Air Force evaluators began the final certification process for full-up F-35A training at Eglin AFB, Fla. A cadre of four pilots on Sept. 10 commenced the operational utility evaluation, which is dry run of every facet of Eglin’s F-35 training pipeline. “The start of the OUE is another huge milestone for the Air Force and the program as a whole,” said Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander, who oversees Eglin’s joint F-35 schoolhouse. Training officials at Eglin originally intended to launch the OUE last October and begin training operational F-35 pilots this past January. Instead, Air Force officials didn’t clear the F-35A to begin flight operations at Eglin until the end of February, bumping the OUE back. Following the 65-day OUE, “we should receive the Air Education and Training Command’s approval that states we are ‘ready for training,'” added Toth. (Eglin report by Chrissy Cuttita)
The Pentagon's list of 14 top technology priorities has been slimmed to six, to ensure they get the attention they need, Defense Research and Engineering director Emil Michael announced. Changes may be coming in authorities for funding them, as well.
