The Air Force continues to build momentum toward declaring the F-35A battle ready next year by starting pilot training using Lockheed Martin-built [LMT] simulators of the jet’s full mission capabilities.
Four of the Full Mission Simulators have been delivered to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, where F-35 pilot trainees are using them to practice flying the aircraft against air and ground threats. The simulators are linked together so pilots can interact with their wingmen during virtual combat sorties.
The 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base will be the first operational F-35A squadron and will reach combat readiness in August, the Air Force’s target date for initial operational capability for its conventional version of the aircraft.
The first two F-35As landed at Hill in September. The base will receive up to 70 additional jets on a staggered basis through 2019.
Hill is also home to the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, which provides logistics, support, maintenance and distribution for the F-35. The 570th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, activated in June, is responsible for depot-level maintenance, restoration and modification on the F-35 Lightning II, and works under a public-private partnership with Lockheed Martin.
Delivery of simulators is a key element of Lockheed’s scope of work in building and delivering the F-35 to the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. While not able to replace live flights, training in simulation can teach pilot the basics of handling the F-35 at a much lower cost than training pilots in the F-35.
“The F-35 is going to be an incredible advancement in our capability as an Air Force, and the Full Mission Simulators present an environment to adequately challenge our pilots as they prepare for combat,” Lt. Col. George Watkins, commander of the 34th Fighter Squadron, said in a prepared statement.
The full-mission simulators are the centerpiece of the F-35 Training System designed to maximize simulation for effectiveness and affordability. A total 191 suppliers contribute to the F-35 training system.
To date, 143 pilots and 846 maintainers for the Air Force have qualified through the F-35 Training System. By August 2016, more than 190 F-35 pilots and 1,000 maintenance personnel for the Air Force will be mission ready, according to Lockheed
“All the pieces of the technology puzzle are coming together to support the Air Force’s F-35 mission readiness,” said Mary Ann Horter, vice president of F-35 Sustainment Support at Lockheed Martin. “Airmen at Hill Air Force Base are launching the future of aviation, and our focus is supporting them with the most effective training and logistics technologies.”
The program reached a major milestone Dec. 3 when the first Italian-built F-35A rolled off the line at the final assembly and checkout (FACO) in Cameri, Italy. The first Italian F-35A, designated AL-1, makes Italy the sixth nation to receive and F-35. Aside from the U.S. military, the others to date are Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, the U.K.