The F-35 Lightning II is a multinational, multi-service, single-pilot fighter designed with first-day-of-the-war, precision all-weather strike capability. This highly survivable fighter will be built in three variants – conventional takeoff and landing, short takeoff/ vertical landing, and carrier-based. Overall, the F-35 cockpit is a generation beyond preceding aircraft, as large liquid crystal touch-screen displays feature color-coded symbology, pictographs, and digital information. Also, the head-up display has been replaced by a helmet-mounted display as the primary flight reference. The complexity of missions, sensors used, and weapons employed make this fifth-generation cockpit necessary. Advanced technology makes it possible.

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman/BAE Systems
Type: Fighter (Multirole)
Number Built: 1 (as of January 2007) 2,581 currently planned
First Flight: 24 October 2000 (X-35A); 16 December 2006 (F-35A)
In Service: Service entry expected in 2012
Notable: The F-35 program is the largest aerospace defense program in US history. Eight international partners comprise the program.
Photographer/Location: Tom Harvey/Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, Texas

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Raytheon’s new contract with the U.S. Air Force to upgrade the U.S. Global Positioning System may be worth twice as much as originally thought due to demand for military and commercial use.

The contract is currently valued at $886 million and includes a much-needed update for the U.S. air traffic control system by request of the FAA. The contract states that Raytheon will supervise a team of contractors to make expansions and improvements in accuracy to the GPS system nationwide.

Although the market for GPS accessories and equipment stands at $20 billion today, it is expected to hit $300 billion by 2020, according to Dow Jones. Raytheon’s contract could include work through 2016, with further FAA updates done after that date.

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EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pratt & Whitney has achieved initial service release (ISR) for the conventional take off and landing/carrier variant (CTOL/CV) F135 engine, marking another major milestone as the engine is cleared for operational use in the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

“Achieving initial service release means the F135 CTOL/CV engine, with more than 13,000 test hours, has met all necessary requirements and proven the safety, reliability and performance of this product for operational use in the field,” said Warren Boley, Vice President of F135 Engine Programs. “I am so proud of the F135 CTOL/CV team and our partners at Hamilton Sundstrand, Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office for this great program accomplishment. We look forward to seeing the F135-powered Lightning II in operational flight.”

Pratt & Whitney has delivered 17 flight test engines, as well as the first production F135 engine, and expects to deliver the final short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) flight test engine early this year.

“The F135 CTOL/CV propulsion system has been certified for Low Rate Initial Production and flight operations,” said Rob Burnes, F-35 Joint Program Office, Propulsion Director. “I congratulate the entire F135 team on achieving this milestone.”

Pratt & Whitney has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for eight international partner countries.  The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that powers the F-22 with more than 275,000 operational flight hours.  It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology programs.

The F135 propulsion system has proven it can meet diverse aircraft requirements, and the ground and flight test experience demonstrates the capability of the F135 engine for armed forces around the world.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities and operational engine performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in funding related to the F-35 aircraft and F135 engines, changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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“I have absolute confidence in him in this role,” Stevens said in a telephone news conference. “I have no intention of removing Dan Crowley from this program.”

Stevens’ comments came in a joint conference call with Ashton Carter, the chief Pentagon weapons buyer, after a two-day meeting in Fort Worth on the F-35 program.

After Carter and Stevens discussed the revised plan and budget for the F-35 program, Stevens was asked if he planned any changes in the Lockheed management team. Crowley, executive vice president and F-35 program general manager for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, has specifically come under fire for the program’s delays and rising costs.

“I’ve known and worked with him (Crowley) for a long time and he’s very bright, talented and capable,” Stevens said. “I’m going to work to strengthen his team.”

Carter, undersecretary of defense for weapons acquisition, said the Pentagon and Lockheed “now have a realistic plan” and budget for fixing the F-35 program and getting development of the next generation combat aircraft back on track with minimum delays.

Editors Note:

Daniel J. Crowley was appointed Executive Vice President of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Joint Strike Fighter Program effective May 2, 2005. He is responsible for successful completion of the F-35 System Design and Development Program, transition to full rate production, and global deployment and sustainment of three F-35 variants for 13 military services in nine partner countries. Mr. Crowley has held several key positions with Lockheed Martin, including President of Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, where he led a 2700-person company focused on mission readiness and Vice President of Business Development and Advanced Programs for Lockheed Martin Space and Strategic Missiles responsible for strategic planning, advanced technology concepts and new business acquisition.

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The agreements extend GKN Aerospace’s existing involvement on the F-35, which currently includes the supply of a number of complex titanium structures for the airframe and engine; providing the advanced all-composite engine front fan case and embedded electro-thermal ice protection system for the F135 engine; and designing and supplying the aircraft’s sophisticated canopy transparency.

These new packages of work bring the Company’s extensive composites expertise to the airframe for the first time and involve the manufacture of high value composite parts as well as further precision machined exotic metal structures.

Metal processing is being undertaken by the Company’s team in St. Louis, USA and Filton (UK) whilst the composites work package will be handled at the facility on the Isle of Wight in the UK.  The Agreements cover all three F-35 variants including the F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL), the F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) and the F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) aircraft.

Frank Bamford, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, GKN Aerospace comments:  “We are developing our business to become recognised as a technologically skilled strategic partner able to make a critical contribution to current & future programmes across design, development and manufacture as well as assembly and integration. The F-35 programme is a key focus for us and we are working alongside all our customers on the F-35, including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, as we continue to expand and evolve the support we provide for this exceptional airframe.”

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Sypris Electronics said it now has received about $10 million from Northrop Grumman Information Systems for work on the program since 2005.

The F-35 is the Pentagon’s marquee fighter jet program. Lockheed Martin is the lead contractor.

Sypris provides electronic assemblies for the communications, navigation and identification avionics system for the program.

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Luke Air Force Base Agreeement from Fighter Country on Vimeo.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the state of Arizona sign an agreement that prohibits new residential construction near Luke Air Force Base.

1. Military base protected from encroachment with new agreement
2. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission
3. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment

MRO Americas and MRO Military take place April 20-22, 2010

NEW YORK, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AVIATION WEEK will present the MRO Americas Conference & Exhibition and MRO Military Conference & Exhibition on April 20-22, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona. Leading executives from all areas of the aviation and defense (A&D) maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industries will focus on the road to recovery, growth and profitability. A sold-out, joint exhibition hall will host over 500 MRO, aviation and defense product and services suppliers, featuring new, innovative technologies, solutions and services.

These co-located events offer opportunities for more than 5,500 attendees to access the aircraft maintenance industry’s best and brightest in the pursuit of an enhanced bottom-line through executive-level discussions. MRO Americas attendees will learn how to achieve higher profit margins, increase market share, develop stronger partnerships, ensure more efficient supply chains, and promote global growth. MRO Military will focus on strategic planning sessions for lowering costs and improving systems, reducing fuel burn with propulsion technology, solving inventory issues, developing domestic and global business contacts, and applying best practices to products, processes and services.

