Still More Questions Than Answers?

OPINION Still More Questions than Answers? A year on from his first look at the Lockheed Martin are balanced and fact based, Software F-35F-35 programme, David Hamilton reviews the latest highlighting both positives as well Currently there are three planned as negatives. When viewed over Blocks of software development US Government report time DOT&E reports can be very that provide increments in mission instructive in giving an objective capabilities through to the end of the HE US Department of Defense’s public relations departments who overview of a given programme, System Design and Development T(DoD) Department of wish to promote their projects devoid of PR or political hype. (SDD) phase: Block 1(initial training Operational Test and Evaluation in a positive light. A particular As the recent F-35 report is some only) with software Blocks 1A and (DOT&E) issues an annual objection raised is that the DOT&E 29-pages long, I have limited my 1B; Block 2 (advanced training assessment of major military reports are historical – they cover assessment to three prominent and initial combat) with software programmes and the F-35 is a year between each October – and areas: software, mission systems Blocks 2A (advanced training only) always of particular interest, therefore are 'out of date' by the and airframe. Software, in and 2B (initial, limited combat given its importance to the UK time of publication in mid-January, particular, is a highly critical capability) and Block 3 (full combat) and other nations. These reports so companies claim they should aspect impacting all areas of the with software Blocks 3i and 3F. are by their very nature critical, be ignored and/or the negative programme due to the near nine- There will obviously be software detailed and highly technical, thus issues have since been resolved. million lines of code – compare blocks beyond Block 3F as future are prone to being dismissed by In my view these DOT&E reports that to the two million in the F-22. capabilities are added, but until

Below: A US Air Force F-35A Lightning II pilot prepares for a mission at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, last December. US Air Force/Senior Airman Christopher Callaway

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then 'regression' issues are adding to an already complex task and having a detrimental impact on development. In simple terms, regression means that a fix in one area can cause an error in another and therefore checks across the whole package must be made. With multiple software blocks running concurrently it is not surprising that software, despite manpower being thrown at the problem, is on the critical path (or worse) to meet the ambitious initial operating capability (IOC) dates announced in May 2013 of 2015 for the US Marine Corps and 2016 for the US Air Force. When one then adds in the ‘concurrency’

issue – aircraft production ongoing Above: F-35A Lightning IIs from the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, perform an aerial refuelling mission off the coast despite development being of north-west Florida. The 33rd Fighter Wing is a joint graduate ﬂ ying and maintenance training wing for international partner pilots and incomplete and modifications maintainers of the air force, marine and navy services in the US. US Air Force/Master Sgt Donald R Allen having to be retrofitted – the sheer points despite flying 302 test flights maintenance issues. However, for cracks have been discovered as complexity of the task and limited against the planned 286. Regression the F-35B in particular, weight will the test vehicles achieve around margins available to meet planned testing accounted for an additional be a critical aspect in achieving the one lifetime (8,000 hours) – fatigue development targets becomes 1,194 test points, thus highlighting mission goals set in the operational testing requires a demonstration clear. Given the programme’s the impact of this factor. requirements document (ORD). To of two lifetimes (16,000 hours) historic growth rate of 40%, if this Sensor fusion remains a concern stay within the critical ‘bring back’ before a failure. As the report is maintained then the IOC dates together with ongoing helmet, requirement (vertical recovery states: “All these discoveries will (2015 for the F-35B, 2016 for the distributed aperture system with two 1,000 lb (450kg) bombs require mitigation plans and may F-35A and 2018 for the F-35C) would (DAS), EOTS, radar, and data link and AIM-120 advanced medium include redesigning parts and appear to be already under threat, issues. For example, the current range air-to-air missiles) the F-35B additional weight”. Importantly, unless of course the required inability of the DAS to distinguish has already had to introduce a the report also criticises the mission capabilities are reduced. between the aircraft’s own flares lighter airframe – lower g, lighter lack of separate tracking of low and threat missiles makes the bulkheads, smaller stabilisers observability (LO) and non-LO Mission Systems warning system ineffective and and flaperons (with consequently repairs, which may be the cause As highlighted in the 2012 DOT&E reduces pilot situation awareness. smaller actuators). Even with of an increase in maintenance report, there were a number of Although individual fixes are these measures the margin for times compared with previous issues with the electro-optical promised within the next year, the weight growth is only some 0.16%. years. This, combined with targeting system (EOTS), radar resolution of sensor fusion concerns If not contained, vertical recovery problems with the autonomic fusion and helmet-mounted could prove more problematical. performance will be restricted logistics information system display system. Progress has been The certification to allow F-35A and could lead to alternative (ALIS), raise serious concerns made, however, the current report and F-35B production aircraft recovery modes having to be with the claimed low-cost highlights continuing and new to fly at night or instrument applied. The UK Royal Navy is maintainability of the F-35. issues across the mission systems. meteorological conditions (IMC) already looking at ship-borne Among major issues is that mission had not been released when rolling vertical landings (SRVL) as Conclusion system flight-test aircraft the report was published. a way around the problem. If this Another year of F-35 development achieved only 56% (955 out becomes a reality, one must ask (13 years in total), a fleet total of of 1,755) of the Airframe just why an airframe is flown with more than 10,000 flight hours and planned For any project, airframe weight a complicated short take-off and another DOT&E report highlighting test – if not contained – can lead to vertical landing (STOVL) system ongoing issues. Despite progress, airframe life, aerodynamic (lift fan, shaft, complex nozzle these issues question the viability performance, and 24 related doors, never mind a of the programme meeting the cost, and small weapons bay) if its capability recently announced IOC dates is not going to be fully utilised. and, in certain areas (mission Other issues with the systems and logistic support, for airframe concern example), raise real concerns as to fatigue testing the eventual operational viability where a of the F-35. An oft repeated phrase number throughout the report is “limited of margins remain”, highlighting the impact of the decision to produce aircraft in parallel with development – concurrency – and the overall impact of running concurrent/ multiple software standards – regression. No project is too big to fail – but partner nations, especially those without alternatives, afm must be getting anxious.

