Airforces

us effectively receiving UK-specific training

prior to returning to the UK in the summer.”

Stressing the F-35

The ‘Black Knights’ have been keen to build

hours on their three jets in a bid to expose any

early issues. However, being part of the JOTT

brings with it the benefit of shared data across

the US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Navy

and the Royal Netherlands Air Force. While

acknowledging that the Lightning II is still

relatively immature, Tidball says that the nature

of the programme means that experiences and

data are shared, which is a massive benefit.

“Our jets are early-build examples, so

they’ve had to go away for up to six months

for fairly extensive modifications. We are

coming out of that now and we expect

availability to improve, which is welcome

because we’ve got a lot of things going on.”

Although the JOTT squadrons don’t pool

aircraft, they share their findings and regularly

fly alongside one another. “It’s essential that

we are tied in. There will always be some

unique things in certain areas that we look at

separately, but 90% of the activities we are

fully involved with. We are also tied in with

the development test team of the Integrated

Test Force [ITF] here at Edwards,” he added.

The squadron is currently involved in UK

‘mission effectiveness testing’. Tidball said:

“There have been things that we’ve tweaked,

and sure there are a few growing pains, but

ultimately the F-35 is light years ahead and it

will be an extremely solid performer. It’s a very

software-driven platform, which helps ensure

that keeping the aeroplane ahead of the threat

is an easier task. To help ensure we do that,

we will stay in lockstep with the US whilst

continuing to develop UK-specific capabilities.”

The immediate focus for the ‘Black Knights’

is on weapons testing. Development test work

on UK-specific weapons has been completed

by the ITF and operational testing beckons.

“We are taking a staged approach to weapons

evaluation,” explained Tidball. “The squadron is

currently engaged in ground trials and verifying

the documentation to load the weapons

both internally and externally. We will start

carriage trials in the first quarter of 2018.”

Black Knights

of Edwards

In the first of a series of features

marking the centenary of the Royal

Air Force in 2018, Jamie Hunter

meets No 17 (Reserve) Te s t and

Evaluation Squadron ‘Black K n i g h t s’,

part of the F-35 operational test

team at Edwards AFB, California.

Cdr Ian Tidball, Offi cer Commanding No 17

(Reserve) Test and Evaluation Squadron.

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #358 JANUARY 2018 // 65