F-35 is cleared for ground operations

The F-35 fleet has been cleared by the Joint Program Office for ground operations. The F-35s were grounded this month because of a problem with a control valve.

The F-35 fleet was grounded August 3 after a valve in the Integrated Power Package (IPP) of aircraft AF-4 failed. The IPP is a a sort of super generator that provides power to start the engine and cools the plane.

The Joint Program Office which manages the F-35 program was clearly eager to let the public know that they’ve found the cause of the failure. But they were cautious about when a return to flight will occur.

“While initiating DT ground operations is a major step for the F-35 fleet returning to flight, further reviews are required prior to lifting the suspension of flight operations for the 20 F-35s currently in flying status,” JPO spokesman Joe DellaVedova said in a statement.

On a related news, the fleet of F-22s remains grounded until the results of a probe into possible issues related to the aircraft oxygen system are available. The Air Force grounded the F-22 fleet in May 3 because of concerns that the plane’s oxygen system – crucial for the high-flying plane – was causing hypoxia in pilots. Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. John Haynes said no root cause has been found for the problem yet and none is expected until the safety board completes its investigation, expected in early fall.

Source: defense.aol.com

Lockheed awarded $726.6M contract for F-22 Raptor sustainment

Lockheed Martin Corp. has received a $726.6 million contract modification from the U.S. Air Force for sustainment of the F-22 Raptor fleet.

This modification is for the 2011 Follow-On Agile Sustainment for the Raptor (FASTeR) sustainment contract, which was awarded initially in 2008, with an option for2009 that was exercised. A follow-on modification was issued for 2010.

FASTeR is a Performance-Based Logistics contract providing weapon systems sustainment of the F-22 fleet at all operational bases for the 2011 calendar year, including training systems, customer support, integrated support planning, supply chain management, aircraft modifications and heavy maintenance, sustained engineering, support products and systems engineering.

In 2010, the U.S. Air Force deployed the Raptor around the world, including to Guam, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. In January, F-22s from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, flew 100 percent of scheduled sorties during a deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan.

“The Raptor is one of the U.S. Air Force’s most highly deployed aircraft by fleet percentage, and ensures that the United States and its allies can control the skies and access heavily defended theaters,” said Scott Gray, vice president of sustainment for Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Program.

F-22 Raptors are assigned to seven U.S. bases. Flight testing takes place at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot training occurs at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational F-22 aircraft are assigned to Langley AFB, Va.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Holloman AFB, N.M.; and Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

- air-attack