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26-27_Opinion_Apr_GP jg.indd 27 06/03/2014 14:58 INTERVIEW GROUP CAPTAIN HARVEY SMYTH F-35 Lightning II

P CAPT Smyth was Joint Combat in Iraq’s western desert, and was theatres including Op Deliberate GAircraft (JCA) Requirements appointed OBE in 2011 after his Force and Deny Flight over Bosnia; Manager from 2006 to 2008, working command of IV(AC) Squadron. Ops Bolton, Southern Watch on both sides of the Atlantic to and Telic in Iraq; Op Allied Force ensure the UK’s capability require- AFM: Can we start with a brief over Kosovo and Serbia, and Op ments were met. Subsequently, summary of your flying career? Herrick in Afghanistan. I converted from 2010 to 2013, he was the Gp Capt Smyth: I was born and to the Tornado GR4 in 2013. UK’s National Director based in educated in Co Armagh, Northern Washington DC – during this period Ireland, and joined the RAF via Could you give a brief history of he was at the forefront of bringing the RAF Sixth Form Scholarship the UK’s involvement in the Joint the first British F-35s into service Scheme in 1991. After completing Strike Fighter programme? and oversaw the start of pilot and training I flew the Harrier between The UK has been involved from Above: Gp Capt Harvey Smyth. Crown copyright/MoD engineer training for the Royal 1995 and 2010 – interspersed the very outset of the ‘concept’ Top: The F-35B BF-01 on the aft deck of the Navy and RAF. He was awarded the with two ground tours and Staff phase in the 1990s. During the USS Wasp prior to night testing on August Distinguished Flying Cross in 2003 College – and undertook combat ‘down select’ process in the early 14, 2013. From 2018, the UK F-35s will operate from HMS Queen Elizabeth. for his efforts during Scud-hunting missions from both land bases 2000s – which effectively was a Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe and close air support operations and aircraft carriers in multiple competition between Lockheed

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28-32_RAFF35_Apr_GP jg.indd 28 06/03/2014 15:07 INTERVIEW GROUP CAPTAIN HARVEY SMYTH F-35 Lightning II a quantum leap for the RAF Group Captain Harvey Smyth OBE DFC ADC MA RAF is today the Station Commander at RAF Marham in Norfolk, but previously he spent several years serving on the F-35 Lightning II project. Guy Warner talked to him about what F-35 means for UK forces

Martin [LM] and Boeing [a fly-off in 2013 – now it will be 2017. approximately 60 people integrated we have three pilots and over between the concept demonstra- across the JSF programme, 20 engineering personnel. Plus tors X-35 and X-32 respectively] – Describe the main aspects of all subject matter experts. we’re at Wright-Patterson AFB and the UK was also fully involved, both your F-35 involvement job and We currently have a UK footprint finally within Lockheed Martin’s from a programmatic perspective those of your team in the USA. at the JSF programme office factory in Dallas Fort Worth, and also with test pilots. Obviously, My HQ was within the JSF Washington DC and at US Marine Texas, where the jets are built. LM won the competition and programme office [JPO] in Washing- Corps HQ in the Pentagon. At the shortly after this, the UK Ministry ton DC. I worked directly to the US development test centre at NAS What stage is the programme at? of Defence [MoD] announced that three-star [ranking officer] who is Patuxent River we have one test The programme has approxi- it would be pursuing the F-35 as its the Programme Executive Officer pilot and upwards of 20 personnel mately three years to run to finish solution for Harrier replacement. (PEO) for the whole JSF enterprise. on the development and test System Design and Development In January 2001, the UK signed a From a UK perspective, I worked squadron, including engineering [SDD], effectively the test pilot memorandum of understanding directly to our overall programme personnel and QinetiQ experts. phase for both the air vehicle and with the US Department of Defense team leader, a one-star based We are also at the operational test the mission systems. However, worth $2 billion. At the time the at DE&S [Defence Equipment & centre at Edwards AFB, VMFAT-501 the programme will also conduct JSF System Design & Development Support] Abbey Wood near Bristol. and the USMC and UK training concurrent operational testing, (SDD) phase was due to finish At any one time I had a team of squadron at Eglin AFB, where which starts in earnest at

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28-32_RAFF35_Apr_GP jg.indd 29 06/03/2014 15:07 INTERVIEW GROUP CAPTAIN HARVEY SMYTH

