HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah,
Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As
the U.S. Air Force prepares for initial F-35 Lightning II
operations, pilots at Hill Air Force Base are rehearsing missions
with new simulators delivered by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT).
Pilots are now training with four Full Mission Simulators linked
together to hone their tactical employment of the F-35 against
ground and airborne threats. As a complement to live flights, the
Full Mission Simulators present a secure, realistic environment for
pilots to develop tactics and integrate the F-35 into the Air
Force's arsenal. The 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base
is the first operational F-35A squadron and will reach combat
readiness in August 2016.
"The F-35 is going to be an incredible advancement in our
capability as an Air Force, and the Full Mission Simulators present
an environment to adequately challenge our pilots as they prepare
for combat," said Lt. Col. George
Watkins, 34th Fighter Squadron Commander.
"All the pieces of the technology puzzle are coming together to
support the Air Force's F-35 mission readiness," said Mary Ann Horter, vice president of F-35
Sustainment Support at Lockheed Martin. "Airmen at Hill Air Force
Base are launching the future of aviation, and our focus is
supporting them with the most effective training and logistics
technologies."
To date, 143 pilots and 846 maintainers for the Air Force have
qualified through the F-35 Training System. By August 2016, more than 190 F-35 pilots and 1,000
maintenance personnel for the Air Force will be mission ready.
The Full Mission Simulators are the centerpiece of the F-35
Training System designed to maximize simulation for effectiveness
and affordability. Currently, 191 suppliers contribute to the F-35
Training System. The F-35 program is built on extensive industrial
participation to generate economic growth in F-35 nations and
deliver the best value.
The F-35 Lightning II, a 5th generation fighter, combines
advanced low observable stealth technology with fighter speed and
agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations
and advanced sustainment. Following the Marine Corps' 2015
combat-ready Initial Operational Capability (IOC) declaration, the
U.S. Air Force and Navy intend to attain service IOC in 2016 and
2018, respectively.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.f35.com
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that – with the addition of
Sikorsky – employs approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin