The U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) completed accreditation of the Joint Simulation Environment, a milestone necessary for the eventual authorization of full-rate production of the F-35 Lighting II.
The U.S. Air Force reported that the last of 64 missions required to accredit the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) was successfully completed on Sept. 21, allowing the Joint Strike Fighter Operational Test Team (JOTT) to complete the F-35 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.
The JSE simulates a complex system of sensors and platforms within a virtual battlespace. It is a scalable, expandable, high-fidelity government-owned, non-proprietary modeling and simulation environment to conduct testing on fifth-plus generation aircraft and systems accreditable for test as a supplement to open-air testing.
“A balance exists between execution of test and training in a live-fly environment versus what can only be executed in the joint simulation environment,” said Brig. Gen. Trey Rawls, AFOTEC Commander. “The JSE is a collection of connected networked simulators that allows for pilots of different aircraft to train together virtually. It is the only place to do ultra high-fidelity, high-end training as well as complex testing in a secure, realistic environment.”
“JSE provides a venue for realistic test and training,” said Rawls. “The platform was designed for F-35 IOT&E but has demonstrated such a tremendous capability to support future test and training of all future acquisition programs. JSE is expanding to incorporate platforms relevant for high-end adversarial test and training. Expanding the JSE environment compatibility to current and future weapons systems will give warfighters a common synthetic environment to fill training gaps and better prepare future airmen for combat.”
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Analysis of the final F-35 IOT&E results at the JSE, along with outdoor testing, will provide a comprehensive assessment of the F-35’s mission effectiveness, in terms of lethality, survivability, and overall mission success. This will inform the decision to authorize full-rate production of the F-35 Lighting II.
