Members of the Advanced Fighter Evaluation Team of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center here have joined the test force in an effort to enhance the test process and provide a better end product to the warfighter, according to CTF officials. Normally, the process for testing an aircraft starts with the developmental testing and then moves into operational testing. Developmental testing involves demonstrating that the aircraft will meet or exceed specifications laid out by the Air Force in requirements documents.
Items tested include speed, stealth capability, sensor performance and weapons delivery.
Operational testing is geared toward using the aircraft in its role as a fighter plane. Operational test looks at how the aircraft handles during simulated air combat, how the sensors perform in a multi-bogey jamming environment, or how easily the pilot can employ weapons against a maneuvering target. One example of operational input improving the F-22 can be seen in the aircraft's instrument panel design. I had to roll the aircraft to see those areas the instrument panel was blocking. Operational fighter pilots were instrumental in coming up with the final cockpit design that will greatly reduce the blockage.