Above: The UK’s fi rst F-35B, BK-01, fi rst fl ew on April 13, 2012 in the hands of Bill ‘Giggs’ Gigliotti, a Lockheed Martin test pilot. Lockheed Martin/David Drais

Edwards AFB towards the end of What are the unclassified Moreover, F-35’s vLO characteristics weapon carriage under the wings. 2014. It has also delivered aircraft capabilities of the F-35? afford high levels of survivability in Beyond the kinetic capability of to the first front line squadron The F-35 is a stealthy air system, what would generally be thought the F-35, its array of integrated, – VMFA-121 at Yuma, Arizona, able to operate across the complete of as non-permissive environ- cross-spectrum sensors brings the USMC’s first F-35B unit. The spectrum of warfare. It is the only ments, which in turn brings an a combat ISTAR capability not UK has taken delivery of its first tactical fighter in existence that unprecedented level of access to seen in any other fighter aircraft three aircraft, two of which are can autonomously create and hitherto unreachable targets. today. The fused picture from the designated for operational test to execute a full ‘kill chain’ – find, fix, The F-35 has been designed to AESA radar, EW system, EOTS and be conducted at Edwards, and the target, track, engage and assess counter, and where necessary DAS allows immediate and high third which is our first frontline jet – without the need for off-board engage, high-end, ‘double-digit’ fidelity bomb damage assessment and will be pooled with VFMAT-501 support. It has been designed from [the latest surface-to-air anti- to be completed post attack. at MCAS Beaufort in North Carolina. scratch to incorporate advanced aircraft ssytems] threats with Six infrared cameras mounted It is here that the UK will build up radar-absorbent composites, the ultimate aim of transforming within the fuselage provide a its first front line squadron [617 stealth ‘shaping’ and minimal non-permissive environments 360-degree field of view. The Squadron] alongside the USMC. infrared signature for enhanced into permissive ones – to be an ‘air primary purpose of the DAS is as low observable characteristics. dominance fighter’. The APG-81 a missile launch warning, but it The F-35 is known as a Other design criteria include AESA radar is key to this and is one is also highly effective at finding fifth-generation fighter – what fully integrated communications, of the ‘good news stories’ of the any ‘hot spots’ in the battlespace exactly does that mean? navigation and identification F-35 programme as it continues to and is particularly useful for The bottom line is this – a avionics; multi-sensor data outperform its baseline specifica- highlighting other aircraft when fifth-generation fighter takes all fusion for situational awareness; tion requirements. This affords a BVR. Moreover, the DAS view can be the qualities of a legacy stealth jam-resistant datalinks; glass stand-off capability for acquisition projected into the HMDS, thereby aircraft, such as the F-117, and cockpit and helmet-mounted and identification of tactical-sized rendering the aircraft fuselage integrates all the strengths of a displays; and integrated targets that is unrivalled by any ‘invisible’ to the pilot, giving a ‘look high-end fourth-generation agile electronic warfare components other tactical aircraft. Use of through the floor’ capability. fighter like Typhoon. It is basically (offensive and defensive). It will high fidelity synthetic aperture There is also the possibility for the best of both worlds, centred be able to operate in a contested radar mapping, ground moving much further growth in the ISTAR on a fully integrated, and fused, or non-permissive environment target indication [GMTI] technology F-35B BK-03 lands at Eglin AFB. Lockheed multi-spectral, mission-system into which a fourth-generation and automatic target recognition/ Martin/John E Wilson dominated cockpit. There are aircraft would not sensibly cueing [ATR/ATC] allows the only two fifth-generation aircraft enter. Moreover, F-35 possesses pilot to find, fix, target and track in the world – the F-22 and the onboard computing power that targets from very long range, in all F-35. A fifth-generation aircraft is a quantum leap ahead of its weathers, by day and night. The must be built from scratch and fourth-generation counterparts. radar is equally impressive in the from the inside out. You cannot Its capabilities will allow a new air-to-air environment, where the turn a legacy fourth-generation approach to airpower. The F-35 has F-35’s ability to achieve ‘first-look, aircraft into one, regardless of five major combat systems: active first-shot, first-kill’ during beyond how much money you have. electronically scanned array visual range [BVR] engagements [AESA] APG-81 radar, distributed is surpassed only by the F-22. How big a jump is this from aperture system [DAS], electro- Fitted with an internally mounted a fourth-generation aircraft optical targeting system [EOTS], electro-optical targeting system such as the Typhoon? electronic warfare [EW] system and [EOTS], similar to a Litening target- Effectively this is equivalent to the helmet-mounted display system ing pod, the F-35 can designate leap forward we have experienced [HMDS]. These are fully integrated and laser-guide its weapons. from Tornado and Harrier to and interact with each other to However, unlike legacy platforms, Typhoon – Lightning II will take provide an overall ‘joined-up’ its ‘laser pod’ and weapons load the UK into a whole new realm capability – the information from are housed inside the body of the of airpower, one within which each system fuses to present the aircraft, thereby maintaining its we are relative newcomers. This pilot with a singular unambiguous stealth characteristics throughout is the world of stealth, or more picture of the battlespace which the mission. It also provides appropriately low observability. is dynamically displayed to the long-range passive infrared Lightning II will afford the UK pilot in the cockpit, the F-35 has search and track in the air-to-air the opportunity to operate in a the unique ability of attaining high environment. Alternatively, in a contested environment – be that air fidelity situational awareness while permissive environment, external or surface – with much reduced risk. remaining ‘invisible’ to the threat. pylons can be fitted, affording extra

