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F-35 JSF avionics test bed arrives at Edwards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Hernandez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program's Cooperative Avionics Test Bed aircraft landed here March 1 to perform equipment fit checks and verify the operation of Edwards facilities built specifically for the CATB. 

The CATB is a Boeing 737-300 specially modified to perform mission systems testing for the F-35 program. 

"It is a six-year program that will test all the F-35 systems at once for early risk reduction," said Mark Burke, CATB project manager. "Testing will be performed at various locations including Fort Worth (Texas), Eglin (Air Force Base, Fla.), Edwards, China Lake (Naval Air Station, Calif.) and Point Mugu (NAS, Calif). The tests will enable us to find avionics problems early and reduce the workload on the F-35. If there is a hardware or software problem, we will find it early." 

One flight on the CATB saves the F-35 an estimated four flights, Mr. Burke said. The avionics-test-bed flights will save the F-35 from flying about 300 missions. 

Extensive modifications were done to the CATB to accommodate the full array of avionics that will be installed on an F-35, said Retired Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company F-35 Integrated Test Force vice president and former Air Force Flight Test Center commander. 

British Aerospace Systems and Lockheed Martin performed the modifications in Mojave, Calif., Mr. Pearson said. 

Lockheed completed the first round of modifications and put the entire infrastructure in the airplane. 

"We've been flying for the last six weeks and concluded that the aircraft is airworthy," Mr. Pearson said. 

The modifications to the CATB include a sensor wing ahead of the 737 main wing as well as added structures on top and bottom of the aircraft to accommodate other JSF avionics systems, Mr. Pearson said. The front of the airplane has a modified nose representing the F-35 nose. 

"We will also install the F-35's radar on the CATB and take the avionics test bed with the F-35 systems airborne so we can conduct testing in a fairly realistic flying environment," he said. 

The CATB aircraft returned to Fort Worth on March 2 to have further modifications made, Mr. Pearson said. 

"A lot of the testing will be flown out of Fort Worth," said Tim Cacanindin, Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force mission systems lead engineer. "They have similar laboratories on the ground that will be involved in installing the F-35 avionics systems. The CATB will deploy to Edwards by the end of this year and periodically after that. 

"Testing will probably continue all the way through 2013 for the aircraft's system development and demonstration phase," he said. "Lockheed Martin hopes to keep flying the CATB well after that to continue developing new systems before they are installed on the F-35." 

The Boeing 737-300, Mr. Pearson said, was chosen for avionics testing for a number of reasons including the fact the aircraft can fly long ranges and is capable of carrying necessary equipment such as the F-35 systems. The aircraft will also accommodate 20 work stations inside for conducting tests. 

"An incredible amount of engineering work has gone into modifying the CATB," Mr. Cacanindin said. "I believe the CATB will be the most capable test bed developed for any fighter program. Most test beds only have some of the systems of a fighter. This aircraft almost exactly duplicates the F-35 avionics. 

"It will be a tremendous asset to the F-35 program," he said.

Slide show

F-35 JSF avionics test bed arrives at Edwards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Hernandez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program's Cooperative Avionics Test Bed aircraft landed here March 1 to perform equipment fit checks and verify the operation of Edwards facilities built specifically for the CATB. 

The CATB is a Boeing 737-300 specially modified to perform mission systems testing for the F-35 program. 

"It is a six-year program that will test all the F-35 systems at once for early risk reduction," said Mark Burke, CATB project manager. "Testing will be performed at various locations including Fort Worth (Texas), Eglin (Air Force Base, Fla.), Edwards, China Lake (Naval Air Station, Calif.) and Point Mugu (NAS, Calif). The tests will enable us to find avionics problems early and reduce the workload on the F-35. If there is a hardware or software problem, we will find it early." 

One flight on the CATB saves the F-35 an estimated four flights, Mr. Burke said. The avionics-test-bed flights will save the F-35 from flying about 300 missions. 

Extensive modifications were done to the CATB to accommodate the full array of avionics that will be installed on an F-35, said Retired Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company F-35 Integrated Test Force vice president and former Air Force Flight Test Center commander. 

British Aerospace Systems and Lockheed Martin performed the modifications in Mojave, Calif., Mr. Pearson said. 

Lockheed completed the first round of modifications and put the entire infrastructure in the airplane. 

"We've been flying for the last six weeks and concluded that the aircraft is airworthy," Mr. Pearson said. 

The modifications to the CATB include a sensor wing ahead of the 737 main wing as well as added structures on top and bottom of the aircraft to accommodate other JSF avionics systems, Mr. Pearson said. The front of the airplane has a modified nose representing the F-35 nose. 

"We will also install the F-35's radar on the CATB and take the avionics test bed with the F-35 systems airborne so we can conduct testing in a fairly realistic flying environment," he said. 

The CATB aircraft returned to Fort Worth on March 2 to have further modifications made, Mr. Pearson said. 

"A lot of the testing will be flown out of Fort Worth," said Tim Cacanindin, Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force mission systems lead engineer. "They have similar laboratories on the ground that will be involved in installing the F-35 avionics systems. The CATB will deploy to Edwards by the end of this year and periodically after that. 

"Testing will probably continue all the way through 2013 for the aircraft's system development and demonstration phase," he said. "Lockheed Martin hopes to keep flying the CATB well after that to continue developing new systems before they are installed on the F-35." 

The Boeing 737-300, Mr. Pearson said, was chosen for avionics testing for a number of reasons including the fact the aircraft can fly long ranges and is capable of carrying necessary equipment such as the F-35 systems. The aircraft will also accommodate 20 work stations inside for conducting tests. 

"An incredible amount of engineering work has gone into modifying the CATB," Mr. Cacanindin said. "I believe the CATB will be the most capable test bed developed for any fighter program. Most test beds only have some of the systems of a fighter. This aircraft almost exactly duplicates the F-35 avionics. 

"It will be a tremendous asset to the F-35 program," he said.

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.