IndiaFoxtEcho

VISUAL SIMULATIONS

F-35 LIGHTNING II
FOR LOCKHEED MARTIN PREPA3D V2.5-V3.X-V4.X

USER MANUAL

User manual version 3.50

Product version 350

Release build compiled July 30 2018

th
REVISION HISTORY

VERSION 3.50 – FULL INSTALL

July 30th 2018

- New, more realistic flight models by Roy Holmes. These should match all the data publicly
known so far, and provide a more realistic behavior.
- Implemented load-dependent drag for more realistic performance
- Implemented Ambient Occlusion mapping to all the external models
- Added South Korean, Japanese and Turkish repaints to F-35A
- Added Italian Navy and miscellaneous USMC repaints to F-35B
- Added VFA-125 and VX-9 repaints to F-35C
- Fixed "NO STEP" markings reversed on the slats of F-35A model, and on the tailerons on all
models
- Rebuilt and improved 3D vitual cockpit geometry
- Improved textures of virtual cockpit
- Added specular mapping to virtual cockpit
- Improved brightness and readability of Head Mounted Display
- Added "roll" degree of freedom to Head Mounted Display
- Brightess of MFD can be controlled manually
- Implemented digital indicator for remaining parking brake applications
- Backup Tacan now works
- Improved night lighting of virtual cockpit
- Implemented functionality of Emergency Jettison Knob
- Solved bug preventing digital imagery to appear on subportals in some instances
- Implemented Team Selection (Tacpack) through Mode 4 in CNI page
- Implemented Tacan input in CNI page
- Redone Generator/Started knob (now it should work as IRL).
- New full installers for P3Dv2 and v3, and P3v4 (full install). An installer for FSX is now provided,
too.
- Gear impact thresholds were incorrect - particularly on the F-35C. Fixed on all models.
- Added selectable WHOT/BLOT modes for TFLIR Imagery
- Added different airspeed data sources for MFD/HMD/BFI - Data source is selectable from the
pilot in the DTM page.
- Fixed ENG Page: EGT needle rotation is out of scale.
- Fixed ENG Page: Throttle setting hadno value.
- Fixed ENG Page: N1 RPM needle rotation out of scale - Fixed. Redone ENG page code.
- Fixed ENG Page: Oil needle always in red area, suggestion to add it.
- Added waypoint control, deletion and addition to DTM page
- Added PP target coordinates input option to DTM page
- Added CAGE/UNCAGE option to HUD page
- Added Radioaltimeter option to HUD page
- Fixed ENG Page: Thrust scale reading was offset, also did not report the actual percentage of
thrust, but rather N1.
- Jettison knob and button now work as IRL
- Added custom sounds to switches and knobs
- Fixed TSD scal mismatch above 40 Nm
- Fixed AP page visualization issues
- Fixed bug that made target data to show on the HMD in free-look mode reports targeting
information even when the landing gear is down (contrary to virtual HUD)
- Fixed minor bug in A/P window showing incorrectly entries when typing in altitude.
- Added the UNDESIGNATE command - Control+shift+U acts as undesignate (cancels A/A and
A/S targets)
- Fixed bug preventing Designate command from working in place of the trigger in A/A mode.
- Fixed bug allowing to select AIM-9X or AIM-120 missiles even if none is loaded.
- Fixed bug showing speed variation index as fixed symbol when HMD is in free look mode.
- Improved readability of EFI page while in subportal mode.
- Improved color contrast of EFI ladder.
- Fixed bug that made radio height visible even if above 5000ft
- Fixed misplaced TFLIR position on the F-35B - Fixed
- Changed SRCH mode visualization in AZ vs range (B-scope)
- Added possibility to partially add/remove fuel in the configurator, as well as repair the Aircraft.
- Changed stall warning sound
- Fixed Configurator graphic - Fixed Changed default load to LGB to all models.
- Product manual rewritten, will be posted online
- Added MAP mode to TSD screens (does not work with maximized or full screen mode)
- Added sound cue to “gear up” warning
- Upon AT engagement the speed is set to current IAS speed
- Added possibility to selectively display airports, VORs, NDB and airspaces in TSD screens
- Added possibility to individually select wapons in SMS mode

VERSION 3.23 – PATCH

March 27th 2017

- Fixed a bug that prevented A-A missiles to work correctly in radar-slaved mode
- Fixed a bug in reporting FAB fuel quantities
- Increased in-flight refuel rate
- Changed visibiliy condition of landing light (light turns off when gear is retracted)
- Fixed a bug which prevented IFF Mode 4 automatic activation

VERSION 3.20
October 20th 2016

- Fixed a bug in all previous version that made it so that Air-to-air track no.3 was rendered in a
wrong position on the radar screen
- As reported by user Ariel, changed the power up order of the MFD screens. Now the RIGHT
MFD will power up first (on Battery power only) and the LEFT MFD will power up second (on
generator power).
- Changed ENG page so that FF, HYD1 and HYD2 are reported as digits rather than "bars" - this
should be the same as real life (reported by user Ariel)
- Changed FUEL page so that fuel quantities in tanks are reported in pounds rather than in
gallons - again this should be the way it works in real life (reported by user Ariel)

VERSION 3.16
October 16th 2016
- Fixed a bug in version 3.15 which prevented the air-to-air radar functions to work as intended in
Tacpack
- Fixed minor bug in FCS code

VERSION 3.15
October 10th 2016

- Solved minor graphic flaw when the Function Access Buttons are SWAPped
- Restored "virtual speed brakes" indication in FCS page
- Implemented FAB-fuel function - fuel quantity, is now reported as magenta bars in the FAB
section, Joker and Bingo are reported as white lines.
- Fixed position of transfer pumps in the FUEL page
- IPP switch now also drives engine starter (in reality, the switch has three positions: OFF-AUTO-
START and should be spring loaded to the AUTO, in the sim it is just OFF or START)
- Left half of the MFD works on battery power only, Right half does not (as in reality) - when the
generator is not working, the right MFD will turn off
- Increased startup time for both halves of the MFD to 15 seconds (as in reality)
- TFLIR and DAS now require generator power to run
- A/S and Tacpack radars will not work unless engine is running

VERSION 3.11
July 12h 2016

FIXED - Installation issue in v3.10 causing MFD1 and MFD2 not being independant
FIXED - Installation issue in v3.10 FSX Compatibility Patch preventing HMD to show properly in
some intsances
FIXED - Installation issue in v3.10 FSX Compatibility Patch leaving an unintended temporary file
in the FSX folder

VERSION 3.10
July 10th 2016

ADDED - VX-23 Salty Dogs livery to the F-35C

ADDED - Warlords VM-01 livery to the F-35B
ADDED - Israeli Air Force livery to the F-35A
ADDED - Aural cues to ICAWS system
FIXED - Minor texturing issues in Virtual Cockpit, all models
FIXED - Bug in RWR system which preventer track 0 to appear on some instances
CHANGED - RWR system now supports up to 16 tracks (previously was 8)
CHANGED - JSOWs can now also be loaded in the internal bays
FIXED - Minor bug preventing canopy open/close switch to work
CHANGED - In flight refuel fuel flow rate is now higher following users feedback
CHANGED - STOVL flight model for better realism (by Rob Barendregt)
ADDED - Auto-takeoff feature to the F-35B (by Rob Barendregt)
FIXED - Resolved bug preventing laser guided weapons to hit their target (note: this was actually
a Tacpack bug - tacpack 1.4.3.0 or higher is required to fix the bug)
FIXED - Resolved bug preventing GPS coordinates being correctly loaded to GPS guided
weapons in some instances.
ADDED - CNI keypad is now operational
ADDED - Autopilot keypad is now operational
ADDED - Keyboard shortcuts now are active also in external views
FIXED - Bug in HUD page preventing TFLIR page to show
ADDED - Provided models with no geometry for cockpit builders

VERSION 3.01 - HOTFIX

Release 12/05/2015
- Fixed bug that prevented GPS coordinates to be loaded into guided weapons seekers.
This bug prevented GPS guided weapons to hit assigned targets.
- Completely rewrote target assignment, GPS and laser coordinates update code...hopefully more
reliable
- Fixed bug that showed GROUND TARGET designation triangle in subportals 1 and 5 when
DAS mode and proper weapons were selected
- WPNA and WPNS page, instead of being INOP, will report target and Tacpack weapons
variables...
this is mostly for debugging purposes, but given that those pages were INOP, it is for the better.
- Changed "X-Ray" vision activation: if invoked through CTRL+SHIFT+X it will stay on even if the
pilot is looking forward. X-ray vision will still leave room to boresight VHUD symbology if invoked
by pressing the "brake" key
- Fixed bug that prevented DAS imagery to be shown when TFLIR imaging was masked (NOTE:
DAS has full 720° coverage...it is never masked)
- Fixed bug that prevented "X-Ray" vision to work when TFLIR imaging was masked
- Increased fuel transfer rate during in-flight refuel

VERSION 3.00 – INITIAL RELEASE

September 30th 2015
WELCOME

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather

stealth multirole fighters undergoing final development and testing by the United
States.
The fifth generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack, aerial
reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three main models: The F-35A
Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical
Landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C carrier-based Catapult Assisted Take-Off But
Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) variant. On July 31, 2015, the first squadron was declared
ready for deployment after intensive testing by the United States.

The F-35 is a descended from the X-35, which was the winning design of the Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led
by Lockheed Martin. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman,
Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems. The F-35 took its first flight on December 15, 2006.
The United States plans to buy 2,457 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide
the bulk of the manned tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps
over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled to be
completed in 2037.

F-35 JSF development is being principally funded by the United States with additional
funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S.
allies. The United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands,
and Turkey are part of the active development program; several additional countries
have ordered, or are considering ordering, the F-35.

The aim of this package is to provide, within the limits of Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
software, a medium fidelity simulation of all the F-35 variants. Most systems and
procedures have been implemented in an “as realistic as practical” fashion, on the basis
of the publicly available information, while other systems are vastly simplified or not
implemented at all, due to software limitations or missing information.

Tactical systems are implemented through Vertical Reality Simulation Tacpack software,
which is required to have certain systems work as advertised.

IMPORTANT! THIS PRODUCT IS NOT ENDORSED OR SUPPORTED BY LOCKHEED

MARTIN CORPORATION.

