The United States Air Force has announced that a new configuration of the Lockheed Martin F-35 jet has taken to the skies for its maiden flight.
The Air Force said in a statement that a test team developed from the 461st Flight Test Squadron performed the first flight of an F-35 in the Refresh Technology 3 (TR-3) configuration. ) at Edwards Air Force Base.
The 50-minute flight, which took the jet to an altitude of 35,000 feet at just the speed of sound over the Mojave Desert, marked the beginning of a wide-ranging test campaign.
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The TR-3 provides the computational horsepower to support modernized Block 4 capabilities for the F-35, including: new sensors, longer-range precision weapons, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities improved, stronger data consolidation, and increased cross-platform interoperability. These capabilities give warriors a combat edge to identify, track, engage, and survive advanced air, land, and cyber threats. The TR-3 significantly updates its core processing power and memory capacity, which will allow the F-35 to run advanced software that integrates cutting-edge combat capabilities.
“The F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards AFB is proud to have performed yet another first flight in the F-35 program,” said Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Campbell, commander of Flight 461 Test Squadron, and the director of the Air Force said. F-35 Integrated Test Force. “Refresh Technology 3 modernizes the computational core of the F-35 flying vehicle. As a result, the new TR-3 hardware and software affects nearly every feature of the aircraft. Today’s event is just the beginning of a comprehensive flight test campaign to verify and improve the safety, stability and performance of the entire F-35 weapon system in this new configuration. “
“Today’s maiden flight is an important step in enabling future capabilities to ensure the F-35 remains unrivaled globally. We look forward to continuing to work with the JPO and industry partners to deliver the TR-3,” said Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Program. “Our mission is to provide U.S. service members and allies with a 21st Century security aircraft so they can intercept and defeat threats and return home safely. .”
The TR-3 program has overcome the challenges of technical complexity with hardware and software, and is now on track to deliver capabilities to the United States and its allies starting in 2023. Governments and industry groups continue to find innovative ways to ensure the delivery of critical capabilities to defeat future threats. Lessons learned during the implementation of the TR-3 program will be applied throughout the Block 4 modernization program.
The F-35 is the premier multirole, fifth-generation weapon system. Its ability to collect, analyze and share data is a multiplier that enhances all assets in the combat space: with stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capabilities and operating range. The F-35, in service since July 2015, is the deadliest, most survivable and interoperable fighter aircraft ever built. The F-35 will serve as the backbone of the US fighter fleet as well as 16 other countries for decades to come.
