F-35: 2012 put the F-35 program ahead of the curve

And for the naysayers that doubt it, here are a list of accomplishments for the year as outlined by Aerotech News:

• U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the end of probation for the F-35B STOVL, nearly one year ahead of schedule.
• The first two international F-35s were delivered to the United Kingdom.
• The first three operational F-35B STOVL fighters delivered in November marked the beginning of tactical operational training at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
• 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., completed its Operational Utility Evaluation (OUE) and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) officials announced that the wing is ready for pilot training in 2013. The wing flew more than 700 sorties in 2012.
• Norway procured its first F-35 commencing the largest public procurement project in its history. The event was marked by Minister of Defence Espen Barth Eide authorizing the order for the first F-35A for the Norwegian Armed Forces.
• Luke AFB was selected for F-35A U.S. and international pilot training. The base will receive 72 aircraft for three fighter squadrons.
• Major flight test accomplishments included the first aerial weapons release for the CTOL and STOVL; the F-35A reached maximum high-angle-of-attack milestone in four flights; the first night flight and night refueling missions were accomplished and both the CTOL and STOVL completed air-start testing.
• F-35 program surpassed 5,000 flight hours.

Additionally, the 33rd Fighter Wing piled up some significant accomplishements:

• Jan. 11- VMFAT-501 received the first two F-35B aircraft, tail numbers BF-6 and BF-8
• Feb. 24 – VMFAT-501 conducted the F-35B rollout ceremony. Florida Representative Jeff Miller, Mr. Stephens, Lockheed Martin CEO, and Gen Dunford, Assistant Commandant for the Marine Corps attended as guest speakers
• March 6 – Lt Col Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron, Director of Operations, flew the first F-35 sortie in tail number 08-0750, after the 33 FW was issued Military Flight Release and all flight certificates.
• April 10 – Pilots flew first F-35A Lightning II formation flight.
• April 16 – Academic training center begins formal F-35 maintenance training
• May 1 – Navy squadron VFA-101 reactivated at the 33 FW.
• May 22 – VMFAT-501 accomplished the first local flight in an F-35B.
• May 31 – First non-test pilot in the Air Force checks out in F-35 flight operations.
• July 11 – 33 FW accomplished 100th sortie: 74 in F-35A and 26 in F-35B
• July 16 – Maj Jay Spohn became the Air National Guard’s first F-35 pilot and instructor pilot
• July 23 – The first United Kingdom joint strike fighter arrives
• Sept. 10 – Air Force F-35A Operational Utility Evaluation begins
• Sept. 10 – 33rd FW maintainers certify on F-35A engine runs
• Oct. 15 – Air Force Chief of Staff visits F-35 integrated training center
• Oct. 15 – The 33rd FW completes the 500th sortie
• Nov. 16 – Marine Corps Air Station Yuma receives first F-35B
• Nov. 20 – First two Marine Corps Yuma pilots complete F-35 training at Eglin
• Dec. 17 – AETC declares Eglin ready for training

Finally, a review of the totals for the year:

Lockheed also said the goal for their 2012 flight test plan called for 988 flights and 8,458 test points by Dec. 31. For the year, the SDD program flew 1,167 flights and tallied 9,319 test points. The F-35A Flight Science test aircraft flew 291 flights and accomplished 2,573 test points. The F-35B Flight Science test aircraft accomplished 396 flights and 2,443 test points. The F-35C flew 239 flights and tallied 2,247 test points. The Mission Systems test aircraft accomplished 241 flights and 2,056 test points. The F-35B also executed 102 vertical landings.

In fact, the program exceeded its plan in all areas.   The flight test program is now one-third complete (with the A variant at 43%).  Software block 2B will begin flight testing this year.  And, as mentioned yesterday, the plan is to finish development by 2016.

Not exactly the faltering, foundering program critics would like you to believe it is, is it?

@Graff48099375