Wed, Jun 09, 2010
First JSF With Mission Systems Arrives At Navy Test Site
The first mission systems-equipped Lockheed Martin F-35
Lightning II test jet joined the fleet at Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, MD, Monday.
Piloted by F-35 Test Pilot Dave "Doc" Nelson, the short
takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B known as BF-4 became the
fourth F-35 to arrive and begin testing at the Naval Air Systems
Command site. The STOVL variant will be employed by the U.S. Marine
Corps, the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Italian Air
Force and Navy.
"This mission systems aircraft adds a new dimension to the F-35
flight testing under way at PAX River," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed
Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program
Integration. "Now, in addition to validating the aerodynamic
capabilities and flying qualities of these jets, we will have the
opportunity to confirm the performance of what we expect to be a
transcendent avionics capability – the most capable ever in a
fighter." A fifth F-35B, along with the first Navy carrier variant,
is expected to join the fleet later this year at Patuxent
River.
The F-35's avionics, or mission systems, enable the jet to
perform a wide variety of missions by providing the pilot with
unprecedented situational awareness – through the processing
and fusion of data from both on-board and off-board sources. The
F-35's next-generation sensor suite makes it possible to collect
vast amounts of information, and present the data on
state-of-the-art cockpit and helmet displays. This allows the pilot
to make faster and more effective tactical decisions and transfer
information to other aircraft and to maritime and ground
forces.
But all is still not well with at least one of the program's
international partners. Dutch Labour Party leader Job Cohen wants
the government to wait at least four years before deciding whether
to buy the Joint Strike Fighter. Mr Cohen says a decision is not
needed in the coming four years as the existing F-16s should last a
long time. He was speaking at an election gala in Amsterdam.
The Labour leader says the funds necessary to acquire the
expensive jets can be better used for other matters. Mr Cohen
first wants to study what the need for the JSF is and which fighter
jet can best replace the F-16.
Dutch parliamentary elections are being held Wednesday.
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