Final report on F-35 dropped references to fuel, IT problems

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/national/Final+report+dropped+references+fuel+problems/9734295/story.html



Final report on F-35 dropped references to fuel, IT problems
Postmedia News April 13, 2014

OTTAWA — A Defence Department report billed as the first step in a more open, transparent era for the F-35 project initially listed many of the stealth fighter’s problems – such as issues around fuel efficiency and software development – but those sections were removed in the final version.

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Fuel Consumption: The F-35 consumes 26-per-cent more fuel than Canada’s current jet fighter, the CF-18. Public Works and National Defence did not respond to questions last week about why the stealth fighter uses so much more fuel than the CF-18s, which were designed in the 1970s. Rising fuel costs are a concern for militaries around the world, particularly when it comes to aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force has said it plans to fly the F-35s about 20-per-cent less per year than the CF-18s to keep costs down, making up the difference with simulators.

Software Development: The is listed as the “main challenge” facing the F-35 in the very first draft of the report, and repeatedly cited as an issue in later drafts, until being removed altogether. The stealth fighter contains about 8 million lines of code, which is more than any other fighter aircraft. The software is essential for everything from flying the F-35, to communications, to using its weapons. Some versions of the report express optimism that the problems will be resolved before Canada gets its first stealth fighter, but others say there is “a risk that, despite the time available before Canada’s first anticipated aircraft delivery, they may not be completed.” U.S. congressional auditors wrote last month that significant software development problems persist, threatening to create further delays in the fighter being ready for operation.

Helmet Development: A state-of-the-art helmet is essential for pilots to fly the F-35 safely and in a way that maximizes its full potential. However, the helmet’s development has been a serious problem for years. Defence officials acknowledged this in early versions of the report, describing it as a “high risk,” and noting an alternate helmet was being designed and could be used as a “stop gap until the primary helmet is ready.” There is no mention of helmets in the final version.