailyairforce.com

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Lockheed Martin to display F-35 joint strike fighter at Aero India 2011


The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the latest fighter plane from Lockheed Martin which is designed to become the mainstay of the U.S. as well several allies air force and navy, is likely to be displayed at the Aero India 2011 show in Bangalore.

Lockheed Martin to display F-35 joint strike fighter at Aero India 2011

Lockheed Martin is pitching the aircraft’s B or C versions for India’s potential tender for carrier-based fighters to replace the Sea Harrier and equip the indigenous aircraft carrier currently under construction at the Cochin Shipyard and scheduled to be launched in 2014.
Orville Prins, Lockeed Martin’s Vice President, Business Development for India said in New Delhi that the F-35 is the next generation fighter to suit multiple roles for the U.S. and its allies. Lockheed Martin is seeking U.S. government approvals to offer the aircraft to India. “We are trying to bring the F35 to the Aero India show so that Indian Navy can have a feel of the aircraft.

We don’t know yet if the F35 will take part in the flying displays”.

India had floated a request for information (RFI) earlier this year to seek a carrier based fighter plane.
The RFI will be followed by an RFP as soon as the precise requirements are finalized, which could be in mid-2011. Thereafter the acquisition process will begin.
India has already selected the Russian MiG 29K fighters for the Admiral Gorshkov and the reason for going in for an international competition for the indigenous aircraft carriers was that the Indian Navy was looking to replace the entire Sea Harrier fleet besides have a fighter which was capable of take off and landing on the relatively small deck of the indigenous carriers.
The thinking in the Navy was not in favour of a vertical take off and landing plane like the Sea Harrier but rather a catapult- launched aircraft due to problems with maintenance, high fuel consumption during take off and landing and consequently limited fuel for operational use.

defenseworld

Retards annoncé pour le JSF.....
http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=114478

Gémini a écrit:

Retards annoncé pour le JSF.....
http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=114478

Toujours au aguets pour les bonnes nouvelles !!!

Les Espagnols et les Italiens vont faire la gueule vu qu'ils ont dépensé pour construire le BPE et le Cavour pour le F35 ça va les privé pour encore longtemps d'avions performants pour leur GA.
...................QUoi qu'avec le retrait des Harriers Britaniques ça pourra compenser.

le buzz qui fait trembler le pentagone!
une commission presidentielle chargée de trouver des economies de 100B$,aurait deja un projet scenario horror

entre autres proposition:
-reduire la flotte JSF a moitié et compenser par de nouveaux F16/18
-abandonner purement et simplement la version B

Prez Panel Wants $100B DoD Cut; Freeze Pay, Kill F-35B, EFV

Citation :

...
Here’s the programmatic hit list:

Slash the Air Force and Navy’s F-35 buy by half and buy F-16s and F/A-18s instead. “This option would buy half as many as the 369 planned for the Air Force and the 311 for the Navy, purchasing instead the current generation fighter aircraft, the Air Force F-16 aircraft at one-third of the cost and the Navy F/A– 18E/F at two-thirds of the cost of the F-35,” the panel’s co-chairmen argue.

Cancel the Marine’s F-35B. “In its recent defense review, the United Kingdom decided to cancel its buy of the Marine Corps version of the JSF. Further, the sophisticated capabilities of the JSF may be less relevant in current scenarios. Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Workman observed that greater use of guided missiles and mortar could end the forward operations that would be performed by the Marine Corps JSF because of vulnerability.93 Also, because the Marine Corps version of the JSF has been responsible for most of the technical, cost, and schedule problems, canceling it could accelerate delivery of the Air Force (F– 35A) and Navy (F-35C) versions,” they argue.
...

tout le projet ici
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/11/10/prez-panel-wants-100b-dod-cut/

malgres ca,ca doit etre voté par 14 des 18 de la commission,et passer encore le congress apres,ce qui n´est pas acquis d´avance avec les reps en controle..

F-35B flies with Block 1.0 software

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Lockheed Martin has flown an F-35 flight test aircraft with the third of five major blocks of software for the first time, a key step as the programme has struggled to deliver an estimated 11.6 million lines of code demanded by fusing the aircraft's advanced sensors and avionics.