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The third UK F-35B was delivered to Eglin AFB in Florida for training of future RAF and Royal Navy pilots. US Air Force/Major Karen Roganov

capability of F-35, to the point as has already been proven with ‘information managers’ via distributed mission involving other where it could viably complement US Air Force mixed operations of high-end pilots. A crucial require- assets and simulated high-end a Rivet Joint or AWACS. The F-22 and F-15, the F-35 will play a ment is the ability to assimilate threats. Undoubtedly an F-35 marked difference being that it key role in multiplying the power of information quickly, alongside an pilot’s combat-ready check will be can do this while operating in a our fourth-generation air platforms in-depth technological understand- conducted in the simulator, which non-permissive environment. One by helping to overcome their ing of both the F-35 and everything will form a watershed in how of the biggest attributes of a fifth- deficiencies when facing the future it can interact with. It should be we train our aircrew. Culturally generation air system is its ability threat. Follow-on development borne in mind that the F-35 is a we – the aircrew world - will need to to act as a network node, not just plans are already in place to exploit highly classified air system – it will accept a shift towards equal ratios for the ‘air war’ but for the whole its enormous through-life growth not be operated in peacetime in its of live versus virtual flying training. three-dimensional battlespace. potential – for example, the USMC full ‘war mode’, meaning that its Air combat of the future will no is conducting studies to explore full stealth characteristics will not Would provision for a Weapons doubt render contemporary fighter the very real possibility of F-35 be utilised and the high-end ‘war Systems Officer have made the aircraft criticisms, such as power- developing an electronic attack modes’ of its sensors, including the F-35 a more capable system? to-weight ratio, weapons payload role, akin to, but more advanced APG-81, will not be employed. To An extra brain in the cockpit is and the utility of stealth, as less than, that of the EA-6B Prowler. that end the synthetic environment always a good thing – something relevant since the focus of future will become ever more important I have learned of late as I have warfare will be more on the joint How easy – or difficult – will for the F-35 pilot, as this is the only transitioned from the Harrier networked battlespace, and less on it be to train pilots to make way that they will be able to train to the Tornado. However, in the fighter aircraft acting individually. the most of the F-35? to its ‘full-up’ capability. No longer case of Lightning II, the whole air As a central network node for data Flying the F-35 is not overly will the simulator be a place to only system is built around single pilot sharing, the F-35 will be judged difficult – the air vehicle is designed practice emergency handling and operations and it is exception- on its ability to connect the joint to be easy to fly, affording the single-ship operations – it will be a ally good at it. Because of the environment and build situational pilot spare capacity to ‘fight’ with highly dynamic synthetic environ- phenomenal datalink system and awareness for all parties, from the the air system. Lightning II is ment where multi-ship tactics can the air system’s immense capabil- senior commander in the HQ to the transformational in that we now be developed and rehearsed, and ity to ‘data share’, both in-flight soldier on the front line. Moreover, need to populate it with specialist routinely integrated into a larger and off-board, there is more