While we have tried to provide a reasonably realistic depiction of the F-35 and we
have carefully studied all the publicly available information, the performance,
operations and procedures shall be considered purely fictional and not
representative of the performance of the real aircraft and its systems.
MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Due to the high-detail model and textures, we suggest to use the F-35 on systems that
meet or exceed the following requirements:

CPU: 3.0GHz dual core processor or better

GPU: at least 2Gb dedicated memory
RAM: 4.0Gb minimum
Hard Disk: 1Gb required for installation

IMPORTANT! This add-on is designed to work with LOCKHEED MARTIN PREPAR3D

Version 2.5 or 3.0. This package may not work, partially or at all, with Microsoft Flight
Simulator X.

Tactical functionalities and systems are supported through Vertical Reality

Simulations Tacpack software. A properly installed and functional installation of
VRS Tacpack version 1.4.2.6 or above must be present for the following functions to
work:

- Air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons release

- Weapons configurator
- Air-to-air and air-to-surface radar functions target designations
- RWR, ECM, Chaff and Flares release
- In-flight refuel

Equivalent functions in Prepar3D Professional PLUS are not supported.

NOTE: At the moment of compilation of this manual, VRS Tacpack is NOT available for
Prepar3D v3.0.

INSTALLATION

Starting from version 3.50, three separate installers are provided for Flight Simulator X,
Prepar3d version 2.5 or 3.x and Prepar3d version 4.
You should use:

F35P3Dv350_P3Dv2v3.exe if you wish to install the product in Lockheed Martin

Prepar3d version 2.5 or 3.x

F35P3Dv350_P3Dv4.exe if you wish to install the product in Lockheed Martin Prepar3d

version 4.x. This version installs proper 64.bit dlls and gauges for P3Dv4.

F35P3Dv350_FSX.exe if you wish to install the product in Flight Simulator X. NOTE Flight
Simulator X is NOT SUPPORTED. This version is provided solely as a bonus. Note also
that the MFD in the FSX version is much simpler than the one in P3D version. A number
of windows and functions may be different or missing. Specificallly, ASR, DAS and TFLIR
pages will not show any imagery.

Follow the installer instructions on screen – direct the installer to the MAIN folder of the
simulator of your choice.

IMPORTANT! The F-35B features customized flight dynamics module for Short
Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) functionality. You must have Microsoft Visual
C++ Redistributable Package installed, otherwise the STOVL functionality will not
work. This package is present on many installations, as it is necessary for several
applications, but may not be present in your computer.
Also, while loading the F-35 for the first time, you may be asked to authorize the
usage of specific .DLL : please do so, this software will not harm your computer
and it is necessary for the F-35 package to work correctly.

If the STOVL module is properly installed, the -B variant can perform realistic Short-Take-Off and Vertical
Landing maneuvers, including hovering (within a maximum weight of 40600lbs), vertical landing and
vertical take-off.
SPECIAL KEYSTROKES

In order to provide a quicker, direct access to some (mostly Tacpack related) functions,
the F-35 has some hard-coded custom keystrokes which cannot be changed by the user.

IMPORTANT! These key assignments are designed to be close to the Tacpack

default keystrokes, but may interfere with non-Tacpack, user defined custom
assignments. You should check the list of custom commands below and make sure
there are no conflicts.
IMPORTANT! The custom F-35 key assignments will work ONLY in the Virtual
Cockpit mode.

LIST OF F-35 SPECIAL KEY ASSIGMENTS

Arming/Stores

W → WEAPON CYCLE Selects a different master mode compatible weapon

CTRL+A → MASTER ARM TOGGLE Toggles the Master Arm state

CTRL+J → SELECTIVE JETTISON INITIATE Jettison the currently selected store

CTRL+U → UNCAGE/CAGE TOGGLE

SHFT+C → BOMB/GPS DELIVERY MODE Cycles through compatible delivery modes

SHFT+W → WEAPON STEP Steps to another station containing a similar weapon

SHFT+CTRL+J → EMERG JETTISON Initiates immediate EMERG JETT (external stores)

SHFT+CTRL+W → WEAPON RELOAD Availability subject to host preferences in MP

SHFT+CTRL+1 → AA GUN SELECT Enters AA MM, selects AA GUN, GACQ ACM mode

SHFT+CTRL+2 → AIM-9X SELECT Enters AA MM, selects AIM-9X and leaves ACM

SHFT+CTRL+3 → AIM-120 SELECT Enters AA MM, selects AIM-120 and leaves ACM

Electronic Warfare

C → CHAFF SINGLE Deploys a single chaff bundle

F → FLARE SINGLE Deploys a single IR flare

J → ASPJ JAM TOGGLE Requires Self-Protection Jammer power

Fuel

I → IFR PROBE TOGGLE Normal (non-emergency) IFR probe toggle

CTRL+D → FUEL DUMP TOGGLE

Master Mode

M → MASTER MODE CYCLE Cycles between master modes (A/A, A/S, NAV)

SHFT+CTRL+5 → NAV MASTER MODE Directly selects the NAV master mode

SHFT+CTRL+6 → A/A MASTER MODE Directly selects the A/A master mode

SHFT+CTRL+7 → A/G MASTER MODE Directly selects the A/S master mode

Other

RETURN DESIGNATE/UNDESIGNATE In A/A MM, designate first valid radar track as L&S
target. Further depression cycles through all of the available radar tracks.
In A/S MM, designates ground targets through the boresight of the Virtual HUD, or
through the HMD crosshairs if the HMD is in “free look” mode

CONTROL+SHIFT+U → UNDESIGNATE Cancels all A/S and A/A target tracking

TRIGGER - In AA MM, fires currently selected weapon. In AS MM, designates ground

target via HMD

PICKLE In A/S MM, releases currently selected weapon. In A/A MM, no function

SHIFT+CTRL+N NIGHT VISION GOGGLES Enables Night Vision Goggles emulation

SHIFT+CTRL+H Enable/Disable HMDS symbology head tracking

SHIFT+CTRL+X Enable/Disable HMDS “X-ray” vision

THE F-35 LIGHTNING II

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine stealth multirole

fighter that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions.
The F-35 has three different models: The F-35A is a Conventional Take-Off and Landing
variant, the F-35B is a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing variant, and the F-35C is a
Carrier-based Variant.

F-35A, F-35B and F-35 flying in formation nearby Eglin AFB.

DESIGN OVERVIEW

The F-35 resembles a smaller, single-engine sibling of the twin-engine Lockheed Martin F-22
Raptor and drew elements from it. The exhaust duct design was inspired by the General
Dynamics Model 200 design, proposed for a 1972 supersonic VTOL fighter requirement for the
Sea Control Ship. Although several experimental designs have been developed since the 1960s,
such as the unsuccessful Rockwell XFV-12, the F-35B is to be the first operational supersonic,
STOVL stealth fighter.

Some improvements over current-generation fighter aircraft are:

– Durable, low-maintenance stealth technology, using structural fiber mat instead of the high-
maintenance coatings of legacy stealth platforms;
– Integrated avionics and sensor fusion that combine information from off- and onboard sensors
to increase the pilot's situational awareness and improve target identification and weapon
delivery, and to relay information quickly to other command and control (C2) nodes.
– High speed data networking including IEEE 1394b and Fiber Channel.
– The Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS), Autonomic Logistics
Information System (ALIS) and Computerized Maintenance Management System
(CMMS) are to help ensure aircraft uptime with minimal maintenance manpower.
– Electro-hydrostatic actuators run by a power-by-wire flight-control system.
– A modern and updated flight simulator, which may be used for a greater fraction of
pilot training in order to reduce the costly flight hours of the actual aircraft.
– Lightweight, powerful Lithium-Ion batteries potentially prone to thermal runaway,
similar to those that have grounded the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. These are
required to provide power to run the control surfaces in an emergency.
– The F-35 will be the first mass produced aircraft to include structural
nanocomposites, namely carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy.
F-35 VARIANTS
The real F-35 is planned to be built in three different versions to suit the needs of its
various users. The F-35A is the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) variant, the F-
35B is the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C is the
CATapult Launch But ARrested Landing (CATOBAR) version for U.S. Navy carriers.

Differences between variants

F-35A F-35B F-35C
CTOL STOVL CATOBAR
Length 50.5 ft (15.4 m) 50.5 ft (15.4 m) 50.8 ft (15.5 m)
Wingspan 35 ft (10.7 m) 35 ft (10.7 m) 43 ft (13.1 m)
Wing Area 460 ft² (42.7m²) 460 ft² (42.7 m²) 620 ft² (62.1 m²)
Empty weight 29,098 lb (13,199kg) 32,300 lb (14,700 kg) 34,800 lb (15,800 kg)
Internal fuel 18,498 lb (8,390kg) 13,326 lb (6,045 kg) 19,624 lb (8,900 kg)
Max takeoff weight 70,000 lb class (31,800 kg) 60,000 lb class (27,300 kg) 70,000 lb class (31,800 kg)
Range 1,200 nmi (2,220 km) 900 nmi (1,670 km) 1,400 nmi (2,520 km)
Combat radius on 613 nmi (1,135 km) 469 nmi (845 km) 610 nmi (1,130 km)
internal fuel
Thrust/weight
• full fuel: 0.87 0.90 0.75
• 50% fuel: 1.07 1.04 0.91
F-35A
The CTOL variant is intended for the US Air Force and other air forces. It is the smallest,
lightest F-35 version and it is the only variant equipped with an internal cannon, the
GAU-22/A. The F-35A is expected to match the F-16 in maneuverability, instantaneous
and sustained high-g performance, and outperform it in stealth, payload, range on
internal fuel, avionics, operational effectiveness, supportability and survivability. It also
has an internal laser designator and infrared sensors, equivalent with the Sniper XR pod
carried by the F-16, but built in to remain stealthy.
The A variant is primarily intended to replace the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon, beginning
in 2013, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II starting in 2028.

F-35A, the Conventional Take-Off and Landing version (CTOL) in flight

The CTOL version can be easily recognized by the absence of the big fan door of the
STOVL version and by the presence of the gun on the port side of the fuselage and by
the retractable refuel receptacle.

The peculiar characteristics of the -A version are:

– It is the lightest and the fastest version

– It is the only version to feature an internal gun

– It is the only version equipped with a refuel receptacle

– In
this version, pressing the “HOOK/STOVL” button in the cockpit extends an
emergency tail hook.
F-35B

Similar in size to the A variant, the B sacrifices some fuel volume to make room for the
vertical flight system. Takeoffs and landing with vertical flight systems are by far the
riskiest, and in the end, a decisive factor in design. Like the AV-8B Harrier II, the B's guns
will be carried in a ventral pod. Whereas F-35A is stressed to 9 g, the F-35B is stressed to
7 g. Unlike the other variants, the F-35B has no landing hook; the "STOVL/HOOK" button
in the cockpit initiates conversion instead of dropping the hook.
The British Royal Air Force and Royal Navy plan to use this variant to replace their
Harrier GR7/GR9s. The United States Marine Corps intends to purchase 340 F-35Bs to
replace all current inventories of the F/A-18 Hornet (A, B, C and D models), and AV-8B
Harrier II in the fighter, and attack roles.
One of the British requirements was that the F-35B design should have a Ship-borne
Rolling and Vertical Landing (SRVL) mode so that wing lift could be added to powered lift
to increase the maximum landing weight of carried weapons. The U.S. Marines are
investigating the use of the SRVL method to operate F-35Bs from CVNs without
disrupting carrier operations as the landing method uses the same pattern of approach
as wire arrested landings. However, the aircraft is able to "bring back" 2 x 1K JDAM, 2 x
AIM-120 and reserve fuel to a vertical landing.

