Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office and Low Observable Sustainability Over Time
Abstract
Integrated Test activities in support of Block 4, to include Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney support at all test sites. Non-recurring engineering required to plan for the service life extension of existing Developmental Test (DT) aircraft and modification necessary to bring DT aircraft fleet to a more production representative and sustainable configuration, and to develop flight test instrumentation and release test software to meet Block 4 requirements. Additional upgrades required to support development and evaluation of improvements driven by changes in the threat environment and as identified in the Electronic Warfare Initial Capability Document (ICD), the Fifth Generation Fighter Modernization ICD, and the Block 4 Capability Development Document (CDD). Beginning in FY2020, the USAF has supported FTI wiring and weapons integration tasks related to AFSEO requests. These tasks include, but are not limited to, envelope expansion, mixed loads testing, adding additional stores and F-35A specific risk reduction efforts and studies. As an alternative to flight test, AFSEO will procure 1/6th scale models of the F-35A to be tested in wind tunnels at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) to fulfill F-35A weapons integration objectives. Wind tunnel testing would increase AFSEO throughput three hundred percent. To ensure the F-35A fleet's Low Observable Sustainability Over Time (LOSOT), 12 F-35A aircraft must undergo radar cross section (RCS) testing annually. The only facility at NAS Patuxent River does not have the capacity to support LOSOT test requirements. The National Radar Test Facility (NRTF) at White Sands Missile Range (WMSR) has the capability, but must procure and install Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) antennae to adapt the range for F-35A testing. These MADL antennae capture F-35A time, space, and position information to direct their radar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 3b76401a85113664323157979000a88c
Related Documents
- Root: F-35 Squadrons