Sessions will deliver insight from leading MRO operators, the military, FAA, and airlines. Speakers include MRO Americas keynote presenters John Hickey, Deputy Associate Administrator, Aviation Safety, FAA; Mark Swearingin, VP Technical Operations, Atlas Air, and Chairman EMMC; and Glenn Tilton, Chairman & CEO, United Airlines. Other prestigious speakers at MRO Americas include:

• Felix Ammann, SVP Group Procurement & Material Services, SR Technics
• Katrina Bedell Avers, Research Scientist, FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Michael Baer, Managing Director, Fuel Administration, US Airways
• Ali Bahrami, Director, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA
• Basil Barimo, VP Operations and Safety, ATA
• Jonathan Berger, VP-Technical Services, SH&E
• Joe Brummitt, Director, Material Management, Boeing
• Frank Buratti, Director of Maintenance, JetBlue Airways
• Bob Currey, Managing Director of Supply Chain, Delta TechOps
• Tom Cooper, VP & Principal, TeamSAI
• Chris Doan, President and CEO, TeamSAI
• Alan Epstein, VP Technology & Environment, Pratt & Whitney
• James Griffie, Manager-Technical Procedures, Delta Air Lines
• John Hall, Director of IAM Flight Safety, US Airways
• John Heimlich, Chief Economist, ATA
• August Wilhelm Henningsen, Chairman of the Executive Board, Lufthansa Technik AG
• Jennifer Holmgren, VP and GM, Renewable Energy and Chemicals
• John Hunter, COO, HEICO
• Frank Jauregui, VP Americas, International Federation of Airworthiness
• Warren Johnson, VP Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering, UPS Airlines
• James Kinder, Senior Engineering, Fuels and Thermal Group, Boeing
• Leo Koppers, SVP, MTU Maintenance
• Curt Lambertsen, Director of Materials, Texas Aero Engines Ltd.
• Dec Lee, Managing Director of Engineering, Delta Air Lines
• Kevin Michaels, Principal, AeroStrategy
• John Milewski, PMA Program Manager, FAA
• Sunny Mirchandani, VP, Engineering and Tech Ops, Triumph Airborne Structures
• Meghan O’Laughlin, CF34 Operations Director, StandardAero
• Ernesto Ruiz, CEO, Aeroman
• Klaus Schmidt-Klyk, VP Marketing, Sales & Business Development, Lufthansa Technical Training
• Ray Sisson, Chief Commercial Officer, SR Technics
• Jim Sokol, VP Maintenance & Engineering, Southwest Airlines
• Kirk Thornburg, VP Maintenance & Engineering, AirTran
• Ed Walton, Manager, Aircraft Engineering, UPS Airlines
• Robin Wohnsigl, President, RW Aviation Advisors
• Mark Yerger, VP Engineering, FedEx

For MRO Military speakers, visit http://www.aviationweek.com/events/current/mil/speakers.htm.

Additional information and online registration are available at http://www.aviationweek.com/events or by calling +1-212-904-4682. On Twitter, follow @aviationweek or search for #MROAM or #MROMIL. Discounted rates apply for MRO providers, airlines, government, military, media, and groups of three or more.

MRO Americas and MRO Military are produced by AVIATION WEEK and Overhaul & Maintenance. MRO Americas is produced in association with the Air Transport Association and Team SAI. Gold sponsors include Delta TechOps, Goodrich, and Pratt & Whitney. Silver sponsors are Aerotech Holdings, Aviation Technical Services, Avio-Diepen, Bombardier Customer Services, Chromalloy, Heico Aerospace, IBM, PlaneTechs, Spirit Aerosystems, Triumph Group, Inc., and United Services. Bronze sponsors are Aeroframe, Airbus, Aeroxchange, Air France Industries/KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Avmat, Aveos, Commercial Jet Inc., Fokker, GA Telesis, Harter Aerospace, Pacific Coast Composites, Rockwell Collins, SR Technics, TIMCO Aviation Services, Trax, and TTF Aerospace. MRO Americas is also supported by several airlines: AirTran, ASTAR Air Cargo, Atlas Air, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, UPS, and US Airways. The media sponsor is Aviation Week & Space Technology. MRO Military is sponsored by gold sponsor Deloitte; premier sponsors HEICO Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman; and media sponsor Defense Technology International.

About AVIATION WEEK

AVIATION WEEK, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, and includes http://AviationWeek.com, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Defense Technology International, Business & Commercial Aviation, Overhaul & Maintenance, ShowNews, Aviation Daily, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, The Weekly of Business Aviation, World Aerospace Database, AVIATION WEEK Intelligence Network, and MRO Prospector. The group also produces major events around the world.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, Capital IQ, J.D. Power and Associates, McGraw-Hill Construction and Aviation Week. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2009 were $5.95 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

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“The APY-9 radar will provide unprecedented capability to the U.S. Navy and allied forces operating in the littorals to detect and track airborne and cruise missile threats,” said Carl Bannar, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Radar Systems business, headquartered in Syracuse, NY. “This radar represents a two-generation leap in AEW capability.”

Designed and developed by Lockheed Martin, the AN/APY-9 radar features both a solid-state transmitter with higher power than its predecessor for extended range, as well as digital receivers to increase sensitivity. The UHF radar can “see” smaller targets — and more of them — at a greater range, particularly in coastal regions and over land. Its electronically scanned array provides critically important, continuous 360-degree coverage.  As a new capability, flight operators also can now focus the radar on select areas of interest.

Two engineering-development models and four pre-production radar systems are currently in flight and qualification testing. Over the last several months, the Navy/Industry integrated test team has flown more than 230 radar flights, performing multiple hours of over-water, near-land and over-land radar operations.  Mission system and radar-related testing are currently ahead of schedule.

“We are pleased with the radar’s detection performance,” said Dr. Doug Reep, Lockheed Martin’s program management director for AEW Radar. “Software updates are being released as scheduled and, with each release, the radar has demonstrated improved stability and performance during flight tests.  We are confident we will meet the challenges of the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation scheduled to begin at the first quarter fiscal year 2012.”

Lockheed Martin will produce AN/APY-9 radars to equip all 75 planned U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Lockheed Martin has produced several generations of AEW radars for the aircraft over four decades. Lockheed Martin’s AN/APS-145 airborne radar is currently aboard in-service E-2C Hawkeyes and Hawkeye 2000 aircraft.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

1. Lockheed Martin considering F-35 sales to India
2. Lockheed Martin F-35 Flew Just 10% of Planned 2009 Tests
3. F135 CTOL/CV engine for the Lockheed F-35 stealth fighter gets ISR

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit yesterday at Sukhoi’s offices has yielded some excellent footage of the T-50 cockpit and what appears to be a static airframe.

All photos and videos were posted earlier today at DefenceNet.

The cockpit shows two side-by-side, roughly 15-in multi-function displays with a massive head-up display.

1. Amazing F-35 Lightning II Fifth-Generation Fighter Cockpit
2. The Sukhoi T-50 Russian 5th Generation Fighter
3. A new generation of flight suits for the F-35 JSF

VALPARAISO — Valparaiso and the Air Force reached a settlement agreement Monday night in the months-long legal dispute over dreaded F-35 noise.

After holding an hour-long executive session, commissioners unanimously agreed to the terms of the agreement, and Mayor Bruce Arnold signed the five-page document.

Monday was the court’s deadline for parties to settle or come back to court. The settlement negotiations ended last November but faced a long journey up the chain of command. Now, the settlement needs one more Air Force signature to make it official.

Caroleen Swanson walked out of the commissioners’ chambers shaking her head.

“I don’t think they won anything with this,” the Valparaiso resident said. “There wasn’t anything in that settlement the Air Force wasn’t going to already do.”

But Swanson’s reaction was a rare one. Nearly 20 people waited for the decision to be announced.

“When I heard it was settled, I said, ‘Holy moly. They didn’t drag it out,’ ” said Ron Powers, a Valparaiso resident who decided to run for City Commission because of his opposition to Valparaiso’s lawsuit.

For months, many residents of Valparaiso and across Okaloosa County have questioned Valparaiso’s decision to sue the Air Force.

But many Valparaiso leaders, including the outspoken Arnold, have maintained they had no choice but to sue because excessive noise from the F-35 could destroy city property values, if not the foundations of homes themselves.

The Air Force plans to bring 59 F-35s to Eglin Air Force Base starting this fall, and the settlement says the base can still use the runway close to Valparaiso if necessary.

But Valparaiso leaders feel like they won, because they kept the Air Force from using the close-by runway as often as it wants. The leaders also feel they forced the Air Force to look at using more than two main Eglin runways; now the Air Force is considering other locations on Eglin reservation.

One resident asked about the status of the lawsuit between Valparaiso and Okaloosa County, which had sued the city in an effort to stop it from suing the Air Force. He was told the case is still pending and the settlement had no effect on its outcome.

The commissioners were then thanked and praised by a resident for standing up for the city. The audience applauded in agreement.

Valparaiso attorney Chris Bentley said the lawsuit settled Monday gave the city a voice and actually was responsible for the settlement of Valparaiso’s first lawsuit against the Air Force, the Freedom of Information Act complaint that gave the city all F-35 noise data.

The now-settled lawsuit, Bentley argued, proved to the Air Force that Valparaiso was serious and would not back down. Commissioners had instructed Bentley to pursue the suit but told him from the very beginning that they would prefer a settlement.

