F-35 Program Head Expresses 'Great Confidence' in Stealth, Sensors

AOL Defense ^ | 3/8/2012 | AOL Defense

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The program executive officer for the problem-plagued F-35 said Thursday he has "great confidence" the multi-service fighter can deliver the oft-promised stealth and the sophisticated package of sensors.

Vice Adm. David Venlet said he has "measured data" to show that.

In a late afternoon address to an audience of defense and financial industry representatives, Venlet said all the current problems with the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft that have been highlighted in the media and congressional hearings "are in the normal range of fighter aircraft development."

The problems Venlet cited included the sophisticated helmet that should allow the pilot to see on a visor all the flight information and sensor readings needed to fly and fight the aircraft, which has experienced flutter in the projected imagery and poor night vision. While the contractor works on those problems, the program office is funding a possible alternative, he said.

"We're going to work all of them long enough and hard enough until we get them right," he said.

The admiral said expected solutions to the design problem that cause the tail hook on the carrier version to skip over the arresting wire have been developed and will be tested this summer.

[Yo-Yo]

Yeah, well how’s that HUDless HMD working out for ya, eh?

[USNBandit]

That would have to have some really good stabilization to not give you vertigo in IMC conditions.

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Great Helmet.The sensors that can track and target a nearby aircraft from any orientation, provide the information to the pilot through his helmet.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:F-35_Helmet_Mounted_Display_System.jpg

[Yo-Yo]

Thanks, U, I'm well familiar with the HMD. However, the actual hardware is having a real hard time living up to its hype.

F-35′s NEW HELMET NOT WHAT WAS PROMISED

Trouble with the F-35 helmet

Lockheed Shops For JSF Helmet Alternatives

BAE Systems to provide new helmet display for F-35 pilots

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The technology is relatively new so I will cut it some slack.

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ELP Defense Blog mentioned it so eloquently:

The helmet woes point to a larger problem (besides the usual sloppy program management that has made the F-35 infamous). That problem is the huge amounts of software needed for the jet.