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Desert Wings October 30, 2015
4 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
AF leaders testify on F-35 progress BOMBER, from 1
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WKH$LU)RUFH),QWHJUDWLRQ2I¿FHWHVWL¿HGRQWKH¿IWK main chute of the ejection seat opens, reducing the pilot’s of mature systems and existing technology while still provid-
neck loads.” ing desired capability.
generation aircraft’s development before a House Armed
Comparing the F-35 with the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s ma- With that said, agile acquisition processes have been built
Services subcommittee Oct. 21 on Capitol Hill. neuverability was another concern; however, both generals into the LRS-B development and production efforts to ensure
ZHUHFRQ¿GHQWLQWKH)SURJUDPDQGLWVFDSDELOLWLHV the Air Force delivers system capabilities for the best value.
Fielding a number of questions from Tactical Air and The program also effectively incentivizes industry to achieve
“The F-35s technology is designed to engage, shoot and cost, schedule and performance goals.
Land Forces Subcommittee representatives, Lt. Gen. Chris- kill its enemy from long distances, not necessarily in visual
WRSKHU%RJGDQWKH)SURJUDPH[HFXWLYHRI¿FHUDQG µGRJ¿JKWLQJ¶VLWXDWLRQV´+DUULJLDQVDLGLQKLVWHVWLPRQ\ The LRS-B is designed to have an open architecture al-
0DM*HQ-HIIUH\+DUULJLDQWKH),QWHJUDWLRQ2I¿FH “There have been numerous occasions where a four-ship of lowing integration of new technology and timely response
F-35s has engaged a four-ship of F-16s in simulated combat to future threats across the full range of military operations.
director, Headquarters Air Force, assured them the program scenarios, and the F-35s had a clear operational advantage This open architecture also provides the opportunity to retain
because of the sensors, weapons and stealth technology. competition across the life cycle of the program.
is making progress. The F-35 has been optimized for the current trends of war-
fare, where the enemy is engaged and defeated from long “The program acquisition strategy has carefully integrated
“The F-35 program today is executing well across the distances, but it will still be able to maneuver aggressively lessons learned from previous programs and considered all
when required to defeat and kill threats.” elements of life cycle costs in its design for affordability,”
entire spectrum of acquisition, to include development and LaPlante added. “We are primed to deliver this capability in
GHVLJQÀLJKWWHVWSURGXFWLRQ«DQGEXLOGLQJDJOREDOVXV- Overall, the F-35 program is on track to be delivered on WKHPRVWDIIRUGDEOHHI¿FLHQWZD\SRVVLEOH´
time and on cost, and Bogdan and Harrigian agree it’s a
tainment enterprise,” Bogdan said. “The program is at a capability needed for the joint force to be successful. Basing decisions and future program milestones for the
aircraft will take place over the next several years.
pivot point today, where we are moving from slow and “As with any big, complex program new discoveries,
challenges and obstacles will occur; however, we believe BRIEFS, from 3
steady progress to what I call a rapidly growing and ac- the combined government/industry team has the ability
to overcome current issues and future discoveries in or- 'HF7KHWRSWKUHHZLQQHUVZLOOEHQRWL¿HGWKHPRUQLQJ
celerating program.” der to successfully deliver the full F-35 capability to the of the tree lighting ceremony — there must be a representa-
2YHUDOOWKHSURJUDPKDVÀRZQPRUHWKDQKRXUV ZDU¿JKWHU´%RJGDQVDLG³7KH-RLQW3URJUDP2I¿FHZLOO tive from each of the top three at the ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
continue executing with integrity, discipline, transparency to accept their prize.
WRLQFOXGHWKHLQWHUQDWLRQDOMHWVDQGWKH86VHUYLFHVSHFL¿F and accountability, holding ourselves accountable for the
outcomes on this program. For more information, call the Oasis Community Center
variations. at 661-275-2687.
“We recognize the responsibility the program has been
The F-35 is a complex program made more challenging JLYHQWRSURYLGHWKHEDFNERQHRIWKH86DQGDOOLHG¿JKWHU Town hall meeting
capability with the F-35 for generations to come, and that
by the fact that it’s still in development, even as we are your sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters The next town hall meeting will be 5-7 p.m., Nov. 4 at
À\LQJLWLQWKH¿HOG5HFHQWWHVWVRQWKHVDIHHVFDSHV\VWHP may someday take this aircraft into harm’s way to defend the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Everyone in the
our freedom and way of life. It is a responsibility we never Edwards community is welcome to attend. Some topics will
revealed a problem that would result in lighter-weight pilots forget.” AFNS LQFOXGHXSFRPLQJHYHQWVFKDQJHVLQKRXUVDWWKH¿WQHVV
center, Corvias Housing information and base schools up-
possibly suffering major neck injury upon ejection. dates. There will also be briefings by the 412th Security
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“The program is working with our industry partners on
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pilots that same level of protection and safety as all other
F-35 pilots,” Bogdan said in his written testimony. “These
three improvements are: one, a reduced weight helmet that
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pilot ‘weight switch’ on the ejection seat that reduces the
opening shock of the parachute by slightly delaying the
parachute’s opening for lightweight pilots; and three, a head
support that will be sewn into the parachute risers that will
reduce the rearward head movement of the pilot when the
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