F-35B in STOVL mode

The Short Take Off and Vertical Landing version can be easily recognized, in normal
flight, by the peculiar shape of the fuselage which hosts the Lift-Fan system.

The peculiar characteristics of the -B version:

– It is
the only version capable of STOVL and it is the only operational supersonic,
stealth STOVL aircraft in the world.
– It can hover, land or take-off vertically if its gross weight is below 40,600lbs.

– Theinternal weapons bay is smaller than the other versions to make room for the lift-
fan engine, therefore some weapons cannot be mounted in the internal bay.

– Weapon carriage on outermost wing pylons is limited to 1,500lbs to reduce the

airframe stress and extend its life.

– This version is equipped with a refuel probe.

– In
this version, pressing the “HOOK/STOVL” button in the cockpit activates the
conversion to STOVL mode. See the specific manual section for STOVL mode
controls.
F-35C

The F-35C carrier variant has a larger, folding wing and larger control surfaces for
improved low-speed control, and stronger landing gear and hook for the stresses of
carrier landings. The larger wing area allows for decreased landing speed, increased
range and payload, with twice the range on internal fuel compared with the F/A-18C
Hornet, achieving much the same goal as the heavier F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The United States Navy and the Unites States Marine Corps will be the sole users for the
carrier variant. The first production F-35C was rolled out on July 29, 2009.

F-35C in preparing to land on a carrier

The F-35C is the CATOBAR version and can be easily recognized by the much larger,
foldable wing and bigger control surfaces and by the different nose landing gear, with
two wheels and a launch bar for catapult assisted take off. Also, the tail hook is much
bigger than the one of the F-35A.

The peculiar characteristics of the -C version are:

– It is
the heaviest, and slowest version, but it is also the version with the longest
range

– It hasa much larger wing allowing for lower approach speed and it is equipped with
spoilers for better low-speed maneuverability.

– The wing can be folded to save space on the carrier deck

– It has a more robust landing gear to tolerate the stress of naval operations

– Like the F-35B this version is equipped with a refuel probe.

– Pressing the “HOOK/STOVL” button in the cockpit extends the tail hook for carrier
landings.

– The LBAR button on the MFD/FCS page extends/retracts the launch bar.

– The WINGS button on the MFD/FCS page fold/unfolds the wings.

F-35 FLIGHT MODEL

While the F-35 has recently achieved the Initial Operational Capability with the United
Stated Marine Corps and other services, flight tests are still in progress and the publicly
available information on the actual performance and handling of the aircraft is scarce.
We have tried our best in delivering a reasonably realistic flight model, taking in account
all the information we could gather from reliable sources, including pilot reports, official
presentations and the “infamous” leaked flight test report about the aerial combat
maneuvering against an F-16D.
For obvious reasons, we cannot claim any degree of realism – but we hopefully
managed to convey some key points of the F-35 performance.
Specifically, the aircraft is extremely easy to fly, allowing the pilot to focus on achieving
the mission targets, rather than flying the aircraft or operating its systems.
In terms of performance it is generally similar to the F-16 and F/A-18, with comparable
acceleration figures in equivalent configurations – and possibly providing superior
performance in some operational scenarios.
F-35A offers the best acceleration performance, while the heavier and bigger -C variant
is the worst in that respect.
Pilots describe the F-35 as a maneuverable aircraft and are generally positively
impressed by the aircraft handling and by its performance, albeit the leaked report
highlighted some energy shortcoming during aggressive air-combat maneuvers.

The F-35 “super-cruise” performance is still controversial, mostly due to the fact that
there is no clear definition of “super-cruise”. Transonic acceleration data are publicly
known as they were shown in a presentation, and are accurately replicated in the
simulation.

NOTE: Starting from version 3.50, completely new flight model have been implemented
– these should avoid a number of inconsistencies in the previous versions, including
poor engine performance at high altitude and unrealistic roll rate at low speeds, and
should provide a better overall handling. These new flight models, contrary to the
previous versions, do employ flap and slats – however these are automatically actuated
and do not need pilot control.

NOTE: Starting from version 3.50, external loads cause additional drag. This is
implemented by partial deployment of speed brakes, so it is possible that, with external
loads, the speed brake/spoiler animations could be a slightly off the rest position.
ARMAMENT AND LOADS

In order to achieve stealth, it is required that a fighter plane carries its weapons in
internal bays. The F-35 is no exception to this rule. F-35A and -C can carry up to two
2,000 lbs. bombs and two air to air missiles, while the F-35B has slightly smaller bays to
make room for the STOVL system. The F-35A features also an internal GAU-22/A
four-barrel 25mm cannon with 180 rounds. The same cannon can be fitted as an
external pod with 220 rounds in the F-35B and F-35C.
At the expense of being more detectable by radar, many more missiles, bombs and fuel
tanks can be attached on four wing pylons (each wing) and two near wingtip positions.
The two wingtip locations can only carry AIM-9X Sidewinder.
In this simulation, weapon systems are supported through Vertical Reality Simulation
Tacpack package – which needs to be purchased separately from
www.vrsimulation.com. Press SHIFT+4 during the simulation to invoke the weapons
configurator. Weapons can be configured or reloaded at any time, except in multiplayer
sessions (unless the host selects the option to allows that).
Non-Tacpack users can still customize the load-out of the F-35 by manually altering the
aircraft station weights in the “Fuel And Payload” menu by entering the following
values:

INTERNAL STORES (STA4-5-7-8):

AIM 120 Slammer: 348 lbs. (all stations)
GBU 31: 2125 lbs. (STATION 4 or 8) only A and C versions
GBU 10: 2114 lbs. (STATION 4 or 8) only A and C versions
GBU 12: 610 lbs. (STATION 4 or 8)
MK84: 2039lbs (STATION 4 or 8) only A and C versions
MK83: 986lbs (STATION 4 or 8)
MK82: 558lbs (STATION 4 or 8)

EXTERNAL STORES (STA 1-2-3-6-9-10-11):

Sidewinder+pylon:382 lbs. (ONLY STATION 1 OR 11)
GBU 31 (2125 lbs.) + pylon (350 lbs.) = 2475 lbs. (STA 3 and 9 only for the F-35B)
GBU 12 (610 lbs.) + pylon (350 lbs.) = 960 lbs.
GBU 10 (2114 lbs.) + pylon (350 lbs.) = 2464 lbs. (STA 3 and 9 only for the F-35B)
JSOW (1041 lbs.) + pylon (350 lbs.) = 1391 lbs.
MK84 BOMB (2039 lbs.) + pylon (350 lbs.) = 2389 lbs. (STA 3 and 9 only for the F-35B)
MK83 BOMB (986 lbs.) + pylon (350) = 1336 lbs.
MK82 BOMB (558 lbs.) + pylon (350) = 908 lbs.
GUN POD: 550lbs ONLY STA 6, all variants
FUEL TANK (381 lbs.) + pylon (350) = 731 lbs. (ONLY STA3 and STA9)

NOTE: adding fuel tanks will actually increase the fuel capacity of the aircraft, however the
external fuel tanks must be manually filled by entering 416lbs (or 100%) in the EXTERNAL 1
and EXTERNAL 2 tanks. If non-zero values are written in these fields while external tanks are
not mounted, they will be immediately reset to zero).
ENGINE

The Pratt & Whitney F135 powers the F-35.

The F135, is a mixed-flow afterburning turbofan, and is derived from the F119 engine
but was given a new fan and LP turbine. There are 3 F135 variants with the -400 being
similar to the -100, the major difference being the use of salt-corrosion resistant
materials. The STOVL F-35B is outfitted with the Rolls-Royce Lift System, designed by
Lockheed Martin and developed by Rolls-Royce. The Lift System is composed of a lift
fan, drive shaft, two roll posts and a "Three Bearing Swivel Module" (3BSM). The 3BSM
is a thrust vectoring nozzle which allows the main engine exhaust to be deflected
downward at the tail of the aircraft. The lift fan is near the front of the aircraft and
provides a counterbalancing thrust using two counter-rotating blisks. It is powered by
the engine's low-pressure (LP) turbine via a drive shaft and gearbox. Roll control during
slow flight is achieved by diverting unheated engine bypass air through wing-mounted
thrust nozzles called Roll Posts. In this configuration most of the bypass flow is ducted to
the wing nozzles, known as roll posts. Some is used for cooling the rear exhaust nozzle,
known as the 3-Bearing Swivel Duct nozzle (3BSD). At the same time an auxiliary inlet is
opened on top of the aircraft to provide additional air to the engine with low distortion
during the hover. The lift fan is driven from the LP turbine through a shaft extension on
the front of the LP rotor and a clutch. The engine is operating as a separate flow
turbofan with a higher bypass ratio. The power to drive the fan (about 30,000 SHP) is
obtained from the LP turbine by increasing the hot nozzle area. Improving engine
reliability and ease of maintenance is a major objective for the F135. The engine has
fewer parts than similar engines which should improve reliability. All Line Replaceable
Components (LRCs) can be removed and replaced with a set of six common hand tools.
The F135's health management system is designed to provide real time data to
maintainers on the ground, allowing them to troubleshoot problems and prepare
replacement parts before the aircraft returns to base. According to Pratt & Whitney, this
data may help drastically reduce troubleshooting and replacement time, as much as
94% over legacy engines.

