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F-35s TAKE FLIGHT INTO THE FUTURE [Officer, The](Officer, The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Lockheed Martin's Aircraft System Will Combat Evolving Threats As threats against global security continue to grow and evolve, the United States and its allies are preparing to counter them with the most advanced aircraft weapons system in the world today: Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. "As we see more and more threats being designed, built, and fielded around the world and proliferated in countries that are not friendly to us, this plane is designed to go up against those threats not just now, but in the future," said Joel Malone, Lockheed Martin's USAF business development lead. The F-35 is a fifth-generation - meaning it has stealth capabilities - supersonic fighter that is designed to perform multiple missions: air-to-air, air-to-ground, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and command and control. Its advantages include greater survivability, situational awareness, and effectiveness for warfighters. "Its multirole capabilities are also very important in today's budget environment," said Mr. Malone. Indeed, the F-35 introduces not only new capabilities but also improved readiness and lower support costs, eliminating the need to maintain multiple platforms with singular capabilities. It will fly alongside and eventually replace the aging legacy F-16, F/A-18, EA-6B, A-10, AV-8B, Harrier GR.7, Sea Harrier, AMX, and Tornado. It is intended to complement, not replace, the stealth F-22 Raptor, Mr. Malone said, and to protect against high-fidelity, high-threat weapons systems. The aircraft's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities also allow pilots to collect and distribute information that is critical to anti-terrorism efforts. The F-35 can share that information with allied aircraft, ships, and troops on the ground to help coordinate forces to combat terrorism. One Plane, Three Variants The F-35 has three variant designs that fulfill the servicespecific needs of three U.S. military forces, and can operate in virtually any battle situation. Variant A, for the Air Force, operates from conventional paved runways and is the only variant to carry an internal cannon. Variant B, for the Marine Corps, has short takeoff and vertical landing capability that enables it to operate from small ships and austere bases near front-line combat areas. Variant C, the Navy's version, is designed for short takeoff and landing on aircraft carriers. Its structure and landing gear are built to handle the stress of catapult launches and arrested recoveries, and the aircraft has larger wings and control surfaces for the precision handling needed for final approach to the ship. Eighty percent of the F-35's structure and avionics is the same across each variant, and all three are stealthy - with very low observable capability - which is critical in a threat environment. "Basically, you only have to design, develop, and then build and sustain one airplane, instead of doing all that work for three to five platforms, as in the past," Mr. Malone said. Congress and the Department of Defense looked at all its programs in the early 1990s and decided to replace them with a more affordable solution- one platform with multiple variants and multirole capabilities - that would stretch limited funds, he added. "That was the original proposition, the value-added proposition for the aircraft." Building Now for Future Threats One of Lockheed Martin's challenges with the Joint Strike Program is to deliver a fully combat-capable aircraft with all three variants to perform what the company calls the strategic SEAD/DEAD mission - suppression of enemy air defenses and destruction of enemy air defenses. "That is a very challenging mission against today's double-digit, surface-to-air missile threats. They are high-fidelity threats that are definitely challenging to warfighters," Mr. Malone said. "So when we complete testing of this airplane and we deliver full operational capability by the 2017-2018 time frame, it's going to be a very capable system against the threats that are out there." The F-35's manufacturing process and systems are designed to accommodate new technologies that will address future threats as well as established ones. Software improvements are made through a planned block upgrade program that provides additional capabilities to go against threats or technologies that are not yet understood. "It is much different than how legacy systems have been modernized over time," Mr. Malone said. Hardware and weapons can be added to existing systems as well. "It's very important in a new system like this to be able to accept those challenges and be able to move forward to the next level," Mr. Malone said. "It has growth potential." Angle of Attack Provides Significant Advantage Lockheed Martin concurrently produced and tested initial low-rate production F-35s - a practice that raised some controversy over the potential costs of refitting aircraft to correct problems after testing. However, making "discoveries" is all part of the development process of the newly designed system, and such course correction is to be planned for and expected, Mr. Malone said. The cost of producing airplanes now has fallen 53 percent below the cost of producing the first two. "We know that we'll have an additional learning curve as we go forward over the next two to three years, but we'll see the cost come down to the point where we'll be able to deliver this airplane in the $67 to $70 million cost range, which is comparable, with its greater capabilities, to all the airplanes that are still in production in fourth-generation design." All three variants are being produced on the same production line. The A variant is the furthest along, with the most sorties and test flights. Its maiden flight was in 2006; 23 have been delivered as of February 2013. The variant, combining hover capability