The Air Force agreed to pay Valparaiso attorney fees of $60,000 — much, but not all, of the city’s cost. Eglin officials will also convene a noise committee in which local government representatives can meet with base officials and discuss noise issues.

The agreement also includes clauses that protect Valparaiso’s right to sue the Air Force if the final Record of Decision adversely affects residents.

Arnold closed the meeting with a smile. He said the settlement was a tremendous step to relationships between the city and other municipalities healing.

“I also hope this will be a catalyst to settling the lawsuit (with the county) very quickly,” he said.

1. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
2. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission
3. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment

The t

The operations at Luke AFB have impacted people from all walks of life and from every state in the nation. Since 1988, Luke Air Force Base has trained 16,270 fighter pilots to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and graduated 9,071 crew chiefs. They continue to play a critical role in protecting America’s freedom and security worldwide.

The presence of Luke and other military bases in Arizona contribute significantly to the state and local economies. Luke AFB alone contributes more than 8,000 jobs and $2 billion annually to our state’s economy. Luke’s economic impact is especially critical in light of the current budget crisis facing the state and every community in Arizona.

Our jewel to the south, the Barry M. Goldwater Range, provides highly flexible joint military service training and realistic combat missions. Each year, fighters from Luke AFB conduct more than 30,000 air-to-air gunnery and air-to-ground bombing training at the 1.7-million acre facility located between Yuma and Tucson.

The town of Buckeye and other West Valley communities have revised their development plans and/or set aside property in the area to protect Luke’s training mission. Buckeye is home to many of the brave men and women who support Luke’s current fighter training mission. Buckeye is where their families live and their children are educated. And, we hope Buckeye will be able to welcome a new generation of F-35 personnel and their families to our community as well.

In addition to protecting our nation’s defense and being an economic asset to the state, Luke AFB has a profoundly positive impact in our communities. Base personnel volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually at local schools, churches, youth sports leagues and non-profit organizations.

Our Town Council’s recent resolution illustrates the unwavering support and commitment of Buckeye residents to Luke Air Force Base – for the current F-16 training mission and as the future training site for the new F-35.

1. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
2. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training

AURORA, Colo. | The U.S. Air Force has selected Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) for an initial contract of $886 million to develop a new element of the Global Positioning System to improve the accuracy of information from GPS satellites.

The contract represents the first two development blocks of the advanced control segment (OCX), which will have a significant impact on GPS capabilities. The OCX will include anti-jam capabilities and improved security, accuracy and reliability and will be based on a modern service-oriented architecture to integrate government and industry open-system standards.

“We are excited to partner with the Air Force to provide the best-value GPS control system for the future,” said Lynn Dugle, president of Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems business. “Raytheon’s broad experience in delivering satellite-to-ground command-and-control systems will ensure that our nation’s military and civil GPS users worldwide are provided new capabilities.”

The OCX will dramatically affect GPS command, control and mission capabilities and make it easier for the operations team to run the current GPS block II and all future GPS satellites.

“Raytheon is proud to deliver innovative technologies to help the Air Force meet its mission of protecting GPS operational services,” said Bob Canty, GPS vice president and program manager for Raytheon. “The advanced control segment is a critical program for our nation’s combat forces, coalition partners, as well as domestic and international civil users. By selecting Raytheon, the Air Force recognizes our experience and commitment to take GPS to the next level.”

The GPS, a satellite-based radio navigation system for the military and the public, comprises three major segments: the user segment, the space segment and the control segment, which includes a master control station and ground antennas.

“The OCX concept was created to separate the control and space segments,” Canty said. “Technologies were evolving so rapidly and were so critical to execution that specialized skills were needed. The GPS wing saw the same need for specialized expertise on GPS OCX.”

Raytheon brings more than four decades of experience in command-and-control systems for satellites to the OCX program. Teammates include The Boeing Company, ITT, Braxton Technologies, Infinity Systems Engineering and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The contract was awarded by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

1. Raytheon’s new GPS contract with the U.S. Air Force may be over $1.77 Billion
2. GKN Aerospace Selected for Further Composite and Metallic Work on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
3. F135 CTOL/CV engine for the Lockheed F-35 stealth fighter gets ISR

Joint Strike Fighter pilot instructors were fitted for their new gear Thursday morning in Nomad Hall during a press conference.

View a photo gallery of the pilot instructors getting fitted »

Representatives from the suit and helmet manufacturers fielded questions. They shared the number of measurements taken to fit pilots into the gear and safety measures taken to make the suits. They also detailed features of everything, including the socks.

But they would not talk prices.

“It costs more than your house,” said Bob Foote, chief technology officer of helmet manufacturer Vision Systems International.

Rumor had it that helmets cost about $250,000 each, but Foote would not confirm it.

The flight suits were a greater mystery.

Because they are being bought and produced in a small batch for the instructors than greater numbers as the program revs up, the initial cost per uniform is more than it will be in the future, said Dale Hensley, JSF support equipment logistics lead at Lockheed Martin. He did not offer an estimate.

Graham Robertson, JSF trials and integrated logistics manager for RFD Beaufort, helped design of the flight suits. He said a lot of money was saved on the project but did not know how much.

“We’re just engineers,” he said. “We’re just trying to tailor our equipment to the needs and we know there will be many needs.”

The suits will be worn by pilots from the Navy, Air Force and Marines, and student pilots from allied countries.

Each branch of service and country can tailor the suits according to its use. For example, the U.S. Navy and British pilots will fly over water more often than the Air Force. They will have options such as integrating life preservers into the suits.

RFD Beaufort took a flight suit already in production then made improvements based on F-35 specifications and trial runs.

Those improvements included tailoring the sleeves for safer ejections during an emergency and creating two different g-force protection suits that would keep pilots from blacking out in an emergency.

A pilot who tested the g-protection suits during flight demonstrations showed a notable improvement to current suits.

“When in the Legacy suit (worn flying F-16’s), he was fatigued after one display,” Robertson said.

The pilot then changed into the new protective gear. “After three displays, he was fresh as a daisy,” Robertson said.

The suits are manufactured in Ohio with material made in the United States.

Socks are sewn into thermal suits and create a barrier against water in case a pilot ejects and lands in water. Other garments whisk away summer heat and have coolants pumping in them.

Pilots will wear flame retardant undergarments that Roberts said would have saved thousands of lives had they been used years ago

“This equipment will protect and give the pilots a chance to get out,” Roberts said. “It integrates with the ejection seat and helmet.”

Fitting and issuing the gear is a two-day process that includes testing the gear in a cockpit to ensure pilots can function safely and comfortably.

The most advanced step in the fitting process is the personalized helmet fitting. A laser scanner maps the head of each pilot and creates padding tailored to the individual in a matter of hours.

The fit of the helmets impressed Maj. Eric Smith, assistant director of operations for the 58th Fighter Squadron. He said it felt like the helmet was suctioned to his head.

“They also have noise reduction. They’re very nice,” he said.

The technology in the four-pound helmet does not stop at the fitting. The helmets make flying the F-35 seem like flying an invisible aircraft. When pilots look down, they see the view under the aircraft. A glance to each side also shows them the view outside of the aircraft.

“It’s like playing a virtual reality game,” Foote said. “The plane helps a little. But I prefer to think they built the plane to the specifications of this helmet.”

1. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations
2. Amazing F-35 Lightning II Fifth-Generation Fighter Cockpit
3. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Helmet Mounted Display System

Tuesday night’s meeting in El Mirage and last night’s meeting in Surprise each attracted big crowds of approximately 300 people. Luke supporters donning military hats, t-shirts, pins and stickers could be found everywhere at the meetings, which are being conducted by the Air Force to solicit input from citizens in preparation of the F-35 environmental study at the Glendale base.

Based on reports from other communities, such as New Mexico, Utah and Idaho, which are also under consideration to receive the Air Force’s joint strike fighter program, the Luke meetings are drawing record crowds.