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than one person in your cockpit test pilots and one front line pilot. And finally, as a Harrier man, effectively. The pilot receives input All have commented that the real how are you enjoying the Tornado? from multiple sources at all times, aircraft flies exactly the same I am thoroughly enjoying and he also inputs to them. So, as the simulator, which is great flying the Tornado GR4 – in some while there is only one person in news, since we intend to move ways it is very similar to Harrier, the cockpit, the reality is that there forward with a 50:50 live/synthetic and in others it is remarkably are many people in the loop. balance. Effectively pilots will different. At the end of the day, spend as much time flying the both aircraft specialise in the Would the F-35 have sim as they do the real aircraft. air-to-ground role, so ultimately given us greater capability the final effect is identical. I in recent campaigns, say Why is the F-35 important to have been pleasantly surprised Afghanistan or Libya? UK defence requirements? at how quickly I have adapted to The F-35 can conduct multiple A fifth-generation aircraft two-seat operations. Unlike the missions on its own – it does not future-proofs the UK’s airpower Harrier, the GR4 was designed always need external assistance. capabilities. The attributes of the from the outset to be operated Moreover, it can operate in a F-35 afford a reduction in risk, and under a two-person construct, non-permissive environment. exponentially increase our ability so you have to completely With this in mind, F-35 is a to employ effect from the air, embrace this in order to maximise force multiplier – if we had especially in contested airspace. the capability of the jet. had F-35 during recent ops, we Owning a fifth-generation capabil- I have been overwhelmed at how would have needed fewer in ity in itself has a deterrence effect. welcoming the Tornado Force theatre to get the job done. Moreover, operating an aircraft that Above: Wing Commander Jon Millington has been, bringing me into the from the RAF’s Air Warfare Centre chats to we have developed and tested jointly US Marine Corps pilot Lt Col Roger Hardy fold and getting me through my Can the F-35 replace both Harrier with our key ally and many others about the F-35B at Eglin. US Air Force/Major conversion course in record time. Karen Roganov and Tornado? Is it reasonable to say across Europe and beyond, allows Plus, I continue to be impressed we are now planning Apache/F-35/ for better interoperability of force How do you see this fitting in by the Tornado Force’s perfor- Typhoon as the replacement assets, should we find ourselves with your job at RAF Marham? mance on operations in Afghani- for Tornado F3/Sea Harrier/ in future coalition operations. The Secretary of State for Defence stan, highlighted recently by the Harrier GR9/Tornado GR4? announced in early 2013 that RAF fact that it won the ‘Millie’ for Best Yes, without doubt the F-35 What are the UK Introduction- Marham would be the future home Unit. I try to fly with the frontline can replace our legacy aircraft To-Service plans for the F-35? of the UK’s Lightning II Force. With squadrons once a week and get types – easily. Its capabilities As plans stand, 617 Squadron plans firmly in place to have the in the simulator once a fortnight and sustainment requirements will return to the UK in 2018 as a first jets arrive home from the – hopefully I can keep this routine far surpass those of both combat-capable unit. Between USA to RAF Marham in 2018, we going for my full tour, as every Harrier and Tornado fleets. then and now we will continue to are already getting our teeth stuck time I fly I learn something new. build our Lightning II Force in the into the infrastructure planning Beyond the flying, I feel extremely Have you flown the F-35 yourself USA hand-in-hand with the USMC, and redevelopment. Believe it or privileged to be in command of and what did you think of it? which also operates the F-35B. not, we are right on the timeline the RAF’s premier strategic strike I have not flown the F-35, but have Alongside this, we will remain to have this completed in order base – the ‘whole force’ approach flown the full motion simulator and intimately involved with the to support the arrival of the first to business here at Marham the mission rehearsal simulator F-35 test programme, both aircraft. The next couple of years is second to none, and it is an many, many times. We currently developmentally and operationally, will be critical to the establishment absolute joy to be at the helm have four pilots flying F-35 in the and with the programmatic of a Lightning II capability here at of such a fantastic station USA – one test pilot, two operational side of the whole enterprise. Marham. It is an exciting time. and exceptional team. afm “A fth-generation aircraft future-proofs the UK’s airpower capabilities. The attributes of the F-35 afford a reduction in risk, and exponentially increase our ability to employ effect from the air, especially in contested airspace”

The UK’s F-35Bs will use the STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing) method of operations when on the Royal Navy aircraft carriers. Lockheed Martin/Todd R McQueen

