Initial flight tests of the Northrop Grumman electro-optical distributed aperture system sensors for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter have proved three sensors will “function simultaneously to provide a seamless, combined wide field of view,” says Northrop officials. The company flew the sensors aboard its BAC 1-11 avionics testbed aircraft. The full F-35 suite comprises six EO-DAS sensors—designated AN/AAQ-37. Northrop plans to deliver the first complete suite to aircraft developer Lockheed Martin in April. The imagery from the three test sensors was “outstanding,” says Northrop’s Joe Ensor.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