The F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) variant flew on 5 November with Block 1.0 software installed on the BF-4 flight test asset, Lockheed announced on 15 November.

The 1.5hr sortie by BF-4 comes six months after the Block 1.0 code started flying on a surrogate platform - a Boeing 737 modified by BAE Systems into the F-35's cooperative avionics testbed (CATBird) aircraft.

Lockheed has estimated Block 1.0 accounts for 80% of the total software code, suggesting about 9 million lines of code are written so far. The F-22, by contrast, requires only 2.2 million lines of code.

The same software block also will be installed on the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant's AF-3 and the F-35C carrier variant's CF-3 flight test aircraft, Lockheed says.

But the step comes as the programme faces yet another potential delaty and cost overruns partly caused by software development delays.

As late as 2007, Lockheed had planned to start flight tests on the Block 1.0 software, which provides the first sensor fusion capability, in the third quarter of 2009, or more than a year ago.

Software problems emerged as one of the key drivers for the $2.5 billion programme restructuring announced by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates last February. Part of the cost overrun was invested in a new software integration line.

Since then, mechanical reliability failures have slowed flight tests on the STOVL variant.

Meanwhile, details of a sweeping new analysis of the programme -- called the technical baseline review - will be briefed on 22 November to the Defense Acquisition Board, a panel of top decision-makers on major acquisition programmes within the Pentagon. The review warns that the programme faces yet another delay, with a $2.5 to $5 billion cost overrun, according to leaked reports.

Flight International

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Lockheed Martin gets $3.4 billion contract for 31 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters initial production

The Pentagon announced yesterday that Lockheed Martin Corp., is being awarded a $3,485,385,767 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-09-C-0010).
This modification converts contract type for the efforts described below from a cost-plus-incentive-fee to a fixed-price-incentive (firm target) for the manufacture and delivery of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter low rate initial production Lot IV aircraft.
This modification provides for the procurement of 10 conventional take-off and landing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force; 16 short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps; one STOVL aircraft for the United Kingdom Royal Navy; and four carrier variant aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of associated ancillary mission equipment, flight test instrumentation, and manufacturing support equipment.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2013.

Contract funds in the amount of $21,773,633 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($1,099,960,361; 31.6 percent); the U.S. Marine Corps ($1,685,707,859; 48.4 percent); the U.S. Navy ($582,147,988; 16.6 percent); and the United Kingdom ($117,569,559; 3.4 percent).

defenseworld

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F-35 logs 500 flights

The F-35 test program is maintaining pace and has completed its 500th flight. The notable flight was achieved by the BF-04 STOVL variant on Thursday November 18 at NAS Patuxent River.

The three-hour sortie was mainly to evaluate avionics software.
Still only half way through November the program has reached its planned number of about 50 flights for the month. A total of 366 flights have been flown this year, well within reach of the 394 due by year's end.
Over 5,000 flights are planned by 2015 for all the three F-35 variants.

f-16.ne

Nouvel episode du JSF.
http://www.corlobe.tk/article22063.html

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LaBarge to Support Joint Strike Fighter Programme
LaBarge has won a contract from Moog to produce printed circuit card assemblies for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
The F-35, a next-generation strike aircraft weapon system, integrates advanced stealth technology into a highly agile, supersonic aircraft designed to provide the pilot with exceptional situational awareness and unmatched lethality and survivability.
Work under the contract is likely to start in March 2011 and continue through February 2012 at LaBarge's facility in the US.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

airforce-technology

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Pratt & Whitney Delivers First Production F135 Short Take Off Vertical Landing Engine

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. | Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first production F135 Short Take Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) engine for the F-35 Lightning II, a major milestone and clear demonstration that the F135 STOVL propulsion system has transitioned from development to production. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

“The F135 engine program accomplishments this year have been historical, and this first production STOVL delivery milestone demonstrates our commitment to fielding the most advanced military jet engine technology to the benefit of the war fighter,” said Bennett Croswell, vice president of F119/F135 Engine Programs for Pratt & Whitney. “We are particularly proud to be producing the most advanced propulsion systems ever built and that they will be used by the United States Marine Corp and our allies.”

