The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has completed the nearly 12-year System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the program.
The final SDD test flight was conducted on April 11 at Naval Air Station Patuxent (PAX) River by F-35C development jet CF-2 which completed a loads data mission while carrying external 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles.
“Completing F-35 SDD flight test is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the joint government and industry team,” F-35 Program Executive Officer Vice Admiral Mat Winter said in a statement.
Since the first production representative F-35 AA-1 flew in 2006, the program has conducted 9,200 flights over more than 17,000 flight hours, and has completed more than 65,000 test points. The test fleet comprised all three variants from the US, UK and The Netherlands, and these were based at Edwards AFB in California, and at Pax River near Washington DC.
The completion of SDD sees the Block 3F operational flight program software load released for operational test and evaluation (OT&E), and should clear the way for the approval of full rate production.
“The F-35 flight test program represents the most comprehensive, rigorous and the safest developmental flight test program in aviation history,” said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program.
“The joint government and industry team demonstrated exceptional collaboration and expertise, and the results have given the men and women who fly the F-35 great confidence in its transformational capability.”
The JSF program has suffered from its share of development issues throughout the SDD process which has seen service entry for US and partner nations delayed by up to five years, but to-date no aircraft has been lost during development.
Program critics have often pointed to the concurrent process of SDD being ongoing while low-rate production was underway as contributing to the delays. This concurrency has also resulted in more than a hundred early production aircraft requiring structural fixes and other upgrades, including Australia’s first two F-35As which were produced in low rate initial production (LRIP) lot 6 and recently completed their rework at Hill AFB in Utah.
Flight testing of the F-35 will continue throughout the type’s expected 40+ year service life as new software loads, hardware refreshes, weapons and other enhancements and capabilities are added to the aircraft.
F-35 program completes design and development phase
Did you know that Australian Aviation Magazine comes digitally? Subscribe to Australian Aviation’s digital magazine for just $59.95 a year! Our app is available on mobile, tablet and PC devices! Subscribe now at australianaviation.com.au.
Air Force 100 - Centenary of Air Force galleries
Go deep into our image archives as we commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Subcribe to the free Australian Aviation daily bulletin to access never seen before photos.
F-35
Loyal Wingman
Spitfire
Wedgetail
Bell Iroqouis
Poseidon
Growler
Pilatus PC-21
Lockheed Hudson
P-3 Orion
GAF English Electric
CAC Mustang
PAC CT4 Airtrainer
CAC Boomerang
CA-25 Winjeel
FA-18 Super Hornet
C-17A Globemaster III
Gloster Meteor
Hawk 127
KC- 30A
King Air
F-111
Sabre
Spartan
The Vampire
Pilatus PC-9
Mirage III
Caribou
C-130 Hercules
F/A-18A/B
21 Comments
Leave a Comment
Tomcat Terry
says:Ok now that’s all complete, next the DEW’s, hypersonic missiles and remote mini swarming drone deployment pods.
That’ll make this aircraft perfect for the RAAF 🙂
Engow
says:Two planes, and do we have the fuel?
Paul
says:Starting to track very well. It’s an exciting time now for the RAAF and they have deserved it. LM should be proud of themselves. Lookout Russia and Cina?
Roger
says:Not stealth with the external load
Scott Morris
says:Roger, Stealth is for first one to two days of war. after that if you dont have air dominance with this beast then youve just wasted a whole lot of tax payer money.
Paul
says:Engle, what do you mean, do we have enough fuel?
John
says:Scott
The JSF-35 is not a fighter aircraft.
It’s a ground support aircraft.
By the time the JSF-35 goes into action …… and thats years away …… invasion forces will be on the ground and they will have air superiority as well as naval superiority.
http://warisboring.com/theres-still-no-finish-line-in-sight-for-the-f-35-program/
Mick C
says:Scott
There is one nation only that could maintain Air and Sea superiority over the Continent of Australia and that is the USA, no one else has the Logistical capability to maintain a force thousands of Miles from home.
The F35 is only a ground support Aircraft, what a load of Codswallop. It has the full capability of both Air to Air and LR Strike using both LR AAM and stand off weapons
Richard James
says:Is there anything the F-35 can do well ?
So far we an aircraft, that is a Failure at almost every thing is was designed to do, except maybe a Christmas
Tree decoration.
Or can it do well in order things we are not actually being told about ?
What are the actual pluses for the F-35 ? can any one tell me please ?
John
says:Mick C
With a range of only 2,000 klms where would the F35 use its air to air missiles ?
The real “codswallop” is the F-35s ability to carry a substantial load of weapons before it loses it stealth capability.
$17 billion (and counting) flushed down the toilet.
Harry
says:Just so its understood: the ‘development and demonstration’ phase, after 11 years, has been announced as finished. Now it “will now move into operational test and evaluation conducted by the Pentagon’s independent testing office” – the DOT&E. Thats were they, the DOT&E, test the plane to combat conditions. This is the organisation that has been scathing of the F-35 development over the years and recently highlighted 200+ significant issues with the F-35. The F-35 cannot enter FRP until the DOT&E gives it the OK. What I am trying to say? This is just this end of the beginning, here is to the F-35 – may all our dreams come true – no, seriously, I hope it works
jasonp
says:Yeah, because what the hell would the experts in the air forces and navies of the US and 11 other countries know? Certainly not more than the know-alls on this page, surely!
Grumpy
says:@ jasonp
well said.
John Cox
says:To all the armchair experts this old man remembers the same negative comments on the F111 and boy did it prove them wrong.
Paul
says:John Cox, the F-111 is a different plane than the JSF. They look different don’t you think so?
Raymond
says:Paul, John Cox’s point is that the *concept* is the same. Or that history is repeating itself. Of course the aircraft themeselves are different! Surely that makes sense?
Paul
says:Raymond, I know what point he is getting at but I am sick and tired of people comparing the 111 to the 35! If you have studied PROPERLY the 2 projects, they are really quite different. The JSF has gone through the most rigorous testing of any jet in history, the pig didn’t!!!!!!!! Do you get what I mean now!
TwinTiger
says:I certainly like the look of Lightning II in ‘dirty’ format complete with wing pylons and missiles – it makes the aircraft considerably meaner (even though it appears to be the F-35C).
Following an initial wave of ‘clean’ Lightning IIs on day 1 and 2 gaining air superiority, these network linked and loaded lads following up thereafter would make a strong statement. Perhaps the Rhino’s future will indeed be seriously under a cloud during the early 2020’s when the RAAF are to review their fast jet fleet.
Raymond
says:Paul, if you have PROPERLY studied the F-35 then you would realise that John Cox’s statement is correct.
Paul
says:Raymond, how many hours of flying and testing and everything else they have done. Can you please provide the photos, hrs of flying and testing on ALL points of the program please? Then we will compare it with the 35s rigorous testing. I bet you every dollar I have and you will see the difference, because I’ve already gone through it. Take your time to get back to me. Cheers!
"Dee Thom
says:To clear up some of the above comments, may I suggest you google search the below site.
“Operational Assessment of the F-35A”.
It is written by John Venable of the American Heritage Foundation.
Cheers Dee.