In a landmark achievement for the F-35 Lightning II program, the final Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) event was successfully completed on September 21st. This pivotal phase of testing took place in the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE), marking a significant milestone in the development of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
The JSE, a complex network of simulators designed to emulate a real-world battlefield environment, played a central role in this historic event. It offers a unique blend of realism and versatility that is indispensable for thoroughly assessing the capabilities of advanced military aircraft systems. Importantly, it significantly supplements the traditional open-air testing procedures, making it a crucial asset in the aircraft’s evolution.
“The event was truly a multinational success,” noted WGCDR Leigh Wrighton-Jones of the Royal Australian Air Force, who serves as the F-35 IOT&E and JSE lead for the Joint Strike Fighter Operational Test Team (JOTT). This cooperative effort involved key leadership positions filled by Australian and United Kingdom members, highlighting the collaborative nature of the exercise.
The JSE is a high-fidelity, government-owned modeling and simulation environment that provides a platform for testing and training on fifth-plus generation aircraft. It introduces an element of high-fidelity, high-end training and testing within a secure and realistic setting, which is unattainable during open-air testing.
“The JSE provides a venue for realistic test and training,” explained Brig. Gen. Trey Rawls, AFOTEC Commander. “It is the only place to do ultra high-fidelity, high-end training as well as complex testing in a secure, realistic environment.”
Moreover, the JSE has grown beyond its initial role, expanding its compatibility with various weapons systems. This expansion is pivotal for providing warfighters with a common synthetic environment, which helps bridge training gaps and better prepare future airmen for combat.
One of the critical precursors to the final F-35 IOT&E missions was the extensive Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) process of the JSE. After encountering schedule delays, a non-traditional VV&A approach was recommended in late 2022. The JOTT team played a pivotal role in accelerating the accreditation process, and the JSE earned its official accreditation on September 1st, 2023.
The final F-35 IOT&E test event, executed in the JSE and in conjunction with open-air testing, subjected the aircraft to a high-density advanced threat environment, a condition not easily replicated elsewhere. This exposure provided the F-35 fleet units with valuable insights into operating in a high-threat setting, a critical aspect of their training.
The results from the final F-35 IOT&E, analyzed in the JSE alongside open-air testing data, will play a decisive role in assessing the aircraft’s mission effectiveness, including its lethality, survivability, and overall mission success. This comprehensive evaluation is expected to be instrumental in the decision to authorize F-35 full-rate production.
Furthermore, the significance of the Joint Simulation Environment continues to grow, with plans to extend its scope and capabilities. As a testament to its critical role in the readiness and deployment of the U.S. Department of Defense, the JSE has become its own program of record. AFOTEC, in partnership with the Navy, Air Combat Command, and allies, will continue to foster the JSE’s development to fully realize its potential in training and testing advanced military aircraft systems.
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