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28-32_RAFF35_Apr_GP jg.indd 32 06/03/2014 15:08 USS Wasp sea trials – phase 2 HE DECK landing trials of the F-35B a period of eld carrier landing practices at sea was very similar to that at Pax. From a on the USS Wasp last August on the centre eld ‘dummy deck’ at maintainer’s viewpoint, some things we learnt Tshowed the considerable Pax River. “We also brought the were how easy it is to manoeuvre the F-35B progress of the JSF programme. Wasp’s ight deck team to Pax so around a (relatively) small ight deck and how With HMS Queen Elizabeth now they could get used to the unique we can best do our job of launching, recovering largely built and system integration features of the F-35B – this involved and maintaining the F-35B at sea. As the UK and trials starting to progress, it safety training, directing, towing has never operated a stealthy aircraft before it will not be long before scheduled and general familiarisation with has been good to be involved with repairs to the sea trials start. the aircraft, as most of them had not low-observable coatings – these were as easy to During trials aboard the USS Wasp, been onboard for the rst set of trials,” do onboard as they are at Pax River. a number of Royal Navy air engineers added Lt Cdr Trewinnard-Boyle. “The US Navy has speci c trades that do chocks and technicians were involved in the 18-day The training ensured the technical and chaining of the aircraft [blue shirts] and deployment. Important lessons were learnt on and logistical requirements were robust for refuelling the aircraft [grapes], hence we took the ight deck, as well as in the hangar, courtesy embarking two aircraft and operating them at careful note of their processes, especially hot of the maintenance team headed by Lt Cdr Robin day and night for the 18-day trial period – this refuelling, as it will be UK squadron maintainers ‘RTB’ Trewinnard-Boyle. He has been working as involved spares pack-ups and tools as for any who do this in the future on HMS Queen Elizabeth.” the air engineering of cer on the F-35 Integrated normal squadron embarkation, but also included The landing spots on the USS Wasp were Test Force for more than two years and was the inert munitions covering the F-35B internal loads painted with a non-skid coating, known as maintenance lead for the embarkation planning. of GBU-12 (500lb /227kg) laser-guided bombs, Thermion, which helps protect the underlying The team carried out maintenance work on both GBU-32 (1,000lb/454kg) JDAM GPS-guided bombs steel from the thermal effects of the exhaust embarked US Marine Corps F-35Bs and also test and AIM-120 AMRAAMs. Tasks also involved during vertical landings. It is being looked at for loaded and unloaded dummy weapons in the ensuring that the lithium-ion batteries could be the ight decks of HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince internal bomb bays, just one of many rsts for the safely stored and charged onboard, in addition to of Wales and is directly relevant to preparations team. All the weapons will be carried inside the the safe storage of low-observable materials. for ‘ rst of class ying trials’ on HMS Queen aircraft, rather than slung on pylons beneath the “The principal aims of the trial aboard the Elizabeth, where trials will be repeated to wings as happened with the Harrier, so keeping USS Wasp were to expand the operational highlight differences on the much larger ight the integrity of the aircraft’s stealth capability. environment for the F-35B as far as possible, with deck with a tted ski jump. One consideration Lt Cdr Trewinnard-Boyle outlined the team and crosswinds, headwinds, tailwinds and cross will be the difference to the ight deck condi- its roles: “We currently have nine maintainers deck landings so that the operational USMC and tions experienced during launch and recovery – a mix of four navy and ve air force – at NAS UK pilots are able to y safely from, and to, the caused by the twin island design of the Queen Patuxent River [Pax River] working alongside the carrier class in the greatest range of conditions Elizabeth Class. US Marine Corps, US Navy and the contractor possible,” continued Lt Cdr Trewinnard-Boyle. “Having been the senior air engineer on workforce of Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, “The rst trials had already given the F-35B HMS Ark Royal until her decommissioning Northrop Grumman and Pratt & Whitney. Some clearances akin to that of the Harrier AV-8B, but immediately prior to me joining the F-35 team, it of the personnel have been working hands-on these trials pushed that further, with internal was a great feeling to be at the beginning of F-35B with the F-35 for about ve years and will form weapons and at night. For the maintainers this operating at day and night from one of its natural the core experience as the UK moves into the meant at times con guring the aircraft with environments – a ight deck,” concluded Lt Cdr operational test phase and stands up the rst operationally representative weapons loads and Trewinnard-Boyle. “It felt very comfortable being operational squadron alongside the US Marine also some more unusual ones, such as asym- back at sea, operating F-35B in close proximity Corps. The combined team at Pax River was metric with one weapon bay full and the other to Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawks and V-22 Osprey. set up as a precursor to the initial training of empty. For those of us ex-Sea Harrier and Joint Force maintainers at Eglin, from the very start of F-35B “During the detachment we were ying both Harrier personnel on the team it is also great testing, highlighting the critical importance of aircraft twice a day for the majority of the time, to be intimately involved with the regeneration the early UK involvement. The posts at Pax River which pushed us to keep the aircraft serviceable of xed-wing aviation for the Fleet Air Arm. continue to deliver early ‘heads-up’ on issues to and in the right con guration. The aircraft Exciting times lie ahead with continued testing the UK as the aircraft there are testing capabili- performed extremely well. Of course, on the at Pax River, including use of the centre eld ties, modi cations and software well ahead of morning the media arrived both aircraft were ski-jump ramp, another milestone on the way to their embodiment on the LRIP aircraft at Eglin and down, but they were repaired on board and making F-35B and HMS Queen Elizabeth a success.” Yuma.” BF-1 ew that afternoon after the media had During the 2013 trials aboard the USS Wasp the Training for the aircrew and maintainers prior departed! two embarked F-35Bs successfully completed to embarkation was focused on preparing the “With the trials in 2011 having been very suc- 95 vertical landings, 94 short-take offs, 19 night team for working from the Wasp’s deck through cessful we knew that maintaining the aircraft vertical landings and 84 ights.

"It felt very comfortable being back at sea, operating F-35B in close proximity to Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawks and V-22 Osprey"

The USS Wasp. Lockheed Martin

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34-39_F35Navy_Apr_GP.indd 39 04/03/2014 15:25 ROYAL NAVY F-35B LIGHTNING II

IN GREEK mythology a phoenix is a long-lived history from the Second World War to the power of the first rank.” bird that cyclically regenerates. Associated with Falklands conflict. It will, when com- The aircraft that 809 NAS will eventu- the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from missioned, be the oldest squadron ally operate is the most discussed and the ashes of its predecessor. The First Sea Lord, to operate the very latest in high- expensive projects ever undertaken Admiral Sir George Zambellas, at last year’s Royal tech stealth capability, beating 617 in the world’s defence industry. It United Services Institute (RUSI) maritime confer- Squadron by two years. is also among the most time-con- ence in London said: “I am delighted to announce The role of 809 NAS will be as a car- suming. Its initial inception in 1992 that the name of the second Lightning II squad- rier strike squadron, operating from resulted from the merger of the US ron, when it forms, will be 809 Naval Air Squadron floating sovereign territory – HMS Air Force’s Common Affordable Light- [NAS]. This squadron number is chosen to link with Queen Elizabeth – without the need for weight Fighter (CALF) and US Navy’s Joint and reflect the proud and distinguished history of political permission from another country, Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) projects. embarked carrier strike. The early naming of 809 providing the steel behind the UK’s foreign pol- The merged project continued under the JAST alongside the RAF’s 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squad- icy. In a recent RUSI article, a Foreign Office par- name until the engineering, manufactur- ron is a very visible demonstration of a liamentary aide, Mr Tobias Ellwood, stated his ing and development phase, during joint ambition, spirit of collaboration position on carrier strike: “If the UK needs a which time the project became and shared equity in the Joint Light- carrier capability then a minimum of two more commonly known ning Force.” The emblem of 809 NAS aircraft carriers are required in order as the Joint Strike depicts a phoenix rising. to have one permanently availa- Fighter (JSF). First formed in January 1941 with 12 Fairey ble. Running both carriers would In November 1995 Fulmars, 809 NAS went on to operate seven cement Britain’s position as a the UK became different aircraft types and carved out a proud global player with a military the only ‘Tier 1’

Right: RAF pilot Sqn Ldr Jim Schoﬁ eld makes a vertical landing aboard the USS Wasp in F-35B BF-01 on August 13, 2013. Lockheed Martin

Lewis Gaylard considers what F-35B will bring to the Royal Navy

34 #313 APRIL 2014 www.airforcesmonthly.com

34-39_F35Navy_Apr_GP.indd 34 04/03/2014 15:26 "Running both carriers would cement Britain’s position as a global player with a military power of the rst rank"

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partner when it signed a memorandum of under- The jetwash generated by the F-35B can be clearly seen as Sqn Ldr Schoﬁ eld standing (MoU) for $200 million – 10% of the con- positions the aircraft off the port side of cept demonstration phase – initially as a Sea Har- the USS Wasp during the second at-sea F-35 developmental test event. Lockheed rier FA2 replacement for 2012. Through research Martin and development by BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and other British companies, the UK has become inte- gral to the future success of the JSF. When the F-35B enters British service it is intended to be a some- what overdue replacement for the Sea Harrier F/A2 and Harrier GR9 fleets in aircraft carrier operations, and a possible further buy could replace the RAF Tornado GR4 fleet. The current link with the US Navy in regenerat- ing a UK carrier strike capability reflects the Royal Navy’s longstanding relationship in aircraft carrier operations and the close spirit of cooperation. The Queen Elizabeth Class and JSF programme reflect increased cooperation with the US Department of the Navy and an intent to work towards full interoperability and integrated operations in the early 2020s, aided by the aircraft commonality that 809 NAS and 617 Squadron will have with their US Marine Corps counterparts. In fact, once airborne, the aircraft combat systems will be common across all variants, allowing integrated operations from the outset. What will be more difficult is to oper-

"It is an exceptional aircraft to y and is extremely responsive. The large engine thrust, combined with the very latest y-by- wire ight control system, makes the F-35B a very simple aircraft to y"

36 #312 MARCH 2014 www.airforcesmonthly.com

34-39_F35Navy_Apr_GP.indd 36 04/03/2014 15:25 ate them with the same tactics – the Royal Navy is addressing this by sending prospective instructors as students to Top Gun. Early flight trials Lieutenant Commander Ian Tidball became the first operational Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA) pilot to ‘strap-on’ the F-35B when he succeeded Cdr Simon Hargreaves and Lt Cdr Peter Wilson, the two Royal Navy reservists who, in their ‘day jobs’ as test pilots, flew the F-35. The Lt Cdr made his maiden flight on April 10 last year from Eglin Air Force Base (AFB). He spent the majority of his early career flying the Sea Harrier F/ A2 and over recent years added more than 500 flying hours to his logbook during an exchange post- ing with the US Navy when he flew the Boeing F/A- 18 E/F Super Hornet. Relating his first experiences of flying the F-35B, he said: “It is an exceptional aircraft to fly and is extremely responsive. The large engine thrust, combined with the very latest fly- by-wire flight control system, makes the F-35B a very simple aircraft to fly. My background is with the Sea Harrier, which was a real ‘stick and rudder’ aircraft – a real pilot’s aeroplane – but, with the advanced flight systems in the F-35, it has signifi- cantly reduced the effort I have to spend actually flying the aircraft. I can now concentrate solely on operating the advanced sensors and mission systems, which allows me to employ the aircraft effectively in an operational situation.” During testing at Eglin last year, both Lt Cdr Tidball and an RAF Pilot, Sqn Ldr Frankie Buchler, became the first British pilots to fly a joint sortie in the F-35B. “It was a really satisfying feeling to be flying in formation alongside my RAF colleague in the first two British stealth fighters,” said Lt Cdr Tidball, “It really is a positive indication that the JSF programme is going somewhere when you’ve got British pilots flying British aircraft together. It is a testament to the hard work being put in by all the ground crew as well as us pilots.” New carriers, new concepts With the decision taken to revert to short take-off Above: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s ﬁ rst F-35B taxies in on November 16, 2012, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Marine and vertical landing (STOVL) operations, rather All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA) is the world’s ﬁ rst operational F-35 squadron. USMC/Lance Cpl William Waterstreet Below: BF-05 lands aboard the USS Wasp as BF-01 is strapped down on the deck. US Navy/Lt Michael J Fallon than the traditional ‘cat and trap’ (catapult and

