ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Lockheed Martin said Tuesday its F-35 Lightning II has passed its Pilot Training System Critical Design Review.
Lockheed Martin said it was "a significant development milestone that verifies the design maturity of the pilot training system and its subcomponents."
"The review, conducted by Lockheed Martin's Simulation & Support in Orlando, included representatives from the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office, the F-35 contractor team, members of the U.S. military services and the F-35 international partner services," the company said in a statement. "Completion of the CDR is a prerequisite for the Pilot Training System to move into the implementation phase, which includes software and hardware development. The corresponding maintainer training system CDR will be held in the fourth quarter of 2008."
"The results of our pilot training systems design review helps ensure that pilots get the most comprehensive, technologically advanced integrated schoolhouse possible including simulator and classroom training," said Dale Bennett, Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support president.
Lockheed Martin said the F-35 pilot training system provided "a next-generation training curriculum that includes a Full Mission Simulator with a 360-degree field-of-view, desktop simulation exercises, courseware lessons and flight events. The curriculum is tracked and scheduled using Training and Learning Management System software. "
"A unique characteristic of the F-35 pilot training system is its reuse of aircraft software for the simulators and air system data for the courseware," said JoAnne Puglisi, Lockheed Martin F-35 training system director. "This level of reuse enables high fidelity and also reduces software and courseware development and life cycle support costs."
The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter that is planned to succeed the U.S. AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and British Harrier GR-7s and Sea Harriers.
Lockheed Martin is building the F-35 Lightning II with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
