Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 56
Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base California www.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase
Aug. 26, 2016
F-35 surges forward with record-breaking weapons tests By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Test pilot Scott McLaren launches an AIM-9X airto-air missile during weapons surge testing. The recent surge resulted in many firsts, including the first air-to-air kill of a drone for the F-35. (Photo by Jonathon Case/Lockheed Martin)
The F-35 Integrated Test Force here recently completed 25 missions comprised of 12 Weapons Delivery Accuracy and 13 weapon separation tests as part of a month-long weapons firing test surge. Historically, WDAs take place once a month given the myriad of coordination required. The highest number previously accomplished in a month was three in November of 2014 during block 2B software testing. Maj. Charles Trickey, interim director of operations for the 461st Flight Test Squadron, flew the final mission of the surge Aug. 17. The mission was completed at White Sands, where the F-35s shot two Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles at a QF-4 Drone. “Some of these WDAs were particularly challenging events,” Trickey said. He said the final mission was actually the fourth attempt to complete this test. “It was really cool to see the satisfaction of the team, and to get that feeling of accomplishment after doing something that challenging.” All told, the ITF deployed 30 weapons in 31 days, which included 12 WDAs, and 13 separa-
tions, according to Trickey. “30 separations in 31days; that’s never been done before in flight test,” said Capt. Brett Tillman, a flight test engineer with the 461st. “The fact that we could get everything together to do that number of separations in that few days is pretty amazing.” These successful test events — performed using the F-35’s newest block 3F software — demonstrated the accuracy of the aircraft. Five of the test events featured dropping multiple weapons. The effort for this surge wasn’t limited to the F-35 Test Team. There were a number of units outside the ITF that put in extra effort and time to make the surge successful, including Edwards airfield operations, Edwards tanker operations, the 416th Flight Test Squadron and the F-35 Joint Program Office. The F-35 weapons test team was given exclusive use of the Sea Test Range, an instrumented Pacific Ocean test area off the central coast near Point Mugu Naval Air Station, California. Tests were also conducted at the U.S. Navy’s China Lake Weapons Range, California and the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
See Weapons, page 3
Former AFMC commander talks innovation, third offset By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs Innovation and the Third U.S. Offset Strategy were the topics brought forth by retired Air Force Gen. Gregory S. Martin, who spoke to members of Team Edwards Aug. 24 in the base theater. The 412th Test Wing and its innovation team have been encouraging new ideas and processes to pave the way for the future in test and to improve efficiency in general. To help with that encouragement, the wing invited Martin out to meet with the 412th TW Innovation Team and speak to the Edwards workforce.
Martin retired from the Air Force in 2005 as commander of Air Force Materiel Command after serving 35 years on active duty. He has become an independent consultant and serves on several aerospace industry advisory boards. He also has served as a mentor to the joint staff of the DOD. Innovation and change are intertwined and Martin gave some insight on how to develop an innovation culture. The biggest part is to have the right mindset. “You have to be thinking at your boss’ boss’ level and higher,” said Martin. “When you do that, you have a better understanding of why you are doing something. You should look at improving how you do your business every day, no matter where you are or what level you’re at. You can’t solve the Air Force problem at the highest level, but you can solve parts of it.” Innovation in technology is key to Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s Third Offset Strategy. Martin said Carter acknowledges that America’s smaller force needs to be much more capable and superior to enemies America is likely to face who have more quantity. The DOD is focusing on modernization and three world theaters - Europe, the Middle East and Far East. “The tools that needed to be re-sharpened or rebuilt need to be focused on those three theaters.” The first offset began in the 1950s and gave America a significant lead in the world by building up its nuclear arsenal as a deterrent. This lasted until the early 70s. Toward the end of the Vietnam War and into the 80s, DOD knew in a conventional war it had to be able to penetrate enemy airspace and deliver weapons more precisely to destroy enemy forces without nuclear weapons. This became the second offset. “So precision and stealth became very important and gave us an advantage that we used very well through Desert Storm,” Martin said. According to Martin, today, DOD is focused on seven operational areas of modernization and improvement: anti-access/aerial denial; guided
(U.S. Air Force photo by Don Allen)
See Innovation, page 2