with stealth, has been the most challenging, Mr. Malone said. Its maiden flight with conventional takeoff and landing was in 2008, but its hover landing wasn't tested until 2010. Twenty-four have been delivered. Only four C variant aircraft have been delivered so far. Its maiden flight was in 2010, and the first production airplane flew its first sortie in February. Lockheed Martin delivered 30 airplanes in 2012, up from 13 the year before, and expects to produce 180 to 200 a year once full-rate production is approved. During flight tests by Lockheed and military pilots, all three variants reached Mach 1.6 at maximum gravitational force. The A variant has been flown at slow air speed at a 75 degree angle of attack, far higher than the 50 degrees expected of regular pilots. "I flew for 26 years, and the maximum F-16 angle of attack was 26 to 28 degrees," Mr. Malone said. "This airplane, very early in development, has flown to the design requirement of 50 degrees and then again up to 75 degrees. That's very significant. When you can fly a very high angle of attack at slow air speed, you have a significant advantage over any adversary that is out there." The end result of the loint Strike Fighter program will be greater capability for warfighters using a more efficient solution. "All of this is toward delivering capability that is lethal, survivable, sustainable/integral for the life of the aircraft, and affordable for the entire time it's going to be used for its 25- to 30-year life cycle," Mr. Malone said. "Our intent is to make the aircraft system affordable, and we think we're moving toward that." Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production, and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, F-117, C-5, C-130 & 130J, P-3, S-3, and U-2. (www.lockheedmartin.com) A FOUR-SHIP OF F-35A LIGHTNING lis RETURNS TO EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLA., AFTER A SORTIE FEB. 1, 2013. PILOTS WITH THE 33RD FIGHTER WING BEGAN FLYING THE FORMATION FOR THE FIRST TIME THE WEEK BEFORE. (U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/Capt EDWARD SCHMITT) TWO F-35C LIGHTNING II CARRIER VARIANT TEST AIRCRAFT REFUEL TOGETHER WITH A LOCKHEED MARTIN KC-130 HERCULES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SKY ABOVE PATUXENT RIVER, MD., IN JANUARY 2013. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LOCKHEED MARTIN) Daimler Trucks North America provides a full line of Freightliner and Western Star transportation to the U.S. government: military trucks, AAFES vehicles, and GSA medium- and heavy-duty trucks. DTNA currently provides the M915A5 6x4 line haul tractor, the M916A3 6x6 light equipment transporter, and the M917A2 6x6 20T dump truck to the U.S. Army. (www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com/govt/) Daimlers Gastonio Plant Receives Notional Recognition Out of 7,000 companies across the country that hire hire veterans or members of the reserves, the Daimler Trucks *ucks North America Gastonia Components and Logistics Plant Plant was one of 40 recognized this year for its exceptional support jport of Navy Reservists. Representatives from the 40 companies were invited vited to Washington, D.C., to take part in a full day's activities vities specially planned in their honor. The awards were presented ;nted to them at a luncheon by VADM Robin R. Braun, chief of ief of Navy Reserve. The Gastonia plant employs approximately 126 veterans or ns or members of the military reserves , representing more than 10 percent of its workforce. Employees are given time off while *vhile on official Guard and Reserve duty but also are guaranteed iteed to continue receiving their normal base pay for up to 15 days days through a program that supplements their Reservist and and National Guard pay. The national recognition comes on the heels of local local recognition received earlier in the year by the North Carolina olina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve serve (ESGR). The ESGR awarded the plant its "Above and Beyond" ond" Award last March in recognition of the company's outstanding iding support of employees who are members of the Reserves and National Guard. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions, and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons, (www.oshkoshdefense.com) Oshkosh Defense Unveils Its L-ATV Utility Variant Oshkosh Defense has unveiled its Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV) utility variant for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The L-ATV utility variant fulfills the JLTV requirement for a two-seat cargo vehicle, while the L-ATV base variant meets the requirement for a four-seat multipurpose vehicle. Both Oshkosh L-ATV variants leverage a common crew protection system, advanced automotive systems, and the patented Oshkosh TAK-4Í(TM) intelligent independent suspension system to deliver unprecedented levels of protection and off-road performance in a light vehicle. The Oshkosh L-ATV utility variant is designed to provide mobility for loads such as containers, pallets, and break bulk cargo in a wide range of operating environments and threat levels. In addition to hauling cargo, the L-ATV utility variant can be outfitted as a shelter carrier to carry standard shelters for communications systems, on-board electronics, and other functions. The vehicle can transport two passengers and has a payload capacity of more than 5,100 pounds. Oshkosh successfully completed its JLTV design understanding review with the government and is on schedule to deliver 22 JLTV prototypes this summer under the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development contract. Northrop Grumman Corporation supports the Air Force Reserve with state-of-the-art products such as LITENING AT for precision targeting on the F-16, A-10, and B-52; APN-241 radars for the C-130s; V-9 radars for the F-16s; Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures for the C-130s, C-5s, and C-17s; and Joint Threat Emitters for Training. Northrop Grumman ... defining the future! (www.northropgrumman.com) Northrop Grumman to Begin Next Phase of Modernizing B-2 Defensive Systems Northrop Grumman will help drive down costs and speed the availability of new hardware and software upgrades for the B-2 stealth bomber under a recently awarded contract from the U.S. Air Force. The contract covers Technology Development (TD) Phase 2 of a multiyear effort by Northrop Grumman to modernize the B-2's Defensive Management System (DMS). TD Phase 2 is expected to last approximately three years. DMS is an electronic warfare system that includes various antennae and display processors. Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2, the flagship of the nation's long-range strike arsenal. Northrop Grumman serves as the B-2 system integrator and developer of the architecture that determines how the aircraft responds to threat environments. In this role, the company will integrate all-new DMS hardware and requisite software onto the jet. The B-2 is the only long-range, large-payload U.S. aircraft that can penetrate deeply into access-denied airspace. It can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours. PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) offers a suite of award-winning financial products including mortgages, credit cards, automobile loans, checking/savings accounts, and other personal loans. PenFed has become best known for its low rates and innovative financial products. PenFed serves more than 1 million members, and its core membership includes Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and their family members, and countless other military and defense organizations, (www. penfed.org) PenFed Foundation to Host Night of Heroes Gala on May 23 The PenFed Foundation is sponsoring a fundraising Night of Heroes Gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 23. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner and awards program that will conclude at 9 p.m. Corporate, political, and military guests; wounded warriors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; and residents from the Armed Forces Retirement Home will be in attendance. PenFed Foundation's annual gala provides the financial support to help meet the unmet needs of veterans and the wounded men and women of the armed forces. Sponsors will receive a benefits package that includes ad placement in the printed program, recognition in the video to be shown the night of the event and, depending on the level of involvement, recognition in a special Washington Post advertisement. For information, visit www.pentagonfoundation.org. USAA provides insurance, banking, investment, and retirement products and services to 8.6 million members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being, and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military - and their eligible family members, (www.usaa.com) Raytheon Company is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security, and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications, and intelligence systems, as well as mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide. (www.raytheon.com) The Boeing Company is the world's largest aerospace company, with leading products and services in commercial and military aircraft and space and communications. Boeing military products include fighters, bombers, tankers, transports, and helicopters, along with missiles, homeland security, advanced information, communications, and space systems. Military aerospace support also provides maintenance and upgrades to all these systems. Boeing products are in use in 145 countries, (www.boeing.com) Booz Allen Hamilton, a global strategy and technology consulting firm, works with clients to deliver results that endure. Booz Allen provides services to major international corporations and government clients around the world. Functional areas of expertise include strategy, organization and change leadership, operations, information technology, and technology management. (www.boozallen.com) Delta Dental of California has partnered with Department of Defense since 1998 to administer the Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). The TRDP is the only voluntary group dental benefits plan authorized by the U.S. government for uniformed services retirees and their families, including gray-area retirees. The TRDP provides comprehensive coverage to more than 1.1 million enrollees worldwide, (www.trdp.org) A-Team Solutions, LLC (ATS) is an awardwinning, privately held, SBA 8(a) certified and verified service disabled veteran-owned (SDVO) business. Founded in 2004, ATS provides professional solutions in the areas of missionoriented business integrated services (MOBIS), information technology (IT), and staffing. A2W - Advocacy to Win - is a team of thirdparty advocacy experts who have worked on successful legislative and regulatory fights in Washington, D.C., and all 50 states. The A2W team has had success in supporting the B-2 stealth bomber, National Missile Defense and the Stryker armored personnel vehicle and other programs with effective third-party advocacy. We are proud to support ROA. (www.A-2-W.com) DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., is a leading supplier of integrated products, services, and support to military forces, intelligence agencies, and prime contractors worldwide. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica S.p.A., which employs more than 73,000 people worldwide. (www.drs.com) Humana Military Healthcare Services is a Department of Defense contractor for the administration of the Tricare program in the South Region of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Humana Military's mission is to work collaboratively with its DoD partners in the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, accessible health care services to the military population Humana serves. (www.humana-military.com) BY JEANNE KOUHESTANI * ASSOCIATE EDITOR (c) 2013 Reserve Officers Association |