“Bombs away: Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter can’t escape software problems,” RT, 24 January 2014

The Pentagon’s chief weapons tester, Michael Gilmore, provided an in-depth look at the F-35’s technical features, emphasizing what he calls the “unacceptable” characteristics of the aircraft’s software, according to a draft obtained by Reuters.  …

“Initial results with the new increment of Block 2B software indicate deficiencies still exist in fusion, radar, electronic warfare, navigation, electro-optical target system, distributed aperture system, helmet-mounted display system, and datalink,” the report said.

The software issued too many “nuisance warnings” that resulted in “poor sensor performance,” the report said, adding that Lockheed Martin had delivered F-35 jets with 50 percent or less of the software capabilities as stipulated by its contract with the Pentagon.

Due to the high number of technical problems, the 2B software overhaul would not be finished until November 2015 – 13 months later than originally planned, the report forecast. This would delay release to the F-35 fleet until July 2016, a year after the Marine Corps anticipated using the aircraft. …

Gilmore, who has been an outspoken critic of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program with a price tag of $392 billion for 2,443 aircraft, said engineers were still grappling with the problem of integrating the jet’s “mission systems,” or avionics and weapons required for engaging the enemy.

The onboard logistics system known as ALIS – which is defined as the “information infrastructure for the F-35” on Lockheed’s website – was said to contain “serious deficiencies” and “failed to meet even basic requirements.” At the same time, the report said the aircraft’s heavy reliance on a vast web of electronics made it a target for not only enemy fire, but lightning as well. …

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, which started in 2001, is 70 percent over initial cost estimates, and years behind schedule. And despite its fantastic price tag, the F-35 has even failed to generate the number of jobs its proponents had originally promised to Congress.

Earlier this week, the Center for International Policy said Lockheed had “greatly exaggerated” its claim that the F-35 program will sustain 125,000 American jobs in 46 US states in an effort to win support for the program.  …

Read the full article here.