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arrested landing), the innovative ‘Bedford array’ landing system will be a first in world maritime aviation. The Bedford array is a simplistic set up that incorporates a system of flashing lights down the centreline of the ship at the intended landing point. It will be stabilised to allow for the carrier’s heave and pitch at sea. In the F-35B cockpit, the pilot’s head-up display (HUD) will include a new ship-ref- erence velocity vector – the pilot will position the vector onto the Bedford array, allowing the aircraft to approach on the correct glide slope and enabling a safe landing onto the carrier. Using the new landing aid requires the F-35B pilot to perform a ship-borne rolling vertical landing (SRVL), which uses both the vertical thrust from the lift fan and forward lift from the wings. Unlike its Sea Harrier predecessor, where the aircraft would come into a steady hover on the port side of the ship and then side-slip across over the flight deck to perform a vertical landing, the F-35B will make a rolling landing and come to a stop using the disc brakes in the landing gear. This landing method does not require use of the arrestor wire and tail hook employed in conventional landings on a carrier. There are operational advantages with the SRVL – the F-35B will have a considerably larger ‘bring- Above: US Marine Corps pilots Major Russell Clift, in BF-02, and Lt Cdr Michael Burks (BF-04) fly in formation during back’ weapons load capability compared with the 2012. Lockheed Martin Harrier. In addition, wear on the lift fan and engine afterburner use on the horizontal tails. There are pended weapons (two 1,000lb (450kg) bombs and should be reduced (extending their operational plans to modify two F-35B test aircraft with new two AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles) to conduct a verti- life) along with lessened impact on the carrier’s coatings and temperature-sensing instrumenta- cal landing safely. The report comments: “Weight flight-deck surface caused by extreme heat from tion to collect more data. Non-instrumented test for the F-35B has varied little in 2013, increas- the jet exhaust during vertical landings. aircraft continue to operate with restrictions to the ing 36lb (17kg) from January through to October flight envelope and use of the afterburner. 2013. Current estimates are within 202lb (92kg) of On-going development concerns Weight management of the F-35B aircraft is criti- the not-to-exceed weight of 32,577lb (14,808kg) There have been many setbacks and areas of con- cal to meeting the Key Performance Parameters – the target weight of the aircraft in January 2015 cern over the course of the JSF programme. Esca- (KPP) in the Operational Requirements Document to meet specification requirements and ORD mis- lating cost is a constant topic for debate and in Jan- (ORD), including the vertical lift bring-back require- sion performance requirements. The small differ- uary the US Department of Defence (DoD) released, ment. This KPP requires the F-35B to fly an opera- ence between the current weight estimate and the through the Director, Operational Test Evaluation tionally representative profile and recover to the not-to-exceed weight allows for weight growth of (DOTE) department, its annual report on the proj- ship with the necessary fuel and balance of unex- 0.62% over the next year to meet technical specifi- ect (see Opinion, pages 26-27). cations in January 2015”. Managing weight growth The report is more scathing about the F-35B vari- with such small margins will continue to be a signifi- ant – the one the UK is buying – than the other two cant programme challenge. marques. It says “The F-35B fleet was grounded There have also been setbacks with the auxil- after the first British production aircraft, BK-1, expe- iary air inlet door, the lift fan driveshaft (the origi- rienced a fueldraulic line failure in the STOVL-unique nal design was inadequate due to shaft stretch swivel nozzle at Eglin AFB on January 16, 2013. The requirements to accommodate thermal growth), cause was determined to be a poor manufactur- tolerances and manoeuvre deflections. The first ing process used for the hoses, leading to crimp- redesign failed qualification testing, resulting in a ing dimensions being out of specification; the stop second redesign, which is now being undertaken. order was lifted nearly four weeks later on February It was discovered that the roll-post nozzle bay tem- 11, allowing all F-35B flights to resume.” The entire peratures exceeded current actuator capability, so F-35 fleet was grounded again on February 21 after insulation is needed to prevent possible actuator a crack was discovered in one of the third-stage, low- failure during vertical lift operations. Insulation is pressure turbine blades in the engine of F-35A AF-2, being positioned between the roll-post nozzle bay a flight sciences test aircraft at Edwards AFB, Califor- and the actuators in pre-low rate initial production nia. A rupture due to thermal creep (when deforma- (LRIP) 7 aircraft to allow unrestricted operations; tion of material forms from the accumulated expo- however, the actuators must be replaced at 1,000- sure to elevated temperatures at high-stress condi- hour intervals. New actuators will be installed in tions) was said to have caused the crack. The stop LRIP 7 aircraft and beyond, removing the insula- order was lifted one week later with the require- tion requirements and extending the service life to ment for additional inspections of the engines to 4,000 hours. ensure any effects of creep are within tolerances. The Royal Navy and RAF are due to start receiv- One F-35B test aircraft was modified with new ing frontline aircraft in 2016, operating from RAF skin coatings on the horizontal tail to address defi- Marham in Norfolk where land-based testing and ciencies in skin bonding under high-temperature training flights will continue through 2017. The first and high-airspeed conditions during extended test flight from HMS Queen Elizabeth is scheduled use of the afterburner necessary to achieve cer- for 2018. If these dates are to be met, there is still a tain test points. The new bonded coating failed very long way to go and much hard work ahead for during flight test when peeling occurred and the all those involved in bringing the F-35B Light- Above: POAET(AV) Cummings and Sqn Ldr Schofield on afm programme continues to investigate the effects of deck before a mission. ning II into full frontline service.

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34-39_F35Navy_Apr_GP.indd 38 04/03/2014 15:25 F-35 Why the UK needs it Officially the World's Number One Military Aviation Magazine |www.airforcesmonthly.com Military Aviation World's Magazine Officially One the Number April 2014 IIssuessue ##313313