“At last night’s meeting in Surprise, there was a line of people waiting to get inside the meeting room,” said Fighter Country Partnership’s Steve Yamamori, whose organization is working with 12 West Valley cities and Maricopa County to bring the F-35 to Luke. West Valley residents and others are showing up in force at these meetings to express their support for the Air Force to bring the F-35 to Luke. This strong support by local citizens is definitely going to send a clear message to decisions makers back in Washington, D.C. that Arizona strongly supports the F-35.”

Based on the criteria the Air Force will use to evaluate sites for the F-35 mission, Luke is well positioned to receive the F-35 and continue to serve as the Air Force’s “school house” for America’s fighter pilots and maintainers.
Local leaders know, however, that until a decision is made, nothing can be taken for granted, and they urge continued strong support from Arizonans statewide.

Luke has been training fighter pilots since 1941, and Arizona features the ideal climate, land, airspace and training rangers – including the Barry M. Goldwater Range in southern Arizona – that cannot be replicated anywhere in the country.

For more information on the public-scoping meetings, which run through Friday, or to register your support for the F-35 at Luke, visit www.LukeForward.com.

CONTACT: Steve Yamamori, Fighter Country Partnership, 623-882-2191

1. El Mirage Residents Support F-35, Future missions at Luke Air Force Base
2. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
3. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base

Residents are encouraged to attend one or more of these meetings and to complete comment forms that will be used during the process of the Environmental Impact Study conducted regarding the F-35s and the mission’s potential impact on the area. Residents’ comments are needed to assist the Air Force in making more informed decisions and can be mailed by March 25 to David Martin, HQ AETC/A7PP, 266 F Street West, Randolph, AFB, TX 78150-4319. Comment forms may be obtained at http://lukeforward.com/

According to Luke’s Web site, Lockeed Martin, the F-35’s manufacturer, in concuntion with the Air Force Research Lab, conducted an aircraft acoustics study on the F-35 in October 2008 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The study concluded that the F-35 is only “slightly louder (less than 10 percent) than the F-16s currently stationed at Luke AFB. The study noted that acoustic levels experienced by the public depend on a number of conditions…. The Air Force is in the process of validating the study results.”

The Web site goes on to explain that the takeoffs and landings, as well as flight patterns and number of daily training flights will largely remain the same. Typically Luke’s training flights occur between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. “Flights may occur on weekends, due to training mission requirements. Luke flies between 125-150 training missions (referred to in the military as “sorties”) a day, which can result in more than 400 flights over the local area daily.”

All area residents are encouraged to attend one or more of these initial scoping meetings and to fill out a response card. Visit www.lukeforward.com for more information.

1. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Tonight in El Mirage
3. Fighter Country Partnership CEO boosts F-35 mission during SCHOA meeting

The Air Force proposes to establish training F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) training aircraft at one or more existing Air Force installations within the continental United States. F-35A is a conventional take-off, multiple-role fighter with an emphasis on air-to-ground missions. The aircraft was designed to replace and supplement F-16 and A-10 aircraft.

The candidate basing alternatives include: Holloman AFB New Mexico, Boise Air Terminal Air Guard Station, also known as Gowen Field, Idaho, Luke AFB, Arizona, Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Arizona, and Eglin AFB in Florida.

For purposes of this Environmental Impact Study alternatives currently include:

• No-Action – The No-Action Alternative evaluates the consequences of not bedding down the F-35A aircraft at any of the candidate locations. Analysis of the No-Action Alternative provides a baseline, enabling decision makers to compare the magnitude of the environmental effects of no action to the effects of the Proposed Action.
• Action Alternatives – For the F-35A Training EIS, each candidate installation is an “alternative” for review in the EIS. Environmental impacts for each alternative will be analyzed for the No-Action Alternative and in six increments of 24 primary assigned aircraft.

Visit LukeForward.com to download a comment card to fill out in the convenience of your home.  You can bring the card to one of the five meetings.  Comments cards can also be completed on-line and sent via email or through the US Postal Service.  It’s quick, convenient and vital that the Air Force hears from supporters of the F-35 mission.

Tuesday, February 23 – Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort

RC Roberts Memorial Building, 11201 N. El Mirage Road, El Mirage, Arizona Google Maps Link

Wednesday, February 24th – Communiversity @ Surprise

Thursday, February 25^{th –} Wickenburg High School Media Center

Friday, February 26^{th –} Wigwam Resort and Spa

1. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Locations and Schedule (update)
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meetings in Arizona
3. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base

1. Amazing F-35 Lightning II Fifth-Generation Fighter Cockpit
2. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Flies in United Kingdom
3. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program will be delayed by about one year

As mayor of Surprise, I see the positive difference Luke Air Force Base makes daily in our community. That is why I fully support bringing the F-35 training program to Luke Air Force Base.

Surprise has more flyovers from Luke’s F-16 jets than any other West Valley city. To us, the roar of those fighters is the sound of freedom.

Luke AFB is a true West Valley native. Its mission of defending freedom blossomed decades ago, when it was a training site for young WWII pilots. Many of them loved Arizona and settled here; becoming residents of the cities that eventually sprang up around Luke.

Today, many of the 8,000 active-duty personnel and their 6,700 family members are an important part of our community. We know them as neighbors, business customers and employees, students at our Communiversity, or parents and friends involved in school and community life. Without them, Surprise wouldn’t be the city of opportunity and connectedness we are today.

Luke has a $2.1 billion annual impact on Arizona’s economy. That means one thing above all: jobs. Thousands are directly employed at the base; thousands more support Luke indirectly. These jobs create demand for housing and generate consumer spending. This helps local businesses thrive and helps local governments pay for public safety and roadways. Without the    F-35, the mission of Luke is threatened, and our community could lose jobs at the worst possible time as we work to recover from this severe recession.

Surprise is working closely with Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, Peoria, Phoenix, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown on the Luke Forward campaign to support the new F-35 mission. You can get involved, too. Visit www.lukeforward.com to register your support and get answers to frequently asked questions about the F-35. Look for sign-up support sheets at the many businesses in Surprise that are behind the F-35 mission at Luke.

I encourage you to attend one of the five public meetings being held in Northwest Valley cities, including Surprise, February 22- 26. These meetings are part of the Environmental Impact Statement process, which will help the Air Force decide where to station the F-35. We need to let decision makers at the federal level know we want the F-35 and the mission of Luke to continue for decades to come.
Our economic future and the fabric of our community life will be much richer if Luke receives the F-35 training mission. Together, let’s show support for our brave neighbors and colleagues at Luke who defend America and make Arizona a better place.

Visit lukeforward.com to prefill the EIS comment form if you  are not able to attend any of the public scoping meetings.

About Mayor L.E. “Lyn” Truitt

Lyn and his wife, Donna, moved to Surprise in 1997. They have two children and three grandchildren. Donna has worked at the Dysart Unified School District since 2000 and daughter-in-law, Nicole, is a music teacher in the District.

Lyn has been a self-employed businessman for the past 30 years. As national training consultant for a contract delivery systems company, he trained entrepreneurs in small business ownership, management and operations. Lyn is currently owner/broker of L.E. Truitt & Associates Real Estate Consulting and a Certified International Property Specialist.

Over the years, Lyn coached a youth soccer team to two City of Phoenix titles, obtained three scuba diving certifications and served as Crew Chief on a hot air balloon team.  He traveled to England as part of a Christian outreach opportunity and considers himself a life-long learner, taking classes ranging from Greek to photography.

Lyn is a graduate of Leadership West, Class IX and his commitment to effective and ethical leadership is demonstrated through participation in neighborhood and community initiatives, support for quality education, a willingness to volunteer and dedication to our City and residents.

Participation in neighborhood and community initiatives includes leadership on the Coyote Lakes HOA and work on various community initiatives.  He was presented the Arizona Golden Rule Award for volunteerism by Secretary of State, Jan Brewer. Lyn is active with the Salvation Army Board, organizes an annual drive for St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank, and serves on the Board of West Valley Art Museum.

His support for quality education includes service on committees that worked to pass school bond issues, membership on the Dysart Tax Credit Committee, Chair of the Dysart Wall of Unity Committee and the Community Advisory Team Board.

Lyn’s passion for our community is evidenced by successful campaigns to reduce the restaurant tax in Surprise, improve Bell Road and preserve areas around Luke Auxiliary Field 1.  He served as Surprise Planning & Zoning Committee Chair.

1. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. Peoria mayor urges Luke Air Force Base support

Tensions between F-35 jet supporters and skeptics will have another chance to boil over next week, as the Air Force will hold a series of scoping meetings to hear the public’s concerns.

The public scoping process is intended to actively involve citizens and government agencies in helping identify the environmental issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis of the F-35 at Luke. These meetings will provide residents with an introduction to the F-35 and its capabilities and mission. Specific information on how the F-35 will be integrated at Luke as a training facility will also be covered.

Meetings are scheduled in El Mirage and Surprise. The El Mirage meeting will be Tuesday at the RC Roberts Memorial Building at Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort, 11201 N. El Mirage Road. In Surprise, the meeting will be Wednesday at the Communiversity@Surprise, 15850 West Civic Center Plaza. All scoping meetings will begin at 6 p.m.

The Peoria Chamber of Commerce is planning to have a presence at the meeting in El Mirage, putting out a call to its membership to show up en masse in support of the F-35 mission. Luke Air Force Base is a $2 billion annual economic engine, the chamber said in the call to action, an economic engine the West Valley cannot afford to lose.

“As business leaders and residents we can’t afford not to show our support,” the newsletter stated. “We encourage you to invite your employees, business partners, family and friends to ensure a large turnout from the community.”

The chamber is also encouraging people to wear red, white and/or blue T-shirts to drive the point home.

The F-35 fighter jet has become the center of controversy over the past few months, with El Mirage the lone dissenter. While every other municipality in the area has voiced their support for bringing the jet to Luke, El Mirage officials have raised questions. They have expressed concern over the volume of the jets, and what effect noise pollution will have on their community. (from: Your West Valley)

1. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
2. Peoria mayor urges Luke Air Force Base support
3. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base

“The first two production F-35s are in final assembly at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant, and the training wing at Eglin is primed to receive them and get their pilots in the seats,” said Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 Business Development and Customer Engagement. “The Air Force is by far the biggest F-35 customer, and the fact that the largest and most powerful air force in the world is staking its future on the capabilities of this aircraft speaks volumes.” The Air Force plans to operate 1,763 F-35As, which along with the F-22, ultimately will replace all of the Air Force’s current fighter fleet.

“The F-35 will be flown by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as our closest allies. This means that the USAF and the rest of the world’s great air forces will be flying the F-35 together in the future,” O’Bryan said. “The F-35 provides ‘best value’ in a package that not only deters hostilities but enhances interoperability.”

Speaking Friday at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, O’Bryan pointed to the pillars of the F-35 program – affordability, survivability, lethality and supportability – and highlighted the F-35’s value proposition. “As a 5th generation fighter, the F-35 is redefining the term ‘multirole fighter’ combining unprecedented situational awareness, net-enabled systems, sensor fusion, advanced sustainment, stealth and fighter performance in an affordable and supportable package.”

With more than 150 test flights completed, all systems operating in F-35 aircraft, other surrogate test aircraft and laboratories, and 35 aircraft in assembly, the program is demonstrating steady progress toward meeting its commitments to the U.S. Air Force. Last November, AF-1, the first optimized conventional takeoff and landing variant (CTOL) aircraft, celebrated its initial flight, piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot David “Doc” Nelson.

Of particular interest to the Air Force, the CTOL variant establishes new levels of operational availability. With simplicity and ease of maintenance designed in, the aircraft has unprecedented reliability and maintainability requirements, along with a reduced deployment footprint. The F-35A will provide unequaled multimission capability with a fraction of the support required by legacy fighters.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/

1. F35 JSF for Operational Testing – Britain Aquiring 3rd STOVL Model
2. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands
3. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations

Captain Lawrence Burt, Commander of Carrier Air Wing Two, said officials testing the short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) version of the new radar-evading fighter needs to conduct a few more flights before doing the landing maneuver .

“They’re three or four flights from a full STOVL vertical landing, which would be a huge step in the testing process,” Burt told Reuters after addressing a defense conference hosted by Aviation Week.

Burt said achieving the long-delayed milestone in the testing program would help ensure that the small carriers used for Marine Corps aircraft could be modified to accommodate the new fighter during upcoming scheduled maintenance stops.

That, in turn, would allow sea trials of the new fighters to test their performance in the environment at sea, as well as the plane’s coatings, Burt said, noting that the Marines hoped to begin sea trials of the new planes this fall.

“There’s a lot of stuff that we’ve got to learn,” Burt said, noting that the carriers would need to be outfitted with new bolts to attach the planes to the deck.

“We are making sure that when we actually take the ship into the yards and do those modifications, that the aircraft will be ready, so that when it comes back out to sea, the plane’s coming. We don’t want to do it early,” he said.

Lockheed spokesman John Kent said the F-35B is completing tests required before it could attempt the vertical landing.

“We’re progressing through the final series of tests leading up to vertical landing and we expect it to happen soon,” he said.

The STOVL testing began at a U.S. air base in southern Maryland last November after being delayed for months due to issues with delivery of some parts, a design change in the STOVL engine built by Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp (UTX.N), and adverse weather conditions.

Program and industry official had hoped to complete the first STOVL mode vertical landing by year’s end. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

1. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands
2. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations
3. F35 JSF for Operational Testing – Britain Aquiring 3rd STOVL Model

Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter on Wednesday said he will continue to aggressively review and manage the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter after a restructuring of the troubled program aimed at getting its cost and schedule back on track.

Speaking at a conference sponsored by Aviation Week, Carter said plans to prolong and invest more heavily in the F-35’s development phase would put it on a path that is more “solid and realistic” and reverse “the schedule erosion” that has plagued the program.

Carter, who spent weeks this fall reviewing the F-35, expressed confidence the Pentagon could bring down costs on the planes, of which the Defense Department plans to buy more than 2,400 to replace older fighters in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps inventory.

In its five-year budget forecast, the Pentagon is relying on an independent cost estimate that is higher than the program office’s own cost projections for the planes, because the independent estimate took into account billions more needed for research and development.

“That is our most realistic estimate of the budget that will actually be required to execute the program,” Carter said of the independent estimate. “I’m not fatalistic about that. I hope to do better. Our contractor partners hope that we will do better. We will make adequate allowance for them to do better than that.”

For fiscal 2011, the Pentagon is requesting $8.7 billion in procurement funding to buy 43 F-35s, plus $2.3 billion for continued research and development and $535 million for spare parts.

Carter praised prime contractor Lockheed Martin Corp., saying he “can’t say enough” about the firm’s partnership with the government on the program. This month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced he was withholding $614 million in fees to Lockheed — a decision, Gates said, Lockheed officials agreed with.

Also Wednesday, Carter signaled he believes the Pentagon has done all it can to assure a fair competition to replace the Air Force’s fleet of Eisenhower-era aerial refueling tankers.

“We can’t force a competition, but we think we have a fair, open, transparent, right-down-the-middle approach to this,” Carter said. “It’s an important program to us. It’s also a very lucrative business opportunity, and so I’m hopeful that it will be seen that way.”

The Air Force is expected to release a request for proposals for the contract by the end of the month in hopes of awarding a contract this summer.

Boeing Co. and a team led by Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS are expected to vie for the contract, estimated at as much as $40 billion. But Northrop officials have threatened to back out unless the Air Force makes significant changes to the draft request for proposals, which they believe favors the Boeing offering.

Gates told House lawmakers this month the Pentagon would proceed with the competition regardless.

“We have to have new tankers,” he said.

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program revitalized by Sec. Robert Gates
2. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program will be delayed by about one year
3. 2011 budget will seek nearly $11 billion for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

The jet, known as BF-3, took off near Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant at 9:51 a.m. CST and arrived at NAS Patuxent River three hours and 10 minutes later. BF-3 joins two other F-35Bs at the Navy test site, and will be used mainly to evaluate vehicle systems and expand the aircraft’s aerodynamic and structural-loads envelope. The airplane will also focus on weapons testing, and will carry and release most of the weapons the F-35B will use in combat. Two more F-35Bs will join the test operation in the near future. The latter airplanes will be the primary test assets for the F-35’s integrated mission systems.

