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8 October 23, 2015 News BULLSEYE
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Air Force sets weight restrictions for F-35 pilots
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs models of the F-35 are per the plan laid out
from the beginning of the program. The in-
WASHINGTON — Air Force leaders re- Lockheed Martin photo tent of concurrency is to get weapon systems
cently made a decision to restrict pilots weigh- to the warfighter as quickly as possible and
ing less than 136 pounds from flying the F-35A The F-35 Lightning II is still in the development phase, even as it’s being delivered to the strengthenmanufacturing and supply chains.
Lightning II due to safety concerns about the field and readied for combat operations. As engineers, operators and maintainers discover Several agencies are dedicated to solving the
ejection seat in a portion of the flight envelope. issues with the aircraft, corrections and fixes are made to current and future aircraft. issue. The F-35 Joint Program Office is work-
Concurrent testing and production of all models of the F-35 are per the plan laid out from ing in concert with the contractors to explore
The manufacturer of the seat has been the beginning of the program. The intent of concurrency is to get weapon systems to possible options to fix the ejection seat issue.
conducting tests to ensure the escape system the warfighter as quickly as possible and strengthen manufacturing and supply chains.
works reliably and safely in all planned con- “While the F-35 is a program in develop-
ditions. In a recent test, analysis identified an of an event occurring requiring ejection from ensure the ejection seat is tested to meet our ment, safety is always at the forefront and a
unacceptable risk of neck injury during para- the aircraft and pilot weight considerations, specifications and weight requirements. We built in expectation,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Har-
chute deployment/opening for lighter-weight the airworthiness authorities recommended are going to ensure this gets done right.” rigian, the director of the F-35 Integration
pilots at low-speed conditions. The require- and the Air Force has accepted continuation Office. “As issues are discovered, the Joint
ment is for the seat to be certified for any pilot of flight for pilots falling within the 136 to 165 Air Force headquarters and wing leader- Program Office immediately works with the
weighing between 103 and 245 pounds. An pound range. No ejection system is without ship took immediate action to inform and manufacturer to take action and get fixes in
unacceptable level of risk was discovered for risk. The Air Force continues to work with the ensure the safety of the pilots, to address place.”
pilots weighing less than 136 pounds. F-35 Joint Program Office to ensure the F-35 concerns, and ensure the manufacturer
system meets this requirement. meets requirements for the seat. The F-35 is The Air Force continues to work to identify
Air Force leaders decided that as an interim still in a development phase. As discoveries any potential issues to ensure the best possible
solution, no pilot less than 136 pounds will be “We expect the manufacturer to find and are made, fixes will occur, according to Air capability is delivered to the warfighter.
allowed to fly the aircraft until the problem is implement a solution,” said Secretary of the Force officials.
resolved. As a result, one pilot was impacted. Air Force Deborah Lee James. “We must “The Airmen who maintain, launch, and
Concurrent testing and production of all fly these jets every day are doing tremendous
There is also an elevated level of risk for work,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark
pilots between 136 and 165 pounds. While the A. Welsh III. “Because of their hard work and
probability of an ejection in this slow speed long days in the training classrooms, briefing
regime remains very low, estimated at one in rooms, the back shops and on the flightline, we
100,000 flight hours, the risk of a critical injury expect to achieve initial operational capability
in that circumstance is currently higher than in 2016. However, we won’t cut corners. The
legacy fighter ejection seats. The Air Force has weight restriction is an interim fix and the
accepted risk of similar magnitude in previous expectation is for industry to reach a solution
ejection seats. Based on the remote probability on the ejection seat as quickly as possible.”
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