(Luft) Lockheed Martin F-35 - Lightning II

[Quintus Fabius]

Hier noch was aktuelles zur Software der F-35:

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Flights of two F-35 test jets have begun here with a software patch to explore the effectiveness of upgrades designed to improve the “fusion” of the threat picture within multi-aircraft F-35 formations.

Data fusion would seem to be simple, as the use of mobile telephones with fused data applications is widespread. However, for the F-35, the data must be extremely precise—the system cannot confuse a school bus for a mobile missile erector, for example. The threat data relies on thousands of mission files that cue the F-35’s software, indicating what objects are (a surface-to-air missile site, enemy radar, enemy vehicle, etc.).

Test pilots have reported problems when targets on the display have more than one symbol—a sign the system has not “fused” the inputs on that particular target. Or in some cases, not all wingmen are seeing everything the other pilots in their formation are viewing on the displays.

This latest patch—called the “engineering test build” or ETB by testers—is not a full software release. It is akin to an update one might implement on a mobile telephone and is geared specifically to address multiship fusion shortcomings.

Originally, the program called for fielding the jet with its more-robust 3F software. With 3F, pilots can use external weapons stores, the infrared search-and-track function of the Electro-Optical Targeting System and a wider variety of weapons. However, obstacles earlier in development prompted the Pentagon to prioritize the B version, which was optimized for Marine Corps’ short takeoff and vertical landing—and allow for IOC with this baseline software.

Thus far, the F-35 is about 60% through development, which is slated to finish in 2017.