Piloted by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35 Test Pilot Jeff Knowles, the third F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter landed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., today.

“Today, the third of our five STOVL test jets joined the F-35 fleet at the Test Center as our flight test program initiates the expansion of the F-35’s flight-sciences envelope,” said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration. “Our focus remains on fielding the F-35’s tremendous capabilities to our warfighters, recapitalizing our nation’s aging fighter fleet, and meeting our commitments to the F-35 partner nations.”

In addition to flight testing, the F-35 Program is using the Autonomic Logistic Information System (ALIS) for maintenance actions, spares tracking and technical data support. ALIS is part of the F-35’s innovative sustainment architecture monitored by the F-35 Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS) Operations Center in Fort Worth. The early deployment of the F-35 net-enabled logistics system to be used by all nine partner countries helps ensure the F-35’s smooth transition to operational status, and is a key enabler for lower life cycle costs.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

For additional information, visit our website:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

1. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations
2. F-35 STOVL expected to make first vertical landing soon
3. F35 JSF for Operational Testing – Britain Aquiring 3rd STOVL Model

Unfortunately, there have been many opinions that were misconstrued as facts that could potentially hurt the opportunity to have Luke AFB chosen as the new JSF training base for the Department of Defense.

As mayor of Surprise, I want to state my full support for bringing the F-35 training program to Arizona.  Surprise has more flyovers of aircraft than any other West Valley city and we hear the roar of those jets as the sound of freedom.

Others have misstated the F-35 being twice as loud as the current F-16s that we have at Luke AFB, but the official Department of Defense tests completed in October 2008 at Edwards Air Force Base concluded that the F-35 is approximately 10% louder than the F-16s currently flying at Luke AFB.

The Environmental Impact Statement process that will be conducted at Luke will also consider the noise generated from the F-35 as part of its site-specific data collection.

Beyond the mechanics of the F-35, I also want to highlight the impact of the military on our local community.

With the close proximity of Surprise to Luke AFB, many of the 8,000 active-duty personnel and their 6,700 family members have chosen to live and work in Surprise.  Their impact on our city—through the contributions they make as employees at local businesses, to their children in local schools to their choice to reside in Surprise—cannot be negated and truly shows the close relationship that Surprise and Luke AFB share.

Without these brave men and women serving our country and playing an active role in our community, Surprise would not be the wonderful city that we all call home.  We welcome them as our neighbors, co-workers, students and customers and look forward to Luke AFB being a thriving partner to our south long after the F-16 program is phased out in 2025.

Luke AFB was here in the West Valley long before neighboring cities began cropping up and we should all unite in our support of continuing Luke’s contribution to our region and to the entire state of Arizona.

The economic impact of $2.1 billion annually that Luke contributes to Arizona’s economy cannot be dismissed, as we all benefit through small and large business cultivation, revenue generation and an increase in the quality of jobs created by the presence of Luke in our backyard.  This will only increase in the years to come if we continue to show a united support of our “hometown Air Base.”

It’s been wonderful to hear positive feedback and support from our Surprise-based businesses in the last few weeks. Many of these businesses have voiced their support for the mission at Luke AFB and stated that they would not be in business without the support of the military personnel who have become loyal customers.
Our business community is rising up to show their support for continuing the mission at Luke and bringing the F-35 mission here by writing letters of support, putting support sign-up sheets out for their customers to sign, providing discounts for those with military identification cards and enthusiastically asking how they can continue showing their support for bringing the F-35 to Arizona.

I invite you to join me and these Surprise business owners in voicing your support of the mission at Luke AFB and bringing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission to Arizona by going to www.lukeforward.com.  In addition to adding your support through that website, you can also find answers to questions you may have about the technical aspects of the F-35 aircraft or the JSF mission coming to Arizona.

1. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
2. Town of Buckeye Supports F-35 at Luke Air Force Base
3. Goodyear’s city council recognizes the importance of Luke Air Force Base and the F-35 mission

The Pentagon’s No. 2 official said this week that the jet’s development schedule would slip between 12 months and 13 months despite an aggressive restructuring of the program that was announced earlier this month.

“The development was originally projected to last an additional 30 months; we think with the additional test aircraft it will be closer to a delay of about 12 or 13 months, but I can’t give you the cost numbers,” The Australian newspaper quoted Lynn as saying during a speech at a shipyard in South Australia. He did not say if this would affect the delivery timeline for the JSF.

The delay is due to the integration of additional test aircraft that were mandated under the restructuring, which also extended system development and design (SDD) until 2015, according to a Pentagon official.

“That is a true statement, the driver on this is the test aircraft,” the official said Feb. 16. “The driver on this whole thing, about a year, is due to the additional test aircraft.”

Like Lynn, the official would not comment on how this will affect the delivery schedule for the plane. The U.S. Marine Corps is set to get its first F-35s in 2012, with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy scheduled to receive their jets in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

On Feb. 1, Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed’s vice president for F-35 business development, told reporters that while the jet’s flight tests are roughly six months behind schedule, the company will deliver the plane in time to meet the Marines’ initial operating capability date of 2012.

“I think you’ll see that we’re going to deliver all the SDD jets by the end of this year and get them in flight test,” O’Bryan said.

Under the Pentagon’s restructuring that was announced Feb. 1, Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered an additional test jet and $2.8 billion be put into the extended F-35 SDD, withheld more than $600 million in performance fees from Lockheed, cut planes from F-35 acquisition coffers and fired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Heinz, the Pentagon’s F-35 program manager.

The Defense Department is requesting $10.7 billion in its 2011 budget to continue development on the F-35 and purchase 43 of the planes.

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program revitalized by Sec. Robert Gates
2. Pentagon Aggressively Reviewing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
3. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Flies in United Kingdom

That is why we are pleased to see Defense Secretary Robert Gates taking strong steps to revitalize the struggling F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

A cost-effective F-35 is critical to the future combat needs of the Air Force, Navy and Marines. The project already is years behind schedule and nearly 50 percent above its originally estimated cost. That is clearly too much, especially with the Pentagon planning to buy almost 2,500 of the planes over the next 25 years. That comes to a total cost of $300 billion — provided nothing else goes wrong.

Mr. Gates means to see that it does not.

This month, he removed the Marine in charge of the program, Maj. Gen. David Heinz, and said his replacement would be a higher-ranking officer with more authority to keep a tighter rein on private contractors’ performance. Reinforcing that message, Mr. Gates also announced that he would withhold, at least for now, $614 million in progress payments from the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin.

The money should not be released until Lockheed has significantly improved its performance.

This insistence on accountability would be considered normal in most private businesses. But it is virtually unheard of in the cozy world of military procurement. Mr. Gates clearly wants to get the attention of other Pentagon managers and contractors. We hope he has.

The F-35 program was supposed to be the prototype for more effective defense procurement. Like the far more expensive F-22, the plane incorporates stealth technology and can successfully engage enemy fighters in air-to-air combat. But it also is built to support ground combat units in today’s wars, like the Air Force F-16 and A-10 and the Navy F-18 it is intended to replace.

Mr. Gates will have to keep monitoring the performance of Lockheed Martin and General Heinz’s successor and personally intervene again if needed. The F-35 program is too necessary and budget dollars too scarce to permit further waste or delay.  A TIMELY JOLT FOR THE F-35 (The New York Times, New York)

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program will be delayed by about one year
2. Pentagon Aggressively Reviewing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
3. 2011 budget will seek nearly $11 billion for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

The United States donated five fast-patrol boats to Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency at the Karachi shipyard Feb. 13, 2010. The U.S. government also recently donated field artillery and water trucks to the Pakistani military. The U.S. government is set to donate four more fast boats to Pakistan later this year. Courtesy photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Four water trucks were provided to the Pakistani Army’s special services group Feb. 12. The next day, Pakistan’s maritime security agency obtained five American fast-patrol boats, while the Pakistani army received 48 self-propelled field artillery cannon.

The water trucks will be employed in humanitarian relief missions in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region. The boats will enhance Pakistan’s coastal interdiction and patrol capabilities. And, the cannon will be used by Pakistani government forces to combat terrorists that operate in its homeland.

“These field artillery cannons are an important part of enhancing the capabilities of Pakistan’s army as it continues to wage its courageous fight against terrorists who seek to destroy Pakistan’s people and way of life,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata, U.S. Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan deputy commander, as he officially handed over the M1095A5 howitzers to Pakistani Army Brig. Gen. Farrukh Saeed, commander of the 25th Mechanized Artillery Division.

Nagata also participated in ceremonies featuring the turning over of the water trucks and fast boats to Pakistani senior military officials.

Pakistan is slated to receive another four fast-patrol boats later this year.

“Whether it’s search-and-rescue, combating smugglers, preventing crime or protecting Pakistan’s coastal areas, we hope the increased capabilities these boats provide greatly enhance the MSA’s ability to conduct the full spectrum of maritime operations,” Nagata said during the handover ceremony in Karachi Feb. 13.

During the past three years, U.S. civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has totaled more than $4 billion. Assistance provided and delivered has included support for medical aid, school refurbishment, bridge and well reconstruction, food distribution, agricultural and education projects, 14 F-16 fighter aircraft, 10 Mi-17 helicopters, more than 450 vehicles for Pakistan’s Frontier Corps, hundreds of night-vision goggles, day/night scopes, radios, and thousands of protective vests and first-aid items for Pakistan’s security forces.

In addition, the United States has funded and provided training for more than 370 Pakistani military officers in a wide range of leadership and development programs, covering topics such as counterterrorism, intelligence, logistics, medical operations, flight safety and military law.

(Compiled from U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan, news releases.)

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Flies in United Kingdom
2. Understanding the real dollar impact of Luke and other military operations in Arizona

Local, State Leaders Work Together to Make Arizona A National Model for Protecting Military Bases

West Valley and state leaders have been working together to take proactive steps in preserving and enhancing the long-term mission viability of the state’s military installations.

Their actions may soon pay off as Luke Air Force Base is one of several Air Force bases being considered for the upcoming F-35 training mission.

Since the first successful state legislation was passed in 1978, there has been a coordinated and continuous approach to establishing compatible land uses around military bases in Arizona, including Luke.

State laws establish compatible land uses and other protections within noise contours and accident potential zones that ensure that responsible land-use planning and development occurs around Luke.

The state legislation reflects the tremendous commitment local, regional and state leaders have in protecting military installations statewide from development encroachment, according to Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who recently traveled to Washington to brief top Air Force officials on Arizona’s strong support for Luke’s mission.

“Luke is a critical economic asset and a point of pride for all Arizonans. I am committed to leading the fight to enforce state laws protecting the base from encroachment and will continue to work with state, local and federal officials to secure the F-35 training mission at Luke.”

The Arizona Legislature has taken a variety of proactive steps in to protect Luke and other military airports in the state, including the establishment of:

• Enhanced notification requirements of proposed development in the vicinity of military airports.
• Increased disclosure on the sale of land within the vicinity of military airports.
• A chart of compatible land uses within high noise and accident potential zones.
• Sound attenuation standards for development near military airports.
• Statutes prohibiting natural gas storage facilities within nine miles of military airports.
• Zoning protections around auxiliary fields to mirror those around primary military airports.
• A “Military Installation Fund” used to buy land near bases or finance infrastructure improvements.
• Notification to potential homebuyers interested in purchasing homes that are under military training routes of military activity overhead.

When state legislation led to the establishment of noise contour lines around Luke, state and local leaders had the foresight to make the area within the noise lines larger in order to provide the flexibility to accommodate new aircraft and changing training missions.

For example, the current noise contour lines are almost twice as large that what is necessary for Luke’s current F-16 training mission.

In addition to the state statutes already in place, West Valley cities surrounding Luke have protected 32,788 acres from development that would be incompatible with Luke’s training mission.

“Goodyear is proud to be known as ‘The Protector of Luke’s Southern Departure Corridor,’” said Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh. “More than 90 percent of the high noise contour areas around the corridor are in Goodyear and properly zoned now to protect Luke’s mission. We also spent $3.5 million — 10 percent of the city’s operating budget — to buy Duncan Family Farms in 2003 and make sure the departure corridor remains indisputably clear.”

Today, Arizona is recognized as a national model in protecting military facilities. But, in order for this success story to continue, both the public and private sectors must continue to be aggressive in supporting efforts to protect and continue the mission at Luke, Cavanaugh said.

1. Understanding the real dollar impact of Luke and other military operations in Arizona
2. Goodyear’s city council recognizes the importance of Luke Air Force Base and the F-35 mission
3. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training

By Paul Blue

Collaboration and communication are key organizational values at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

As owner and operator of two general aviation airports and a large commercial airport, the city of Phoenix Aviation Department recognizes that delivering world-class customer service to passengers and airport users can only be successful when the community is on our team.

One critical stakeholder to our success is Luke Air Force Base. In any metropolitan area with significant aviation uses, it is important that those users work together.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the sole and absolute discretion for where planes fly. But, if Luke and Phoenix are not discussing common issues and concerns, the potential for an unintended conflict can arise.

To ensure that doesn’t happen, we take a couple of important steps. First, we meet together with all regional aviation users through a forum aptly named the Phoenix Aviation Users Working Group.

Representatives from the airports, military, FAA, general aviation users, commercial aviation users and many other regularly discuss the current status of aviation operations in the Valley. This group has proven to be a good forum to understand and discuss issues important to the aviation community.

Further, as the largest users of the airspace in the community, Luke and the city of Phoenix meet together quarterly to keep the lines of communication open between both organizations. We have dialogue about current operations, growth and any changes planned for our respective facilities and operational areas.

The success of both our respective organizations is greatly influenced by the actions and the operational impacts of the other. We, in Phoenix, believe that Luke and its mission are economically important to the local community and essential to the national defense.  Similarly, Luke has been very supportive of Phoenix Sky Harbor and the aviation operations it serves.

However, communication alone is not enough and collaboration is about action. We have worked actively with Luke, both locally and in Washington D.C., to request that the FAA implement a Special Air Traffic Rule north of Luke that will help create a safer environment for military and civilian aircraft in the Northwest Valley. Also, 10 years ago, the city of Phoenix acquired 925 acres directly off the north end of Luke’s runways to help prevent future encroachment by incompatible land uses.

We have and will continue to work together to ensure that our two operations remain compatible with each other. The FAA has a complex job to manage aviation users in metropolitan Phoenix, including the diverse needs of Sky Harbor and Luke.

The relationship between Phoenix and Luke has been excellent, but only by working together can we continue to achieve the success that the community deserves and expects.

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Paul Blue is the assistant aviation director at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

1. Vice Chair – Tamie Fisher
2. Valley company already benefitting from Military’s Newest F-35 Fighter Jet
3. West Valley cities near Luke make sacrifices to ensure freedom for all Americans

For Sergeant First Class Jason Jacot, the work he does to restore power to Haiti has a permanence unlike that in Iraq. (David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)

That sense of making a concrete difference also was evident in the face of Captain Marques Bruce, 29, a two-tour Iraq veteran from the 82d Airborne Division who recently flew to Port-au-Prince from Fort Bragg, N.C.

Brian MacQuarrie can be reached at b_macquarrie@globe.com.

1. Operation Unified Response: Airmen from Hawaii provide relief for Haiti
2. Haiti recovery and relief effort supported by Global Hawk Surveillance and Reconnaissance

An aerial view of the damaged National Cathedral in Haiti from a U.S. Air Force Global Hawk unmanned aircraft Aerial images are providing U.S. military planners valuable situational awareness as they coordinate U.S. military support to the Haiti relief effort. Courtesy of U.S. Southern Command and Air Force.
An aerial view of the damaged Presidential Palace in Haiti from a U.S. Air Force Global Hawk unmanned aircraft Aerial images are providing U.S. military planners valuable situational awareness as they coordinate U.S. military support to the Haiti relief effort. Courtesy of U.S. Southern Command and Air Force

February 16, 2010 - The Global Hawk team collaborated with other agencies to assist in all aspects of recovery and relief.  Officials and analysts from U.S. Southern Command in Miami, the 548th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Group from Beale Air Force Base, the 480th ISR Wing from Langley Air Force Base, and the Naval Air Systems Command Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstration program from Patuxent River helped provide critically needed imagery and information.

