Lockheed Martin System Development and Demonstration (SDD) 2011 Results

Source: Lockheed Martin

Jan. 12, 2012 - The Lockheed Martin System Development and Demonstration (SDD) 2011 flight test program resulted in the completion of more test flights and test points than any year.

The 2011 flight test plan called for the accumulation of 872 flights and 6,622 test points by Dec. 31. For the year, the SDD program flew 972 flights and tallied 7,823 test points. The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant flew 474 flights and accomplished 3,600 test points. The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant accomplished 333 flights and 2,636 test points. The F-35C carrier variant (CV) flew 165 flights and tallied 1,587 test points. Along with this, the STOVL executed 268 vertical landings. The cumulative 2011 milestones were achieved through a combination of planned test flights and test points along with test flights and test points added throughout the year.

"The success of the flight test program is the result of a team of dedicated government and contractor professionals," said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin's F-35 program executive vice president and general manager. "The test team continues to gain momentum, and they will build upon this success for an even better 2012. I couldn't be prouder of the team."

The overall F-35 SDD flight test program plan calls for the verification of 59,585 test points through developmental test flights by Dec. 31, 2016. Through 2011, the flight test team has accomplished 12,728 test points or 21.4 percent of overall testing requirements.

"These achievements speak to the rapid maturation of the F-35 program and to our team's commitment to performing with excellence," said J.D. McFarlan, vice president of F-35 Test and Verification. "We will now turn toward 2012, expanding the flight envelope as we continue to demonstrate the F-35's excellent flight characteristics for all three variants."

Major flight test achievements in 2011 include:

• A major highlight for October was the completion of F-35B STOVL ship suitability testing aboard the USS WASP (LHD-1) off the coast of Virginia. The test began when BF-2 executed the first shipboard vertical landing on Oct. 3. The next day, BF-2 executed the first short takeoff from the WASP. During the third week of sea trials, BF-2 and BF-4 operated simultaneously on the ship. Combined, they accomplished 72 short takeoffs and 72 vertical landings during the three-week testing period.
• The mission systems test aircraft performed Block 1A and Block 1B software testing including demonstrating Communication Navigation and Identification (CNI) range and accuracy and integrated Electro-Optical Targeting System testing that included Tactical FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) and combat laser firing. The software also displayed imagery from the Distributed Aperture System on the Helmet Mounted Display. Further testing accomplished radar search and target tracking, Synthetic Aperture Radar Mapping, Electronic Warfare testing, and multi-sensor fusion of four sensors. In addition, baseline Radar Cross Section signature testing was accomplished on three mission system aircraft.
• On Nov. 18, CF-3, an F-35C test aircraft, conducted the first F-35 launch from the Navy's new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Testing the F-35C on EMALS marked the beginning of the process to integrate the carrier variant with the future carrier fleet aircraft launching system.
• The F-35B STOVL jets conducted 268 vertical landings in 2011 compared to 10 in 2010. F-35B aircraft also completed 395 short takeoffs this year.
• AF-1 achieved the F-35's maximum design limit speed of Mach 1.6 for the first time on Oct. 25.
• Jet Blast Deflector (JBD) testing was performed by F-35C carrier variant aircraft CF-2 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., from June 25 - July 8. CF-2 successfully completed this portion of tests required to ensure the F-35C is compatible aboard an aircraft carrier.
• AF-6 and AF-7 completed Maturity Flight testing of the training syllabus software at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., designed to simulate operating an F-35 without a mission control room.
• The F-35 program successfully performed aerial refueling testing with KC-135 and KC-10.

Boeing and Northrop Grumman: Contract from US Missile Defense

An integral element of the Global Ballistic Missile Defense System, GMD uses radars, other sensors, command-and-control facilities, communications terminals and a 20,000-mile fiber optic communications network.

 HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 30, 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and industry partner Northrop Grumman Corporation [NYSE: NOC] have received the development and sustainment contract (DSC) from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for future work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the United States' ballistic missile defense system.

"Today's award is the culmination of a two-year proposal process that brought together a broad industry group committed to delivering innovative solutions and a cost-effective approach to program management and execution," said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "We are privileged to have been partners with the Missile Defense Agency through development and deployment of the GMD system, and now with Northrop Grumman, we are honored to continue that partnership in this next phase of the program."

Under the DSC, Boeing will continue to lead the industry team for GMD development, integration, testing, operations and sustainment activities, building on the company's experience of supporting the Missile Defense Agency as prime contractor for the program since 2001. As strategic partner, Northrop Grumman will oversee the ground system elements, as well as provide key support in operations and sustainment, system engineering and system test.

"The DSC ushers in a new era for the GMD program, and our partnership with Boeing brings together the very best minds in the industry for this national security capability," said Wes Bush, chairman, CEO and president, Northrop Grumman. "By combining Northrop Grumman's 50-year experience and success on the nation's Minuteman ICBM program with Boeing's heritage GMD leadership, we provide the optimum mix of integrated development and sustainment capabilities for a system that demands nothing less."

The Boeing-led team currently operates and sustains the deployed GMD weapon system while developing and testing new technologies to provide increased reliability and to meet evolving customer needs and requirements. Northrop Grumman has been part of the team since 1998, responsible for designing and deploying the command-and-control systems that form the backbone of the GMD ground system.

"In selecting the Boeing and Northrop Grumman GMD team, the Missile Defense Agency retains the knowledge, skill and expertise of the world-class men and women who developed this one-of-a-kind system -- the only industry team capable of affordable innovation for GMD's future," said Norm Tew, Boeing vice president and program director of GMD. "We believe the government conducted a fair and open competition, making the right decision for the future of the program."

An integral element of the Global Ballistic Missile Defense System, GMD uses radars, other sensors, command-and-control facilities, communications terminals and a 20,000-mile fiber optic communications network. There are more than 20 operational interceptors at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and Fort Greely, Alaska, to defend the United States against long-range ballistic missile threats.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Boeing is the largest aerospace company in Alabama and one of the state's largest employers. Current company operations in Huntsville include the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program and other missile defense work, including the Standard Missile-3 Block IIB program, the Arrow system and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker, as well as support of Space Exploration Launch Systems, the International Space Station, Army Integrated Logistics, and engineering support for commercial and commercial-derivative airplanes.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 63,000 employees worldwide.