Specifications (F135-PW-100)

General characteristics

Type: afterburning turbofan

Length: 220 in (559 cm)
Diameter: 46 in (120 cm) max., 43 in (110 cm) fan inlet
Dry weight: 3,750 lb (1,700 kg)

Components

Compressor: 3-stage fan, 6-stage high-pressure compressor

Combustors: annular combustor
Turbine: 1-stage high-pressure turbine, 1-stage low-pressure turbine

Performance

Maximum thrust: 43,000 lbf (190 kN) max., 28,000 lbf (125 kN) intermediate
Overall pressure ratio: 28:1 overall pressure ratio
Specific fuel consumption: 0.886 lb/hr·lbf or 25.0 g/kN·s (dry)
Thrust-to-weight ratio: 7.47:1 (dry), 11.467:1 (wet/afterburning)
Specifications (F135-PW-600 for F-35B)

General characteristics:
Type: Afterburning Turbofan with shaft driven remote lift fan
Length: 369 in (937.3 cm)
Diameter: 46 in (116.8 cm) maximum, 43 in (109.2 cm) fan inlet, 53 in (134.6 cm) lift fan
inlet

Components

Compressor: 3 stage fan, 6 stage high-pressure compressor, 2 stage, contra-rotating,

shaft driven lift fan
Combustors: annular combustor
Turbine: Single stage high pressure turbine, 2-stage low pressure turbine

Performance

Maximum thrust: 41,000 lbf (182.38 kN) max, 27,000 lbf (120.1 kN) intermediate,
40,650 lbf (180.82 kN) hover
Overall pressure ratio: 28:1 overall pressure ratio (conventional), 29:1 overall pressure
ratio (powered lift),
Specific fuel consumption: ~0.886 lb/(hr·lbf) or ~25,0 g/kN·s (w/o afterburner)

F135-PW-600 mock-up on display at Paris Air Show.

SENSORS AND AVIONICS

The F-35's sensor and communications suite has situational awareness, command and
control and network-centric warfare capabilities. The main sensor on board is the
AN/APG-81 Active electronically scanned array-radar, designed by Northrop Grumman
Electronic Systems. It is augmented by the nose-mounted Electro-Optical Targeting
System (EOTS) that provides the capabilities of an externally mounted Sniper Advanced
Targeting Pod with a reduced radar cross-section. The AN/ASQ-239 (Barracuda) system
is an improved version of the F-22's AN/ALR-94 electronic warfare suite, providing
sensor fusion of Radio frequency and Infrared tracking functions, advanced radar
warning receiver including geolocation targeting of threats, multispectral image
countermeasures for self-defense against missiles, situational awareness and electronic
surveillance, employing 10 radio frequency antennae embedded into the edges of the
wing and tail. In September 2015, Lockheed unveiled the "Advanced EOTS" that offers
short-wave infrared, high-definition television, infrared marker, and superior image
detector resolution capabilities. Offered for the Block 4 configuration, it fits into the
same area as the baseline EOTS with minimal changes while preserving stealth features.
Six additional passive infrared sensors are distributed over the aircraft as part of
Northrop
Grumman's electro-optical AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS), which acts
as a missile warning system, reports missile launch locations, detects and tracks
approaching aircraft spherically around the F-35, and replaces traditional night vision
devices. All DAS functions are performed simultaneously, in every direction, at all times.
The electronic warfare systems are designed by BAE Systems and include Northrop
Grumman components. Functions such as the Electro-Optical Targeting System and the
electronic warfare system are not usually integrated on fighters. The F-35's DAS is so
sensitive, it reportedly detected the launch of an air-to-air missile in a training exercise
from 1,200 mi (1,900 km) away, which in combat would give away the location of an
enemy aircraft even if it had a very low radar cross-section.

The communications, navigation and identification (CNI) suite is designed by Northrop

Grumman and includes the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), as one of a half
dozen different physical links. The F-35 will be the first fighter with sensor fusion that
combines radio frequency and IR tracking for continuous all-direction target detection
and identification which is shared via MADL to other platforms without compromising
low observability. The non-encrypted Link 16 is also included for communication with
legacy systems. The F-35 has been designed with synergy between sensors as a specific
requirement, the aircraft's "senses" being expected to provide a more cohesive picture
of the battlespace around it and be available for use in any possible way and
combination with one another; for example, the AN/APG-81 multi-mode radar also acts
as a part of the electronic warfare system.
Much of the F-35's software is written in C and C++ due to programmer availability,
Ada83 code also is reused from the F-22. The Integrity DO-178B real-time operating
system (RTOS) from Green Hills Software runs on COTS Freescale PowerPC processors.
The electronic warfare and electro-optical systems are intended to detect and scan
aircraft, allowing engagement or evasion of a hostile aircraft prior to being detected.
AN/APG-81 AESA RADAR
The F-35 is equipped with the AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)
radar system designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems.
The Joint Strike Fighter AN/APG-81 AESA radar is a result of the US government's
competition for the world's largest AESA acquisition contract. Westinghouse Electronic
Systems (acquired by Northrop Grumman in 1996) and Hughes Aircraft (acquired by
Raytheon in 1997) received contracts for the development of the Multifunction
Integrated RF System/Multifunction Array (MIRFS/MFA) in February 1996.
he AN/APG-81 is a successor radar to the F-22's AN/APG-77. Over three thousand
AN/APG-81 AESA radars are expected to be ordered for the F-35, with production to run
beyond 2035, and including large quantities of international orders. As of October 2013,
over one hundred APG-81s have already been produced and delivered. The first three
blocks of radar software have been developed, flight tested, and delivered ahead of
schedule by the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Capabilities of the AN/APG-81 include
the AN/APG-77's air-to-air modes, plus advanced air-to-ground modes, including high
resolution mapping, multiple ground moving target indication and track, combat
identification, electronic warfare, and ultra- high bandwidth communications. The
current F-22 production radar is the APG-77v1, which draws heavily on APG-81
hardware and software for its advanced air-to-ground capabilities. The radar met and
exceeded its performance objectives successfully tracking long-range targets as part of
the first mission systems test flights of the F-35 Lightning II BF-4 aircraft.
AN/AAQ-37 DISTRIBUTED APERTURE SYSTEM

The AN/AAQ-37 electro-optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) is the first of a new
generation of sensor systems being fielded on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Joint Strike Fighter. DAS consists of six high resolution Infrared sensors mounted around
the F-35 airframe in such a way as to provide unobstructed spherical (4π steradian)
coverage and functions around the aircraft without any pilot input or aiming required.
The DAS provides three basic categories of functions in every direction simultaneously:
- Missile detection and tracking (including launch point detection and countermeasure
cueing)
- Aircraft detection and tracking (Situational awareness IRST & air-to-air weapons
cueing)
- Imagery for cockpit displays and pilot night vision (imagery displayed onto the helmet
mounted display)
The F-35's DAS was flown in military operational exercises in 2011 and has also
demonstrated the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles to ranges exceeding 800
miles (1300 kilometers) and has also demonstrated the ability to detect and track
multiple small suborbital rockets simultaneously in flight.

ELECTRO-OPTICAL TARGETING SYSTEM (EOTS)

The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for the F-35 Lightning II is an affordable,
high-performance, lightweight, multi-function system that provides precision air-to-air
and air-to-surface targeting capability. The low-drag, stealthy EOTS is integrated into the
F-35 Lightning II's fuselage with a durable sapphire window and is linked to the aircraft's
integrated central computer through a high-speed fiber-optic interface.
Advanced EOTS, an evolutionary electro-optical targeting system, is available for the F-
35’s Block 4 development. Designed to replace EOTS, Advanced EOTS incorporates a
wide range of enhancements and upgrades, including short-wave infrared, high-
definition television, an infrared marker and improved image detector resolution.
COCKPIT

The F-35 features a full-panel-width "Panoramic Cockpit Display" (PCD) glass cockpit,
with dimensions of 20 by 8 inches (50 by 20 centimeters). A cockpit speech-recognition
system (Direct Voice Input) provided by Adacel is planned to improve the pilot's ability
to operate the aircraft over the current-generation interface.
The F-35 will be the first US operational fixed-wing aircraft to use this system, although
similar systems have been used in AV-8B and trialed in previous US jets, particularly the
F-16 VISTA. In development the system has been integrated by Adacel Systems Inc. with
the speech recognition module supplied by SRI International. The pilot flies the aircraft
by means of a right-hand side stick and left-hand throttle.
A helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) will be fitted to all models of the F-35. While
some fighters have offered HMDS along with a head up display (HUD), this will be the
first time in several decades that a front-line tactical jet fighter has been designed to not
carry a HUD.
Most of the pilot interaction happen through the multifunction display touch-screen,
although, for safety and procedural reasons, several physical switches still exist.
The Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat is used in all F-35 variants. The US16E seat design
balances major performance requirements, including safe-terrain-clearance limits, pilot-
load limits, and pilot size. It uses a twin-catapult system that is housed in side rails.
The following pictures provide an overview of the cockpit left-to-right.
Note that the layout and appearance of the cockpit in the simulation is derived from
high resolution pictures of the real cockpit of the initial prototype (AA-1) – for this
reason the cockpit is somewhat different from the ones of production aircraft and
features flight test equipment which is not normally fitted.
Cockpit, left side – This area of the cockpit hosts most of the physical switches, which cover basic functions
like master electrical circuitry control (battery and generator), engine start / stop and lights control.
These switches are rarely operated during normal flight. Note: in the latest F-35 the physical control light
switches have been replaced with and additional page in the PCD.

1 – Strobe Light Switch

2 – Navigation Lights Switch

3 - Formation Light Switch

4 – Flood ight Switch

5 – ICC 2 Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

6 – ICC 1 Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

7 – 28V BUS Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

8 – 270V BUS Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

9 – Cockpit OPEN/CLOSE Switch

10 - Master Battery/Electrical BUS Switch

11 – Generator/Starter Knob (three positions: OFF – GENERATOR - ENGINE START)

12 – Fuel Shut-off Control

13 – Engine General Switch (combution consent)

14 – Cockpit Defog Lever (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

15 – HOTAS Throttle

16 – FCS RESET Button (currently no function in the sim)

17 – Rudder Trim Switch

Cockpit, front – The cockpit is dominated by the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD). The PCD is the core
instrument to interact with the aircraft. It is divided to 5 areas: a top Function Access Buttons (which
continuously displays critical information and provides quick-access buttons to core information and four
vertical “portals”. Each portal can be configured to show one of the twenty-one functional screens (called
“pages”) along with two sub-portals, or can be maximized to occupy a full quarter of the screen or
furtherly enlarged to occupy half screen.

