An annual report on the F-35 says current testing deadlines are “unrealistic” and could force further delays to the acquisition of the service’s joint strike fighter.
The report, posted online by Aviation Week, says the plan to complete system development and demonstration and begin initial operational test and evaluation by August is “unrealistic.”
The Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy all have received variants of the aircraft. The Marine Corps’ jump-jet version was declared fleet ready last year, and the other two variants are underdoing testing.
The program, which has been criticized for delivering aircraft before testing is complete, is the largest acquisition program ever undertaken by the Pentagon. The prime contractor is Lockheed Martin. Several countries are either developmental partners or have lined up as customers.
Testing of the software system is currently scheduled to be completed by May, which is already seven months later than originally planned. The report finds that even this later deadline is unrealistic, writing that the software and flight testing likely won’t be finished before January 2018.
The three variants of the aircraft perform different functions: The Air Force’s can take off from a conventional runway, the Marine Corps’ will be able to take off and land vertically, and the Navy’s will be able to take off and land from aircraft carriers at sea.
The program has faced a litany of problems in recent years, including an ejection seat that could seriously injure lighter-weight pilots, and a helmet provided pilots a jittery view and poor night vision.
The report found that problems with the helmet have largely been fixed, though further testing in realistic conditions is required to determine if any future adjustments are necessary.
