Challenges and Lessons Learned During the F-16E/F block 60 Flight Test Program

Jeffrey G. Canclini, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Flight Operations, USA
Nicholas H. Evans, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Flight Operations, USA

Abstract

The changing world environment of international partners combined with advancing technology is leading to more programs conducting test flights simultaneously at multiple locations. Rapid advances in information technology and computational capability, combined with ubiquitous air travel and overnight airfreight, help make this feasible. Still, there are challenges ensuring required resources, test personnel, test assets, subject matter experts, and connectivity are available across dispersed geographic locations. This presentation offers some lessons learned from the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company F- 16E/F Block 60 developmental flight test program. The Block 60 is a new design model of the venerable F-16 aircraft line. During the latter part of the program, tests were conducted with aircraft based at three sites, including one outside the U.S, and deployments to a fourth site. This presentation will describe some the processes developed during this program to efficiently complete a comprehensive developmental flight test flight program. It will also review some of the “hiccups” and lessons learned.