18 – Emergency Jettison Control (Knob controls ejection mode ALL-EXTERNAL ONLY-

SELECTED ONLY, pushbutton commands ejection)

19 – Remaining Parking Brake Applications

20 – Parking Brake Switch

21 – HOOK/STOVL Button (extends arrestor hook on F-35A and -C version, engages

STOVL mode in F-35B, provided that proper conditions are met)
22 – Landing Gera Lever

23 – Emergency Landing Gear Extension Button (guarded)

24 – Landing Light Switch

25 – Panoramic Cockpit Display

26 – Head Mounted Display Mode Switch (toggles between “free look” to “forward
only” modes)

27 -Head Mounted Display Power Control

28 – Panoramic Cockpit Display Power Control

29 – Panoramic Cockpit Display Brightness (toggles between low and high brightness of
the PCD) – NOTE: high brightness will also turn on instruments lighting at night

30 – COM 1 Tuning Knob

31 – COM 2 Tuning Knob

32 – NAV 1 Tuning Knob

33 – MASTER ARM

34 – Backup Flight Instrument (BFI)

35 – Barometric Pressure Setting Knob

36 – Auto Recovery Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

37 – Backup Battery Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

38 – FTA Switch (can be operated, but no actual function in the sim)

Cockpit, right – The right side of the cockpit hosts only the main control stick and its arm rest, along with
backup TACAN (in reality the backup Tacan was present only in test aircrafts)

39 – HOTAS Control Stick

40 – ARM Rest

41 – Backup TACAN – NOTE In reality the backup Tacan was present only in initial test
aircrafts. Note that the Y switch will not work if the resulting channel is not supported
by FSX/P3D. Note also that, in this simulation, the TACAN only works as an alternate way
to enter NAV1 frequencies. Tacan channels will be converted to NAV 1 Frequencies and
vice versa.
PANORAMIC COCKPIT DISPLAY
The core of the F-35 pilot interface is a 20 by 8 inches (50 by 20 centimeters)
multifunction touchscreen display. The display layout can be extensively customized by
the pilot. The vast majority of the aircraft functions can be accessed, controlled,
configured and monitored via the multifunction display. In the real aircraft,
multifunction display can be operated via touchscreen, cursor hooking or voice
commands. In this rendition, only touchscreen (via mouse clicking) is supported. NOTE:
Press SHIFT+5 to display a 2D resizable, un-dockable window showing the MFD. Note
that this visualization may be prone to rendering issues, and it is not the intended
method to operate the MFD.

IMPORTANT! In the 2D panel visualization, user should refrain from using the SWAP
button of the Function Access Buttons (FAB), as the FAB does not actually swap in this
mode and direct link to portals pop-up functions can be confusing.

The multi-function display is divided to five areas. An upper control bar called FAB (for
Function Access Button) and four, interchangeable and customizable sections called
portals.

The FAB provides a summary of the most important information and quick access
to some aircraft functions and systems, through “POP UP” versions of the relevant
portal (namely, left to right ENG, FUE, SMS, FCS, ICAWS and Autopilot), while each
portal is furtherly divided into three parts. A main window, called main portal, and two
small windows, called sub-portals.

Every main portal and every sub-portal can be assigned individually to any of the 21
functions (“pages”) of the display. Therefore, each portal can host three functions at any
given time. Pages are selected from a grid in a specific page called MENU.
If a portal has no function currently assigned, the MENU will automatically show up.
THE FAB

The FAB provides a summary of critical aircraft systems status, as well as quick
access to the a “POP UP” version of some of the MFD pages. POP UP portal versions are
identified by a magenta POP UP indication on the upper left corner. To make the POP
UP window disappear, and make the portal return to its original page, user can either
click the upper left corner of the portal, or click on the relevant portion of the FAB.

From left to right, the upper FAB is divided as follows:

ENGINE area – reports current throttle setting and N2 RPM. Clicking in this area will
bring the ENG – POP UP page on the portal immediately below the click area. Pages
functions are discussed in the next paragraphs.

FUEL area – reports aircraft gross weight, total, internal and external fuel. Clicking in this
area will bring the FUEL– POP UP page on the portal immediately below the click area.

LANDING GEAR STATUS – three green lights indicate that landing gear is down and
locked. Clicking in this area will bring the FCS– POP UP page on the portal immediately
below the click area.

ICAWS (Integrated Caution, Advisory and Warning System ) area – the left part indicates
specific conditions that may require pilot attention while the right side indicates general
warning and caution status. Clicking in this area will bring the FCS– ICAWS page on the
portal immediately below the click area.

AUTOPILOT area – This indicates weather the autopilot and auto-throttle are currently
engaged. Clicking in this area will bring the AUTOPILOT – POP UP page on the portal
immediately below the click area.

IMPORTANT! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SHOW THE AUTOPILOT PAGE, AS THIS
FUNCTION IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE PORTAL MENU.

SWAP button – clicking this button will swap the left and right sides of the top bar. The
status of the portals will not be changed.
CNI area – This area reports status of COM1 and NAV1 radios as well as ADF and XPDR
frequencies.

The VIDEO RECORDER button is inoperative.

MENU button – In the real aircraft, this button invokes the MENU page for the latest
selected portal and it is intended for use with cursor hooking controls. In this simulation
it is used to switch aircraft MASTER MODE.

IMPORTANT! IN THE REAL AIRCRAFT, THE GENERAL COCKPIT INTERFACE IS “ALMOST”

MASTER MODE-LESS. THE AIRCRAFT CAN TRACK A-A AND A-S TARGETS ALMOST
SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND THE MASTER MODE IS DICTATED BY THE WEAPON SELECTED
BY THE PILOT. IN THIS SIMULATION, THE PILOT STILL NEEDS TO MANUALLY SELECT
THE MASTER MODE, UNLESS WEAPONS ARE ACCESSED THROUGH THE CUSTOM
KEYSTROKES.

AUTOPILOT SETTING area – this area reports the current autopilot settings
TIME AND WIND area – this area reports the current time, the wind direction and
intensity and the current barometric settings.
PORTALS AND PAGES

Each portal is identical and interchangeable with the other three and is controlled in the
same way:

– Clicking on the upper left corner of the portal will invoke the MENU page, unless the
portal is displaying a pop-up function. In that case, the pop-up page will disappear
and the portal will be restored to its previous status.

– Clicking onone sub-portal will swap the functions of the sub-portal and the
main portal. If the sub-portal had no function assigned, the MENU screen will be
shown and the pilot shall select the page he or she wants to assign.

– Clicking on
the “DOWN” arrow in a portal, will cause the main portal to maximize
and sub-portals to collapse to tabs.

– Clicking on the “UP” arrow in a maximized portal will restore the sub-portals to its
normal size.

– Clicking on
the “LEFT” or “RIGHT” arrows will cause the current page to be
expanded to occupy two portals, while sub-portals are collapsed to tabs. NOTE: this
command is supported for the vast majority of the pages but not all of them.

– Clicking on a tab will swap the functions of the sub-portal and the main portal. If the
Sub-portal had no function assigned, the MENU screen will be shown and the pilot
shall select the page he or she wants to view.
The upper left corner of each portal will show the name of the page currently shown in
the main portal, and the aircraft master mode currently selected. There are 21 portal
pages which can be displayed at will:

ASR> Air-to-Surface Radar

CHKLST> Checklist

CNI> Communications Navigation and Identification

DAS> Distributed Aperture System

DTM> Data page

EFI> Electronic Flight Instrumentation

ENG> Engine

FCS> Flight Control System

FUEL> Fuel page

HUD> Head Up Display

ICAWS> Integrated Caution, Advisory and Warning System

PHM> Prognostics and Health Management

SMS> Stores Management System

SRCH> Search page

TFLIR> Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red

TSD-1> Tactical Situation Display 1

TSD-2> Tactical Situation Display 2

TSD-3> Tactical Situation Display 3

TWD> Threat Warning Display

WPN-A> Air to Air weapons

WPN-S> Air to Surface weapons

Aircraft master modes are:

NAV – Navigation

A-A – Air to Air

A-S – Air to Surface

ASR – AIR TO SURFACE RADAR
This page is used in the real aircraft to acquire, through its radar system, high-definition
images and maps of any given area selected by the pilot.

The implementation in the simulation is a much simplified version of the actual

functionalities. Specifically, this rendition utilizes data from the P3D native radar feature
and it is not directly linked to other functions.
This function is available also if Tacpack is not installed. In general, the interface should
however be relatively close to the one real aircraft, although, for example, it is not
possible to directly acquire a high definition image of the current target by designating it
on the TSD.
In the ASR page the user can:

– Select the radar range imaging

– Move the cursor by clicking on the main image area (clicking in the upper part will
make the cursor move UP, clicking on the right part will make the cursor move right
and so on)

– Allow/Inhibit radar transmission

– Show/hide display overlays

– Select the radar mapping mode (MAP, EXP1, EXP2, SAR)

– Clear the current image (BLANK MAP) or Freeze (CAPTR) the current data

– ASSIGN the current cursor location as air to surface target

NOTE: On some machines, the P3D Radar service seems unstable. If ASR mode
does not work, you may be forced to reload the aicraft.
CKLST – Checklist
This page will show the basic checklists along with basic A/C weight data.
The page interface has been vastly revised from the original, and checklists are generic
and for the most part fictional.
The user can select the desired checklists from the menu on the left side.
CNI – Communication Navigation and Identification

In reality this page gathers and controls the functions of a variety of avionic equipment
such as the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponder, the Ultra High Frequency
(UHF)/ Very High Frequency (VHF) receive and transmit voice and data, the Intercom
Audio (which allows communications between the pilot, ground crew or in-flight
refueling aircrew without radio frequency transmissions) and a backup radio that
provides voice communications in emergency events.
In this rendition the page has been vastly simplified and reduced basically to a radio
control panel. Within this page the pilot can:
– set standby COM1 radio frequency and swap the active and standby frequencies
– set standby COM2 radio frequency and swap the active and standby frequencies
– set standby NAV1 radio frequency and swap the active and standby frequencies
– set ADF and XPDR frequencies
- set TACAN Channel (note: in this simulation the TACAN is just a duplicate of the NAV1:
Tacan channels will be converted to NAV1 frequencies and vice versa)
- set TACPACK Teams (IFF MODE 4)
Although the functionalities have been simplified, the page retains the general look of
the real F-35 CNI page.

NOTE: the top bar and the knobs on the master arm panel provide alternate methods of
changing the radio frequencies.
DAS – Distributed Aperture System (requires Tacpack)

This page controls and displays information from the 720 degrees, spherical situational
awareness system in the electro-optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS). The DAS
surrounds the aircraft with a protective sphere of situational awareness.

In reality it warns the pilot of incoming aircraft and missile threats as well as providing
day/night vision, fire control capability and precision tracking of wingmen/friendly
aircraft for tactical maneuvering.

In this rendition DAS is basically an additional IR camera which can be used to enhance
the situational awareness of the pilot.

