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Team Edwards helps pave way for new F-35 ODIN hardware

  • Published
  • By F-35 Joint Program Office Public Affairs
  • F-35 Joint Program Office
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California --  

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (F-35 JPO), in partnership with Lockheed Martin, fulfilled the next major milestone in the development of the Operational Data Integrated Network (ODIN).

On Sept. 29, 2020, Marines at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Ariz., completed the loading of a single squadron of F-35Bs on new modernized ODIN hardware. Later that day, the USMC flew the first flight supported by the new hardware and flew four more flights the following day. The new modern hardware is running the most current version of the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and is designed to host future ODIN applications. Successful operation at MCAS Yuma validates the next-generation servers as a viable successor to the aging ALIS system and provides a significant performance upgrade to F-35 units.

“The Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, were part of the Logistics Test and Evaluation (LT&E) event for the ODIN Base Kit (OBK) executed at Patuxent NAS during Aug. 31 - 10 Sept. 10, before the OBK was shipped to Yuma MCAS for operational testing,” explained Mary Parker, Deputy Director for Logistics, F-35 ITF.


“The OBK hardware, with currently fielded ALIS Release 3.5.2.2 software, supported two weeks of live Flight Test operations with superb supportability evaluation results,” Parker added. “There was positive feedback from the maintainers on the flight line for the system speed of all ALIS applications.” 

As was announced earlier this year, ODIN is the planned replacement for ALIS. ODIN is a cloud-native system that incorporates a new integrated data environment and a new suite of user-centered applications; it will be a significant step forward to improve F-35 fleet’s sustainment and readiness performance. ODIN is being designed to substantially decrease F-35 administrator and maintainer workload, increase mission capability rates for all F-35 variants, and allow software engineers to rapidly develop and deploy updates in response to emerging warfighter requirements.

“Different from ALIS, ODIN is an F-35 Joint Program Office-led effort leveraging government and industry partners such as Kessel Run, the 309th Software Engineering Group, Naval Information Warfare Center, Lockheed Martin, and Pratt and Whitney,” said Lt Gen Eric Fick, F-35 Program Executive Officer. “ODIN will leverage the agile software development and delivery practices piloted by Kessel Run and investments by Lockheed Martin to better posture our F-35 fleet to increase and maintain a high readiness rate in order to meet its operational requirements.”

ODIN’s new hardware brings numerous improvements to ALIS. Immediately obvious is its reduced size. While existing ALIS servers comprise of a full person-height rack of electronics and require additional backup power modules, the ODIN-enabled hardware fits within two transportable cases – roughly the size of two pieces of carry-on luggage. This smaller ‘footprint’ also brings significant weight reduction – from more than 800 lbs. for an ALIS server, to two modules each weighing under 70 lbs. for ODIN.

ODIN hardware also brings significant performance improvements while running ALIS. Performance testing of ODIN showed a reduction in the administrative workload and significantly reduced processing times compared to fielded ALIS servers (>50% decrease) – reducing the maintainers’ workload by making system interactions quicker. The testing also demonstrated a significant reduction in the time required to configure the system for use in a new environment and transfer aircraft.

“The Portable Memory Device (PMD) debrief time was twice as fast as the PMD Debrief on the ALIS deployable Squadron Operating Unit (SOUv2-Unclassified – aka the ALIS Server).  There was a significant reduction in OBK hardware logistics footprint, with the OBK being one-quarter the size of the SOUv2-U,” Parker said. “There were favorable supportability results for the Integrated Product Support (IPS) measures. Overall, the limited Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) of the OBK with one aircraft at PAX was very successful.”

The successful validation testing of the new ODIN hardware is an important step to delivering the modern maintenance and logistics system that F-35 operators and maintainers need.

(Editor's note: Giancarlo Casem, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report. Original story courtesy of F-35 Joint Program Office)

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.