“Thanks to Global Hawk’s highly advanced sensors, which are capable of taking hundreds of images in a single mission, we’ve provided disaster assessments for various agencies to make real-time decisions,” said Gen. Bob Otto, commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif. “The ability to fly 24-hour duration sorties meant the Global Hawk could support hundreds of ad-hoc requests while staying well clear of the relief workers and neighboring airports. Truly, Global Hawk’s capabilities have proven invaluable to the worldwide humanitarian efforts in Haiti.”

U.S. Air Force Block 10 Global Hawk was diverted by the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base from its trip en-route to support usual wartime operations in Afghanistan to assist in relief efforts after Haiti’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12.  A Global Hawk took off from its main operating base at Beale Air Force Base, flew to Haiti, and provided 12 hours of coverage over the disaster area before landing at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. Subsequent missions were launched from Maryland to provide 14 to 16 hours of persistent watch over Haiti before landing back at Patuxent River.

“Not only has Global Hawk helped determine the extent of damages and usability of Haiti’s infrastructure, it has also helped to find and recommend roadways and airfields accessible for delivering emergency supplies and rescuing injured and trapped people,” said George Guerra, Northrop Grumman vice president of high-altitude, long-endurance systems.  “We are committed to supporting the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti for as long as necessary to help rebuild the lives of those affected.”

Capable of flying at altitudes up to 60,000 feet for more than 32 hours at a time at speeds approaching 340 knots, Global Hawk is equipped with an integrated sensor suite, which includes synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors. Global Hawk has supported previous humanitarian relief efforts, including the southern and northern California wildfires in 2007 and 2008, respectively, as well as Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

1. Operation Unified Response: Airmen from Hawaii provide relief for Haiti
2. Haiti Relief and the transition from a combat to humanitarian mindset
3. Missouri Guard sending two airmen to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Dana Hill Soliders from Fort Lee sit aboard a C-17 Globemaster III on Feb. 8 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Through a joint effort by soldiers and airmen from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, servicemembers and cargo are being transported to Haiti as part of Operation Unified Response.

U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Dana Hill Cargo is loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III on Feb. 8 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Through a joint effort by soldiers from Fort Eustis, Va., Fort Lee and airmen from Langley AFB, people and cargo are being transported to Haiti as part of Operation Unified Response.

-By Airman 1st Class Jason J. Brown

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – Airmen and soldiers assigned here and at Fort Lee loaded nearly 70 tons of gear and supplies and more than 70 soldiers aboard two C-17 Globemaster III transports Feb. 8 and 9 in support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti.

The 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron team worked alongside airmen from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and soldiers from Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Forty Lee to load the gear and people aboard C-17s from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Air transporters from the 633rd LRS have worked around the clock since Jan. 14, ensuring the aircraft are properly loaded, said Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony McCray, the squadron’s air terminal operations superintendent. The team performed joint inspections with deploying units and validated all aircraft load plans for proper weight distribution and sequencing.

Soldiers loaded vehicles, palletized cargo and gear as troops from Fort Lee’s 530th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion boarded en route to provide security, fuel systems and water purification management in Haiti.

“The Air Force trains soldiers through an affiliation program how to load aircraft properly,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Harris, a 21st Airlift Squadron loadmaster. “They knew exactly what to do and really helped expedite the process.”

Airmen use planes that are most readily available to carry cargo and people from support bases to Haiti and back. As a result, crews from around the country man aircraft from different bases, all while visiting installations that serve as hubs.

“We need to be able to respond as quickly as possible, so when the alert comes in, we take whatever plane is available,” said Air Force Airman 1st Class Alex Bartels, a loadmaster from Travis who accompanied the Hickam-based C-17. “It saves time and money and helps us be as efficient as possible.”

The Haiti relief operation has kept the 633rd’s airmen very busy.

“Last year, we moved approximately 1,500 tons of cargo,” said Air Force 2nd Lt. Larry Ingersoll, the 633rd LRS officer in charge of air terminal operations. After the Jan. 12 earthquake, the squadron’s airmen moved 746 tons of relief supplies in only 25 days, just 7 percent of the year.

Since the beginning of the operation, 633rd LRS Airmen have loaded 24 aircraft with cargo and more than 200 people bound for Haiti.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jason J. Brown serves in the 633rd Air Base Wing public affairs office.

1. Haiti Relief and the transition from a combat to humanitarian mindset
2. Haiti recovery and relief effort supported by Global Hawk Surveillance and Reconnaissance
3. Missouri Guard sending two airmen to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) is being developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and Britain’s Royal Navy.

Beside the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore and Turkey have joined hands to develop the F-35. Lockheed Martin is the lead developer.

The stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter was designated the F-35 Lightning II in July 2006. The JSF is being built in three variants: a conventional take-off and landing aircraft (CTOL) for the US Air Force; a carrier variant (CV) for the US Navy; and a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy.

India is jointly developing its fifth generation fighter aircraft with Russia and it is likely to be developed by 2017.

Lockheed Martin is one of the six contenders pitching for 126 fourth generation medium multi-role combat aircraft sought by the IAF. The order is valued at approximately $10 billion. The other contenders are from France, Russia, Sweden, Europe and the US.

“We have completed trials for our F-16 IN. We expect other countries will also finish it soon,” Prins added.

Prins said there was a possibility that they would deliver six C 130 J (transport aircrafts) before the delivery schedule.

“There is a possibility that we can deliver in December 2010 against the schedule delivery date of February 2011,” he said.

1. Lockheed Martin F-35 Flew Just 10% of Planned 2009 Tests
2. Lockheed Martin Awarded Millions for Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Radars
3. F135 CTOL/CV engine for the Lockheed F-35 stealth fighter gets ISR

The massive Joint Strike Fighter project is going to be delayed and cost more, the US Deputy Secretary of Defence Bill Lynn says.

But Mr Lynn could not say by how much the cost overruns and delays would increase the price tag for the Australian government, which in November committed $3 billion to buy an initial batch of 14 yet-to-be-completed F-35 warplanes. Australia plans eventually to purchase 100 of the fifth-generation stealth warplanes at a cost of about $16 billion.

“The development was originally projected to last an additional 30 months, we think with the additional test aircraft it will be closer to a delay of about 12 or 13 months but I can’t give you the cost numbers,” Mr Lynn said today during the official opening of a $300 million shipbuilding precinct in South Australia.

Earlier this month Defence Minister John Faulkner said he hoped a restructuring of the JSF program would “stabilise its schedule and cost”.

Mr Lynn said the Obama administration wanted to get the project right.

“When we looked at it as we came into office last year, we thought that some of the costs were underestimated in terms of production, and we thought that development was going to last longer than was originally projected,” Mr Lynn said.

“We have now recosted the production to, we think, a better estimate, and we have taken the development and tried to strengthen it with some additional test aircraft so that we can get it closer to the original schedule.

“We think with those steps it will continue on its path to be the backbone of tactical aviation for both the United States and hopefully Australia.

“The development was definitely going to cost more and the unit costs have gone up. But the important thing was to get it right and budget it right, and that is what we have done.”

Mr Lynn was joined by US Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, and South Australian Premier Mike Rann for the opening of the Techport facility, which includes a common user facility with the largest ship lift in the southern hemisphere.

Techport forms a precinct with ASC, the Maritime Skills Centre and industrial park for suppliers. The adjoining ASC yard was opened in January with its own $120 million shipyard.

The precinct will build 12 next-generation submarines and the Royal Australian Navy’s new air warfare destroyers.

But Mr Rann, who goes to the polls on March 20, stressed the exciting aspect of the precinct was its “ongoing nature … this is not just about the $8 billion air warfare destroyer project”.

“This is going to be the site of a whole series of projects, some of which can be built simultaneously,” he said.

“The state has won $44 billion worth of defence projects in the past five or six years.

“Great US companies like Ratheon, Lockheed have located to South Australia. “This is all about a vision to make South Australia the defence industry hub of our nation and that vision becomes a reality today.”

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program will be delayed by about one year
2. Pentagon underscores commitment to F-35
3. F35 JSF for Operational Testing – Britain Aquiring 3rd STOVL Model