LIGHTNING IITHE FIGHTER EVOLUTION - F-35

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the wings due to training requirements,
Tidball warned: “The more you hang on the
pylons the more your stealthiness reduces.
If the threat is high we’ll likely carry
everything internally. In more permissive
environments we can carry stores externally.”
Stressing the true multi-role capabilities
of the F-35, he said: “You can transition
from an air-to-surface to an air-to-air
mission literally at the flick of a switch on
the HOTAS [hands on throttle and stick].
My flight today included a trial looking at
target location offset errors in the EOTS
[Electro-Optical Targeting System]. I
was looking at zoom modes, track modes
and ranges that will be best to develop
co-ordinates suitable to employ weapons
on. Our R-2508 airspace is busy, so I’ve
got one screen on the display for looking at

the target area, plus another map looking

out to 60 miles around me for any traffic.

“I can look out from the target box and in the

helmet for any traffic cues, and see immediately

if we have a confliction. I’m very comfortable

that even if I’m looking for a target, the F-35

is monitoring for any pop-up air threats, so I

can very quickly make a tactical decision as to

whether I need to stop prosecuting the target

and deal with the air threat, or whether I can

continue with the target and then transition.”

IOT&E and carrier focus

One of the major events on the horizon for

the squadron is the start of formal Initial

Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)

for the F-35. This is an 18-month effort

across the JOTT team at Edwards that

has been delayed by the late clearance of

Block 3F by the development test team.

For the ‘Black Knights’ it’s a case of playing

a key role in this as well as handling the

UK-specific test elements that need to

be addressed. “We aren’t supposed to

understand the mission ahead of time, but

the rehearsals help the White Force refine

their plan to help achieve all of the test

objectives and maximise the stressing of the

aeroplane. Ultimately, we are trying to be as

operationally representative as possible.”

Cdr Tidball comes from a recent posting

with US Navy Air Test and Evaluation

Squadron (VX) 9 ‘Vampires’, with

which he flew the Super Hornet. He

calls the F-35 “another step ahead”.

“The F-35 mission systems, the sensor

fusion, the single picture you are

Wg Cdr (now Gp Capt) Jim Beck at the controls
of UK F-35B BK-02 during his tenure as officer
commanding No 17 TES. Jamie Hunter