US operational evaluators are concerned by the impact of funding instability on the testing of new weapon systems. The latest annual report by the Department of Defense's director of operational test and evaluation highlights concerns caused by funding constraints on the testing of the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor and Boeing/ Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche.
The report, on operational testing activity in fiscal year 1999, says F-22 flight testing "is progressing about as expected, and flight and engine performance are matching expectations". But "major risks and challenges" remain in the avionics area as 20 test months have been lost because of delays in delivery of flight test aircraft.
Concerns with the Comanche centre on deferral of most testing to later in the development programme, because of funding constraints. Solutions for a tail buffet/directional stability problem are still under test, and there are concerns that addition of the mast-mounted radar and larger rotor will exacerbate the problem.
Other 1999 testing issues outlined in the report include:
• Lockheed Martin C-130J - multiple software anomalies (major upgrades are under way);
• Boeing C-17 - challenges faced in reducing the strategic brigade airdrop formation spacing;
• Northrop Grumman E-2C - immaturity of new systems in the Hawkeye 2000 upgrade;
• Raytheon AIM-9X - possible difficulty intercepting targets using countermeasures.
Source: Flight International