Also, the pilot can slave the DAS system to the position and orientation of the helmet to
provide “look through” the aircraft and monitor targets or threats below or behind the
aircraft, or for accurate alignment to the landing spot during STOVL operations.
This function is activated by pressing the BRAKE key (on the basis that most users will
have the BRAKE key mapped on the main HOTAS controls).
Unless the DAS is slaver to the helmet, the pilot can select the VIEW mode and the zoom
factor. Zoom factors are as follows:

– AUTO: Automatic zoom depending on target distance

– NORM: no zoom

– EXP1, EXP2, EXP3 and EXP4 provide increasingly high zoom levels

View modes are as follows:

– AUTO: Automatic selection depending of master mode

– NAV: Slaved to velocity vector

– A-A: points to current air-to-air target, if any

– A-S: points to current air-to-surface target, if any

Note: A-A and A-S selections are independent of master mode status. It is possible to
switch to A-A master mode, to engage a bandit, and continue monitoring an air to
ground target.
Note: Due to intrinsic lag in the simulation engine, A-A mode may not point accurately
to the intended radar track, therefore the target aircraft may not be perfectly centered.
DTM – Data Management
In the real aircraft, this page is used to store, receive or transmit any kind of data, such
as ASR imaging, mission objectives, navigation data, video, etc.
In this simulation, withing this page the pilot can:

- Select the active waypoint

- Add a waypoint to a flight plan

- Delete a waypoint from a flight plan

- Set Pre-Planned GPS Target Coordinates

- Toggle bewteen AUTO and MANUAL selection of waypoints

- Toggle between EAS and IAS air data sources

EFI – Electronic Flight Instrumentation

This page will show a quite complete Electronic Flight Instrumentation page, including
Attitude and Direction Indicator and Horizontal Situation Indicator.
The layout of the page changes a bit if maximized or not.
If the page is maximized, as usual, the ADI occupies the upper part of the portal, while a
partial HSI is shown in the lower part.
If the page is not maximized, the pilot can select either the ADI or the HSI views. Note
that if the portal is maximized and then minimized, the selection will be preserved.

NOTE: When shown in a sub-portal, the page will always display basic ADI information
regardless of the current selection.

In this page the pilot can:

– Switch ADI and HSI views if the portal is not maximized
– Select HEADING and CouRSe angles, by clicking on their respective areas
– Toggle the Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) on/off
– Toggle the Flight Director on/off
ENG – Engine

This page will show the engine performance data (thrust, exhaust gas temperature,
throttle setting, N2 RPM, hydraulic A and B systems pressure and oil pressure).
Any condition that may require pilot attention will be highlighted in red.
The only control available in this page is the A-ICE button that will activate all the anti-
ice devices of the aircraft.
FCS – Flight Control system

This page will show the flight control system status, that is the positions of control
surfaces (flaperons, horizontal tails, rudders and LEFs), the trim setting, the positions of
the landing gear, virtual speed brakes and, on F-35A and F-35C, of the tail hook, and on
the F-35C only, of the launch bar and the folding wing mechanism. On the F-35B, this
page will also show the status of the Direct Lift System, including the nozzle and lift-fan
flow direction and commanded speed. Also, the current total aircraft weight is shown,
as well as the maximum G limit of the selected model.
NOTE: this is the maximum G limit for the clean aircraft, and it is not updated with the
load-out configuration. The FCS has some G-limiting authority but it may be possible, in
some instances, to overstress the aircraft.
Within this page the pilot can:

- engage/disengage the autopilot

- retract/extend the launch bar (F-35C only)

- fold/spread the wing (F-35C only, and only if a/c is on the ground and speed is very
slow)

- command the Direct Lift System to enter the automatic hover mode, (F-35B only – see
details on the “Special Instructions for STOVL mode” section
below).

- allows the selection of the AUTO TAKE OFF option (F-35B only, only if the aircraft is
static on the ground, wheel brakes are pressed and STOVL Mode is engaged)

NOTE: HOVER can only be commanded if the total aircraft weight is below 40600 lbs.
FUEL – Fuel system management

This page shows the total fuel quantity available, as well as the quantity in each
individual fuel tank and the status of the refuel system.
Within this page the pilot can:

– Toggle the opening of the fuel dump valve

– Togglesthe opening of the refuel receptacle doors in the F-35A or the extension
and retraction of the refuel probe in the F-35B and F-35C

– Activate the Main Fuel Shut-Off Valve in case of emergency

– Set the BINGO fuel alert

– Set the JOKER fuel alert

HUD – Head Up Display

This page shows on the MFD the same information shown on the Virtual Head Up
Display function of the Helmet-Mounted Display.
For several reasons, however, only the main data are shown in this rendition.
Specifically, most of the essential flight data information is shown, but the weapons
information is not.
Within this page the pilot can use the TFLIR command to slave the TFLIR sensor to
the boresight of the aircraft. Note that TFLIR image requires a valid installation of
Tacpack. Withing this page the pilot can also:

- Toggle the HUD CAGE/UNCAGE mode

- Toggle the visualization of the radioaltimeter

ICAWS – Integrated Caution, Advisory and Warning System

The Integrated Caution and Warning Systems collects all the advisory messages from the
various F-35 systems and presents them in a clear and unified way.
In the real thing, this page is also used to command the BIT (Built-In Test) procedures.
In this rendition, only a few systems are monitored and presented and BIT is not
implemented. However, the ICAWS conditions are correctly color coded and
implemented.

RED (WARNING) – These conditions require immediate pilot attention and corrective
actions as they represent major risks of injuries, fatalities or loss of the aircraft.

YELLOW (CAUTION) – These are potentially dangerous condition which require

immediate pilot attention, however do not expose the aircraft or the pilot to immediate
risk.

GREEN (ADVISORY) – These alerts represent conditions which require pilot attention,
but should not represent a risk condition.
PHM – Prognostics and Health Management

This page shows the status of the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system.
This system, which is central to the program's Performance Based Logistics (PBL)
approach, is built on incremental capability deployment and a careful balance of on-
aircraft and off-board software, systems and processes. The system is capable of
monitoring the “health” status of the aircraft and report it to remote servers to allow
the ground crew and the industry to plan for maintenance and relevant logistics actions.
SMS – Stores Management System

This page shows the status of the Stores Management System, both internal and
external, and shows the currently selected weapon and its status, as well as the Master
Arm status and the CHAFFS and FLARES count.

Within this page, the pilot can select individual weapons and manually command the
opening of the weapon bay doors if necessary. Note however that the doors are
controlled automatically during flight and weapons release. Also, in this page it is
possible to select some weapon release and targeting options:

Air-to-Air master mode:

- GUN: option to visualize the gun funnel and/or switch to auto-gun (AGUN) option.

- AIM-120: option to select/deselect LOFTed trajectory for the missile

Air-to-Surface:
On selected weapons, option to select the weapon release mode: CCIP, AUTO or
MANUAL. Also select Target Of Opportunity (TOO) or Pre-Planned (PP).
SRCH – Search mode

If a proper version of Tacpack is present, this page will present a simple Azimuth versus
distance representation of the A-A targets being tracked by the radar. It is possible to
change the radar range by clicking the buttons (although weapons specific restrictions
may apply) and clicking onto the screen will cycle the L&S designation between the
available targets.
Controls in this page:
• Radar Range Button change the A-A radar search mode
• Clicking the center of the screen designate the L&S Target (and then cycles through
the available targets).
TFLIR – Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red
This page shows the information from, and controls the Targeting Forward Looking Infra
Red. The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is the world’s first and only sensor
that combines Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST)
functionality. The pilot has access to high-resolution imagery, automatic tracking, IRST,
laser designation and range-finding and laser spot tracking at greatly increased standoff
ranges. Within this page the pilot can:
- Select the view mode: AUTO (automatic selection depending on Master Mode), NAV,
AA, AS. Note: in the F-35B, if the aircraft is hovering, TFLIR switches to HOVER mode
(points directly below the aircraft) to help the pilot to improve landing accuracy.
- Select the zoom factor: AUTO (automatic selection depending on Master Mode) or
various levels of magnification
– Select the laser code
- Enable/disable the laser designation beam (LASER): if the LASER indication is flashing
the laser is lazing. Note that the laser will be automatically turned on if a laser guided
weapon is selected and the aircraft is within release range.
- Toggle between “white hot” (WHOT) and “black hot” (BLOT) visualization.
TSD-1 – Tactical Situation Display 1 – 2 – 3
The Tactical Situation Displays show, in a simple and effective way, a horizontal
projection of everything the aircraft systems know about the surrounding area:
navigation, mission and tactical information are presented clearly to provide the best
possible situational awareness to the pilot.
As a result of the sensor-fusion and network sharing approach, the data presented is a
synthesis of what the aircraft knows from its own sensors, and what it has been
detected from any friendly asset capable of sharing information.
Three independent pages can be shown and controlled separately.
In this rendition, the functionality is limited and the pages will only show basic
navigation data as well as basic information of nearby airborne and ground vehicles (as
long as they are SimObjects items). Controls in this page:

-RANGE INCREASE/DECREASE: This selector allows to increase/decrease the

range of the current TSD view

- DCLT: filters airborne objects

-ASGN: When this mode is toggled, clicking the TSD will assign the indicated point as
TOO ground target

- MAP: Toggles terrain visualization, work only if subportals are visible

- ASP: Toggles visualization of airspaces

- APT: Toggles visualization of airports

- VOR: Toggles visualization of VOR stations

- NDB: Toggles visualization of Non-Directional Beacons

TWD – Threat Warning Display

If a proper version of Tacpack is detected, this page displays information of the current
threats detected by the aircraft sensors, and prioritizes them depending on how
dangerous
they appear to be. Also, counter-measures are controlled from this page.
Controls in this page:
• JAMMER – Activates on-board ECM jammer
• CHAFFs and FLARES can be released clicking the left and right side of the screen
respectively.

WPN-A – Air-to-air weapons mode

INOPERATIVE – NOT IMPLEMENTED IN THIS RENDITION

WPN-S – Air-to-surface weapons mode

INOPERATIVE – NOT IMPLEMENTED IN THIS RENDITION
HELMET MOUNTED DISPLAY SYSTEM
The F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) displays biocular video and
symbology information on the helmet visor, providing pilots with all information
necessary to execute both day and night missions under a single integrated
configuration.
The flight data are presented to the pilot in a Virtual Head Up Display, that is it appears
in front of the pilot like if it were on an exceptionally wide, frameless Head Up
display. Also, the system enables pilots to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors
using the helmet display. Finally, the system also provides “Enhanced Reality” features,
like night vision and the possibility to look “through the aircraft” thanks to the
Distributed Aperture System (DAS). When the pilot moves his head, part of the VHUD
symbology is kept aligned with the aircraft boresight, while the rest follows the pilot
head movement. The pilot can therefore:
- Designate Air-to-Ground targets, pressing the trigger button or the Designate button when in
Air-to-Surface mode
- Direct the IR sensor of the AIM-9X missiles off-boresight (when in Air-to-Air mode, with
AIM-9X selected)
- Slave the DAS to the helmet position and direction to allow the pilot to look through
the aircraft. This is activated by pressing the BRAKE key when in the air, or toggled by
CONTROL+ALT+X

NOTE: Off-boresight HMDS feature and projection of DAS imagery require Tacpack
(version 1.4.2.6 or above) – and will not work otherwise.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR STOVL OPERATIONS (F-35B ONLY)

In this rendition, the F-35B has three main configurations:

• CTOL-config: for normal takeoffs/landings and cruise flight. Lift-fan doors are closed,
nozzle is straight back.

