USAF performs first F-35A rapid crew swap exercise

PILOTS AND maintainers from the USAF’s 388th Fighter Wing (FW) recently completed the first F-35A rapid crew swap exercise, which reduces time between sorties. The manoeuvres took place at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, making use of the new Prognostics Health Management (PHM) system that assesses the status of the F-35A as it is flying and after it lands. During a rapid crew swap, the pilot takes off, completes the mission, lands and takes on fuel while another pilot takes