F-35 Subsystems Design, Development, and Verification

F-35 vehicle subsystems were developed, qualified, and fielded as part of an overall integrated systems architecture. Because of the unique requirements derived from the common tri-variant integrated systems architecture, several key technologies were developed as part of the overall subsystems development. These include electric primary and secondary flight control actuation, electrical starter/generator systems, lithium-ion batteries, integrated power and thermal management systems, and expanded ejection system performance envelopes. With any development and qualification of new technologies, several discoveries were observed and resolved during qualification. With the successful implementation of a fully integrated subsystem architecture, F-35 vehicle subsystems are fully qualified and operational, providing a high-performing, integrated architecture. These subsystems continue to successfully support the F-35 fleet well past its current 100,000 flight-hour mark.