65
Anderson. Commenting on VX-9’s
position within the JOTT, he says: “We
fl y together on a weekly basis as
sections or divisions with our air
force, marines, British and Dutch
colleagues. We all have similar goals
in testing the F-35, but we also have
more specifi c areas that are service-
related. It all works very well under the
JOTT umbrella as we gear up for IOT&E.”
This important phase has been delayed by
clearances and full availability of the latest
Block 3F software in the jets. “We have some
older airplanes from the early Low-Rate Initial
Production [LRIP] lots that need hardware and
software modifi cations in order to be ready to
receive Block 3F,” explains Anderson. It’s a
schedule that’s seen VX-9 jets and those from
the partner units dispatched to air logistics
centres for these modifi cations. Ultimately,
VX-9’s goal for IOT&E is to have six jets that are
all in 3F confi guration.
Some of the specifi c navy testing that CDR
Anderson mentions includes aircraft carrier
testing. “We CQ’d our fi rst pilot from VX-9
last September and three more are currently
working with VFA-101 and 125 to get
qualifi ed,” Anderson explains. “There are
already multiple boat detachments going on
but we will run OT-I – our fi rst formal
operational test period on the boat – in
summer 2018. For this we will embark on the
carrier and execute specifi c test points to
assess suitability for mission readiness.”
Typically, US Navy pilots must
complete ten daylight ‘traps’ and six atAnderson. Commenting on VX-9’s
position within the JOTT, he says: “We
fl y together on a weekly basis as
sections or divisions with our air
force, marines, British and Dutch
colleagues. We all have similar goals
in testing the F-35, but we also have
more specifi c areas that are service-
related. It all works very well under the
JOTT umbrella as we gear up fABOVE: F-35C test aircraft CF-03 is directed
to a bow catapult aboard the aircraft carrier
USS ‘Dwight D Eisenhower’ (CVN 69) on
October 2, 2015. DT-II sea trials were
conducted over a period of eight days.
Lockheed Martin/Andrew McMurtrie TOP: A
VX-23 landing signals o cer (LSO) talks
to a VX-23 test pilot during DT-I carrier
trials. Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe LEF T: The
increased wing area of the F-35C is readily
apparent in this shot from DT-I carrier trials.
US Navy/MCS Eli K Buguey RIGHT: T h e r s t
F-35C for VFA-101 arrived at Eglin in June
- Lockheed Martin BELOW RIGHT: A VFA-
101 ‘Grim Reapers’ F-35C is prepared to
launch from the USS ‘George Washington’
(CVN 73). US Navy/MCS2C Kris R Lindstrom