
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will begin its formal operational test and evaluation process with the goal of achieving full rate production by late 2019, the joint program office announced Dec. 6.The Joint Strike Fighter Operational Test Team (JOTT) will conduct the formal IOT&E effort with its international partners under the oversight of the independent Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the JPO said Thursday. Some pre-IOT&E events already occurred in 2018, including cold weather operations, weapons demonstrations, suitability…