• STOL-config:(STOVL-mode, with Hover-sub-mode OFF): used for slow flight (70 -

200 knots) and short takeoff/landing. Aircraft behavior, and controls, are like in
CTOL-config, but with attitude/speed restrictions. Lift-fan doors are open, nozzle is
auto-controlled between 30 and 60 degrees. Airspeed depends on throttle, pitch
attitude and wind.

• VTOL-config: (STOVL-mode, with Hover-sub-mode ON): used for vertical takeoff

and landings. Lift-fan doors are open, nozzle is auto-controlled between 75 and 100
degrees. Auto-throttle, and Auto-wind compensation. See below for control details.
Please note that, while we tried to emulated the controls and behavior of the real F-35B
on the basis of the information publicly available, many changes have been
implemented and some artistic license has been taken for better usability within the
Prepar3D environment.
Before starting your first STOVL flight, please note that some standard P3D functions
have been used as "proxies" for STOL/VTOL functions, so that user can command these
via keys instead of mouse operation only or, preferably, assign stick buttons to these
functions:

• Tailhook:this activates and deactivates STOVL-mode. Like in the real aircraft, the
conversion to STOVL mode can be activated by pressing the HOOK/STOVL button
on the top-left corner of the main control panel. Default key assignment: SHIFT + Q

• Heading hold: when in STOVL-mode, this sets VTOL-config (enables the Hover-mode
ON). In the real aircraft, the “auto hover” mode is activated by pressing a button on the
throttle. In this P3D rendition, you can activate this also by pressing the HOVER area of
the MFD touchscreen in the FCS page (note: the HOVER control appears only when the
aircraft in in STOVL mode. If the HOVER button is red, the aircraft exceeds the weight of
40600 lbs. – which is the maximum for hover mode). The aircraft slows down to the
target speed (0 by default) and keeps hovering automatically. Control scheme is
different from the other modes, but very intuitive. Default key: CTRL + H

• Aileron-trim: this is used to set the desired ground speed when the aircraft is in the
HOVER sub-mode:
"aileron trim (center)": set target speed to 0 (no default key, you have to assign one)
"aileron trim (left)": increase target speed; default key: CTRL + NUM-4
"aileron trim (right)": decrease target speed; default key: CTRL + NUM-6
Note: If you assign trim left/right to controller buttons, you get best results if you set
the “Repeat Slider” halfway.
• Altitude
Hold: this activates (in the air only) and activates Vertical-Speed-hold,
when Hover mode is On. Default key is CTRL + Z

Restrictions to mode conversion are as follows:

• You cannot convert from CTOL-config into STOL-config when the airspeed is
above than 250 Knots.
• In STOL-config, pitch & bank attitude is limited to 30 degrees.
• In STOL-config, you cannot activate the Hover mode if you are too heavy for VTOL
operation (total weight > 40600 lbs.); in this case the HOVER button of the FCS will
be red. You may want to dump fuel via the FUEL/DUMP command until the total
weight is within the 40600 lbs. limit (HOVER button turns cyan)

During Hovering controls are as follows:

• Stick (elevator) back: gain altitude, proportionally.
• Stick forward: loose altitude, proportionally.
• Stick neutral: altitude remains constant. When V/S-Hold is On, the current V/S is
maintained irrespective on Elevator position, so when V/S-hold is activated when
stick is neutral, this means an exact Altitude Hold.
• Stick left (ailerons): roll left and gain lateral speed.
• Stick right: roll right and gain lateral speed.
• Rudder: change heading.
• Throttle: no effect, auto-thrust is engaged: the computer controls thrust/throttle.
Also, while in hover mode, the computer automatically compensates wind, so with set
target speed of 0 and stick neutral, the F35B truly hovers in relation to the earth's
surface.
Head/tailwind component is compensated by setting nozzle more/less than 90 degrees,
while crosswind component is compensated by banking into the wind.
When the disengagement of STOVL mode is commanded in flight, full thrust is set, and
the aircraft accelerates quickly; when sufficient airspeed is reached (around 180 Knots),
STOVL mode control is released and you fly the plane as usual.

SHORT TAKE OFF (STO)

The typical take off for the F-35B is the Short Take Off (STO). Performing a short take off
is extremely easy:

– When the aicraft is still press the HOOK/STOVL button to initiate the conversion
– After conversion is complete, advance the throttle to FULL
– Perform rotation at about 80kts
– Above 300ft radar altitude retract landing gear
- Above 500 ft and 170 knots depress HOOK/STOVL button to convert to conventional
flight.
AUTOMATIC SHORT-TAKE-OFF

The F-35 features an automatic short take-off mode that will bring the airplane in the air
in the shortest possible distance. To engage this mode:
- set one portal view to FCS
- engage the STOVL mode
- engage the wheel brakes
- the AUTO TO option in the FCS page will turn light blue
- select the AUTO TO in the FCS screen
- release the brakes when ready to take-off
The plane will automatically acceleate, take-off in the shortest possible distance, retract
the landing gear and convert to conventional flight

SLOW FLIGHT

In order to engage slow flight mode from conventional flight, the aicraft must be below
240 kts IAS, and pitch and bank must be within +/-15 degrees from the horizon. To
transition from conventional flight to slow flight mode, the pilot shall:

- Decelerate to below 240 Knots

- Engage the STOVL mode by pressing the HOOK/STOVL.
- You now fly normally, with airspeeds between 75 and 200, depending on your throttle
lever setting.
- For stability, pitch/bank attitude is limited to +/- 30 degrees.
VERTICAL LANDING

Perfoming a vertical landing in the F-35 is very easy:

- Make sure that the aicraft gross weight is below 40600 lbs. Dump fuel or drop payload
as needed.

- Approach in “slow flight” mode.

- When near the landing spot, convert to auto-hover sub-mode (note: this is allowed
only if the aircraft is within the 40600lbs total weight limit, otherwise command is
rejected)

- The nozzle is set to 103 degrees, and the aircraft quickly decelerates to 0 knots
ground speed (“DECEL” shows in the HMD)

- Using stick, rudder and Target Speed control, hover to the landing spot; thrust/throttle
is auto-controlled and wind is auto-compensated.

- Target Speed (in the air: ground speed relative to the earth surface) can be set
between -20 and 50 Knots.

- When hovering over the landing spot, push the stick forward to land.

- After touchdown, the Hover-sub-mode is set Off, and thrust is set to Idle.

- Set the Parking Brakes, and move your throttle lever/wheel to Idle.

On a moving (AI) aircraft carrier, approach the carrier from behind, with a Target Speed
higher than the groundspeed of the carrier. When you are above the landing spot,
reduce target Speed to the groundspeed of the carrier, and push the stick forward to
land.
For some popular carriers, automatic detection of carrier speed is supported. You need
to dial the frequency into the NAV1 radio. E.g. for a default Acceleration carrier, this is
111.000 MHz. For Javier Fernandez's Nimitz carriers, frequency is 112.000 MHz, for
Clemenceau carrier it is 113MHz.

VERTICAL TAKE OFF

The F-35 is capable of vertical takeoff, but this is not the intended operation of the
aicraft, since to perform a vertical takeoff the gross weight must be below 40600lbs.,
with huge constraints to fuel and ordnance load.
WEAPON OPERATIONS WITH VRS TACPACK

WEAPONS CONFIGURATION

The F-35 comes with an in-game weapons configurator which is invoked (and removed
from the screen) by pressing SHIFT + 4.
If the simulation is not paused, the loads will immediately change and will show on the
external views and will be available for pilot selection.
Please note that the changing or reloading of weapons in a multiplayer session can be
limited by the host setting (and will, in most cases, be prohibited unless the aircraft is
still on the ground) – changing the weapons via the configurator will also reset the
Master Mode to NAV and the Master Arm to OFF.
Also, please note that changing the loads from the “fuel and payload” menu will not
generate working weapons: the weapons configurator menu is the tool you should use if
Tacpack is installed.
Last, please note that, unlike its siblings, the F-35B stations 2, 4, 8 and 10 are limited to
1500lbs loads.
Each aircraft model comes with a default weapon load, which is:
2 x AIM-120C; 2 x GBU-31 for F-35A
2 x AIM-120C, 2 x MK.83 + GUN POD for the F-35B
2 x AIM-120C; 2 x GBU-31 + GUN POD for F-35C
This default weapon load is driven by the default weights assigned to the load stations
in the aircraft.cfg and can be edited by the user – although we do not advise to do it if
you have not experienced in editing such files. Entries not compatible with the specific
stations will not work in the game (although weight will be applied to that station) – so
we advise not to use this method for changing the weapon load.

AIR-TO-AIR INTERCEPTION EXAMPLE

This chapter provides a “quick and dirty” step-by-step tutorial on how to perform an
A/A interception with the F-35 with the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Most of the steps are exactly the same for the AIM-9X (which will have, of course, a
much more limited range but can be directed to off-boresight targets with the HMD).
Once airborne, in order to designate a target and shoot a missile, you should:

– Select the AIM-120 AMRAAM from the SMS page (note the LOFT option is selected
by default). Alternatively, you could press CONTROL+SHIFT+3 to invoke the A/A Master
Mode and select the AIM-120 directly. Upon selection of the missile, the aicraft master
mode will switch to A-A.

– Master Arm shall be set to ON when appropriate

- Unless a Lock and Steer (L&S) Target was previously assigned, the AIM-120 shall be
initiated in VISUAL BORESIGHT launch mode (VISUAL shows in the HMD). Also, the
radar is set to a range of 40 Nautical Miles. This means that the missile will
automatically lock on the first target detected by its seeker after launch. This is not the
preferred mode to launch the missile, especially if there are friendly or neutral aircraft
in the area.

- It is possible to cycle through the detected targets by either pressing the ENTER key or
by directly clicking the MFD in the SRCH page.

