There is no truth to the rumor that the video clip below depicts the moments immediately after former F-35 program director Brig Gen David Heinz's final meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
We are sure that this sled test of the F-35 ejection seat shows the system has made progress since malfunctions derailed flight tests temporarily in late 2008. Monthly assessment reports by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) revealed the ejection seat problems:
"As of 12 Dec 08, aircraft testing has been impacted as a result of engine and ejection seat anomalies. Seat anomalies were observed in the ejection sequence during an escape system sled test on 20 Nov 08, with two successive failures occurring during subsequent qualification testing. An investigation revealed that the ejection seat sequencer failed to function properly and the ejection seat operated in back-up mode. Data indicates a communications fault during sequencer power-up -- bench testing has shown that the sequencer is fully functional following the communications fault."
BAE Systems now says the system has completed tests of the ejection seat in full-scale mock-up of the nose section at 600mph.
We are sure that this sled test of the F-35 ejection seat shows the system has made progress since malfunctions derailed flight tests temporarily in late 2008. Monthly assessment reports by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) revealed the ejection seat problems:
"As of 12 Dec 08, aircraft testing has been impacted as a result of engine and ejection seat anomalies. Seat anomalies were observed in the ejection sequence during an escape system sled test on 20 Nov 08, with two successive failures occurring during subsequent qualification testing. An investigation revealed that the ejection seat sequencer failed to function properly and the ejection seat operated in back-up mode. Data indicates a communications fault during sequencer power-up -- bench testing has shown that the sequencer is fully functional following the communications fault."
BAE Systems now says the system has completed tests of the ejection seat in full-scale mock-up of the nose section at 600mph.
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