The Pratt & Whitney F135 continues its steady progress through development testing and validation, into full production and sustainment. The F135 propulsion system has powered 509 flights and more than 740 flight test hours to date. The F135 has also completed more than 20,000 hours of testing - 3,600 test hours during the concept demonstration phase, 15,800 test hours during development and more than 700 hours powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program. The Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) / Carrier Variant (CV) engine received Initial Service Release (ISR) in February 2010 indicating that the engine has met the ISR requirements for safety, reliability, durability and performance, and that it is now cleared for use in the field. Pratt & Whitney has delivered all F135 flight test engines required for the program as well as 11 production engines, which includes the first STOVL F135 delivery. The STOVL F135 engine has completed all required testing and is on track to receive ISR certification before the end of the year.

“With both the CTOL and STOVL variant F135 engines in production and performing well in flight test, it is clear that the F135 has demonstrated and earned its position as the Department of Defense’s propulsion system of choice for the F-35 Lightning II,” Croswell said.

Pratt & Whitney, the only engine manufacturer producing fifth-generation propulsion systems, has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver this advanced fighter engine capability to the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy and our allies. The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth-generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that exclusively powers the F-22 with more than 375,000 engine hours. It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology demonstration programs.

The F135 propulsion system has proven through extensive ground and flight test experience that it can meet diverse aircraft requirements for armed forces around the world. The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine continues to be the only engine powering the successful Lockheed Martin F-35 flight test program.

defpro

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Wyle Awarded $318 Million, Five-Year Task Order to Support the JSF Program Office

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. | Wyle has been competitively awarded a $318 million five-year task order to provide engineering and integration support services to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program Office. Awarded by the General Services Administration's Federal Systems Integration and Management Center, the company will perform the work for the JSF F-35 Lightning II Program under the GSA Professional Engineering Services Schedule 871.

Specific tasks will include strategic planning for technology programs and activities, concept development and requirements analysis, system design, engineering and integration, test and evaluation, integrated logistics support, Foreign Military Sales, acquisition and life cycle management, all critical to the development of the F-35 and the mission of the program office.

"There is nothing more rewarding than being competitively selected to support the most exciting, most technologically advanced aircraft of tomorrow," said Donna Lowe, Wyle's vice president for tactical programs and the task order project manager. "Ultimately, it's ensuring that the warfighter is ready and able to complete their mission."

Wyle will continue assisting the JSF Program ensuring the aircraft manufacturing team meets government requirements and required timelines to successfully deploy the F-35 air system to the warfighter. Wyle's technical professionals, subcontractors and teaming partners will support program management of the next generation strike fighter's lifecycle, spanning development, test and evaluation, low rate and full rate production, and operations and sustainment.

The majority of the work will be performed in Arlington, Va. with field support at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; and Ft. Worth, Texas, where the F-35 air system is being developed and produced.

"JSF Program activity at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and other sites around the nation will become more intense over the next several years," said Brent Bennitt, president of Wyle's Aerospace Group.

"With more focus on the program's developmental flight test phase, an increase in flight test time before initial operational capability, and an increase in the number of aircraft devoted to the flight test effort, the complexity of testing a fifth generation aircraft is apparent. Wyle is committed to helping the JSF Program meet these complex challenges."

Subcontractors on the Wyle team are Dynamic Research, Inc; Ausley Associates, Inc.; Jahn-Corporation; Whitney, Bradley & Brown; General Dynamics, Information Technology; Science Applications International Corporation. Teaming partners are Decisioneering, LLC; First Principles, Inc.; PAL Services, Inc.; Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.; and ITT Corporation.

The F-35 Lightning II Program is a joint, multi-national program, and is the Department of Defense's focal point for defining affordable next generation strike aircraft weapon systems among the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and U.S. allies composed of eight cooperative international partners.

defpro

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Tenth F-35 achieves first flight



The tenth F-35 fighter to enter flight testing had its first flight on December 30th, 2010.
The aircraft, called AF-4, flew a successful flight piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill "Gigs" Gigliotti. The flight concluded the test missions of 2010 for the JSF program. 410 flights have been logged for the year against a plan of 394.

f-16