- If a valid target is detected, it is designated as L&S target – a further depression of the

ENTER key or a click in the MFD will cycle to the next valid target. If all targets have been
cycled, the L&S designation is canceled and the missile returns to the Visual Boresight
mode.

- It is also possible to un-designate a target and return to the Visual Boresight by

pressing Control + U (Uncage) keys.

In the following image, a target has been designated. Its range is 23.8 nautical miles and
its closing at a velocity of 160knots. The aircraft will be steered to intercept it.
Once the target is within the minimum range, and the aircraft is steered so that the
steering dot is within the ASE circle, the SHOOT cue appears in the MFD and provided
that the Master Arm is ON, a missile is launched by pressing the TRIGGER button.
A/S ATTACK ON TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY

An air to surface targets can be:

- TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY (TOO) if it is designated directly by the pilot during the

flight

- PRE-PLANNED the target location has been set previous to the flight. In this case, a
corresponding waypoint in the flight plan must be set.

Weapons must be assigned to a TOO (default) or PP in the SEARCH page. If PP is

selected, an air-to-surface target point is generated at the current waypoint LAT and
LONG coordinates. Alternatively PP coordinates can be entered on the DTM PAGE.
The software supports GPS guided, Laser guided and dumb ordnance, as well as three
different release modes:

– AUTO (Automatic release mode), available to all guided weapons, provides steering
and range cues to the currently selected targets. Release of the ordnance is
inhibited unless a firing solution is found.

– MAN(Manual release mode), available to GPS guided weapons, is similar to the

AUTO mode but does not inhibit ordnance release

– CCIP
(Constantly Computed Impact Point), available for all weapons but the
JSOW, projects onto the HMD the calculated point of impact if the weapon is
immediately released (note: this does not take in account the time required for
weapon bays to open, therefore internal weapons should be released slightly in
advance).

Please note that, regardless of the release mode, if a designated target exists and if a
guided weapon is selected, its GPS coordinates will be loaded into the guidance system
and, if it is a laser-guided weapon and the aircraft is within the maximum release
distance, laser designator will be automatically turned on and lazed onto the target. It is
recommended that guided weapons are released on designated targets.

NOTE: In order to detect a laser spot designator, laser-guided weapons must have been
set with the proper laser code. Laser code can be entered or changed in the TFLIR page
– this code is both associated to the laser spot produced by the EOTS and is the code
that laser-guided bombs will look for. In cooperative multiplayer is therefore possible to
hit targets designated by others or designate targets for other aircrafts.
Following is an example of a JDAM release onto a TOO designated through the HMD:

- select the bomb, by clicking on it in the SMS page or by selecting the A/S master mode
and then cycling through the available weapons with key “W” or by clicking on the
center of the SMS page.

- upon initial selection, the GBU-31 release mode is set to CCIP. This is changed by
clicking on the “RELEASE” tag on the SMS page. AUTO mode is selected.

- Designate the target with the HMD by pressing the “Trigger” button.

- Release indications appear in the lower right corner. Upon target designation, the GPS
coordinates are loaded into the weapon seeker circuitry.

- Aircraft is then steered in a proper position to release the ordnance. In the AUTO mode
the release in inhibited unless the target is within the maximum range and the steering
error is below 20 degrees.

In the picture below, the designated target is 4.8 nautical miles away, and the Time To
Release is 0 seconds (weapon can be released now), steering error is just few degrees.
REALISM AND SIMULATION FIDELITY – LIST OF KNOWN
INACCURACIES

While we tried our best to provide a reasonable simulation fidelity and a level of realism
that we hope can be considered acceptable for most users, this package is a very
simplified simulation of the F-35.
Being the plane still under development and testing, much information is classified
including actual flight envelope and precise information on avionics.
On the other hand, there is also a lot of information publicly available – and there are
more pictures, articles, pilot reports, and YouTube videos than you would think, and we
advise you to check them out for very interesting information about this fantastic flying
machine.
We tried to achieve a reasonable compromise between realism, guess-work, usability in
a home-computer simulation environment and development time and resources.
It is not perfect, but we hope that the complexity and the quality will be satisfactory for
most users. Here is a short list of some of the most outstanding inaccuracies and
shortcomings of the package:

• Multi-function display – some pages of the MFD are quite accurate, at least if
compared to the latest screenshots and training videos. Still, much of the top “bar” has
been modified for usage in P3D. Also, in the real F-35 the TSD screen can zoom and pan
to specific locations.

• Radar and sensor fusion – one of the most amazing feature of the F-35 is its radar
and the ability to merge the information coming from a wide variety of sources in
order to provide the pilot an unprecedented situational awareness. Unfortunately, we
did not have the skill and resources to mimic this in the simulation, although we tried
our best. In the current release, sensor fusion is not supported.

• F-35B– the shape of the cockpit of the real F-35B offers a better side visibility than
the one we modeled, which is almost identical to the -A and -C.

Anyway, with all the inaccuracies of this package, we have good reasons to believe that
this is the most realistic and complete rendition of the Lightning II ever seen in a
home environment and we hope it provides an acceptable rendition of what it is like
to fly what is most likely THE most advanced fighter in the world today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q - Is this package compatible with FSX?

A - This package has been designed from the beginning for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D V2.5 +
Tacpack, and leverages some peculiar features of this platform, specifically for the
avionics. However we have provided a FSX installer that will install a version deprived by the
P3D-dependent features. Still, please note that the FSX version is just a bonus and is NOT
OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED .

Q- Wait...but isn't your F-35 a freeware project?

A- Well... it was. Meaning, the FSX F-35 package is freeware (up to version 2.41). The
version depicted in this page is version 3 - which is payware. The reason for this is that the
development costs have been quite high - mostly to pay for the enhanced meshes for the
new visual model. I am sorry but this project cannot be distributed for free.

Q- Well...how is this different from the freeware version?

In the past two years, a lot of new information and data about the F-35 has been made
available to the public, and this package leverages this as much as we could. For one, the
3D models are much better, with more realistic and detailed textures. Also, the flight model
has been improved. And the MFD and pilot interface have been vastly reworked: a lot of
work has been put in making the look and feel of the MFD more realistic and implementing
features like DAS and TFLIR.

Q- Is Tacpack required?
A- The package has been designed from the beginning to leverage some specific Tacpack
features to provide a more realistic depiction of the F-35 avionics. If Tacpack is not
installed, following functions will not work: weapons configurator, ordnance release, TWD,
chaffs, flares, DAS imagery, TFLIR imagery, HMDS off-boresight symbology. Basically you
can fly...and nothing more.

Q- What about P3D version 3? How is this different from the stock F-35 that comes with P3Dv3?
A- The "stock" P3Dv3 version is a simplified version I provided to Lockheed Martin (for
free) as I was not happy with the previous rendition, but it is actually a much simplified
version of this package.

Q – How can you be sure that this product provides a realistic simulation of the F-35?
A – Well, we cannot. Very few individuals have flown the F-35 and the plane is being tested
and tweaked as we speak. We tried our best to provide a realistic behavior, but some
guessing had to be done.

Q – White navigation light is missing! How could you forget that?

A – We did not include the white light just because we were not able to find its location on
the real plane... so we preferred to leave it out.

Q – Autopilot altitude hold is sometimes missing the commanded altitude! What is wrong?
A – This new rendition offers a better (albeit much less responsive) autopilot... still in some
cases it may still misbehave. If big altitude changes are programmed, we advise to turn off
the Auto-Throttle feature for better stability.

Q – In many cases, when sitting still on the ground, the aircraft shakes a little and may even
change its heading slightly... what is happening?
A – Although this was sometimes perceived as a “feature”, this is a known bug. We have
tried several times to fix this but we were unable to find the root cause although it
seems related to an instability in the contact points/landing gear behavior. In the previous
iteration (1.0), we supplied an alternate aircraft.cfg with a different (and inaccurate) location
of the contact points that solved the bug. Unfortunately, the same fix does not seem to work
in version 2.0. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that this bug does not detract too
much from the experience.

Q – Is there a repaint kit for the F-35?

A – A proper paint kit is not available, nor it will be. Clean, uncompressed textures will be
provided in the near future. Despite the lack of a proper paint kit, we are looking forward to
see the amazing liveries that the community will create.

Q – Are there additional features planned for future updates?

A – No. We will surely listen to the users' feedback and needs, and will release patches or
fixes if necessary (and we hope it won't be necessary), but apart from those we do not plan
to upgrade the product or add features.

Q – I am experiencing strange behaviors of the simulator when using AccuFeel modules.

A – This project is not compatible with Accu-Feel. Specifically, the F-35B vertical flight
module is not compatible. F-35A and F-35C should not have this problem.
CREDITS

Product design, modeling, textures, documentation, XML coding and

graphics.............................................................................................................Dino Cattaneo
Flight model..........................................................................................................Roy Holmes
Custom (Virtual) Head Up Display.......................................................Jivko “Neutrino” Rusev
STOVL module.................................................................................................Rob Barendregt
SSWVTOL.dll.........................................................................................................Mario Motta
Original F/A-18 Hornet HUD XML code.................................................................Scott Printz
Custom sound package.........................................................................................Serge Luzin
Weapons models........................................................................Vertical Reality Simulations
New BFI kindly provided by IRIS Simulation Software.
Special thanks to the Beta Testing team and to all the people who supported the F-35
project over all these years.

The aircraft external models are based on meshes from Camelot Inc. and acquired through
Turbosquid Inc.

This manual includes public domain text and pictures taken from Wikipedia.
VRS Tacpack is copyrighted by Vertical Reality Simulations.

DISCLAIMER

This SOFTWARE PRODUCT is provided by THE PROVIDER "as is" and "with all faults."
THE PROVIDER makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the safety,
suitability, lack of viruses, inaccuracies, typographical errors, or other harmful components of
this SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
There are inherent dangers in the use of any software, and you are solely responsible for
determining whether this SOFTWARE PRODUCT is compatible with your equipment and other
software installed on your equipment. You are also solely responsible for the protection of your
equipment and backup of your data, and THE PROVIDER will not be liable for any damages you
may suffer in connection with using, modifying, or distributing this SOFTWARE PRODUCT
Other than for personal uses of the purchaser, copying, modifying or redistributing this
software is illegal.

Copyright © 2018 by Dino Cattaneo. This package contains files and work by Jivko Rusev,
Scott Printz, Mario Motta, Serge Luzin and others used under permission.
Please see the F-35B/panel/rcb-gauges folder for End User License Agreement for
sswvtol.dll module.
CONTACTS

Look for IndiaFoxtEcho on Facebook for the official Facebook page or browse to the official
blog at:

Indiafoxtecho.blogspot.com

Email address is indiafoxtecho@gmail.com