I don't disagree that the roles that the F-35 is intended to fill would be better handled by several other, dedicated aircraft, especially given how specialized each variant of the F-35 is. Do you have a link to something that notes the USN looking at the Su-33 as a replacement for the F-14? I find that EXTREMELY…

Thank you for including information about seasoning the rotors and properly bedding the pads. I can't tell you how many people I know that either just don't know about that, or just don't care. This should be done, even on a brand new car, fresh from the dealer! It strengthens the iron in the rotors, and creates a…

It's no different with military testing. We test at board level, system level (whole chassis), cabinet level, compartment level (computer room), and ship level. Of course, I'm not counting something like ship qualifications or trials in my timelines, as they're completely out of scope for a small-ish system.

The problem, and I see this with my government customers, as well, is that there are too many mid-level project managers, who don't add anything, other than just give a rubber stamp to a part, project, or process. We also tend to rely too often on outside organizations, and conflicting priorities cause some projects…

You do realize that if a system dies on an aircraft carrier, and they have to turn that carrier around, it's a pretty big freaking deal, right? I understand statistical likelihoods, but you're talking about an infotainment system, as opposed to one that determines where to drop bombs.

That testing is done concurrently with baseline development, as well as by other sister programs. This way, we can leverage a huge amount of testing without having to qual every component over and over again. It's a similar scheme as what we've done with Common Criteria, though that deals more with hardware and…

What's scary? That we can utilize COTS components, COTS software, and GOTS software, integrate them, test them, and field them rapidly? That's a pretty damn good thing, both from a capabilities standpoint, and a cost standpoint!

That appears so. As for the F-22, it appears that it can hold roughly the same, internally - 2 x 1,000# JDAM, 2 x AMRAAM, 2 x Sidewinder.

I get that, but there are so many things that can be done via software, and a lot of things that are already built into COTS software products. I don't have the time to go into things this morning, but let's just look at the main topic of your post, using GPS where you have no data connection. Google Maps has had…

I think it's more that there's an organizational resistance to change in the auto industry despite consumers wanting more, cheaper, better, whatever. GM has some of the best engineers in the world, and I can't claim to be as good as them, I just feel that using more agile methods would allow them to better bring…

Have you ever heard of the Cryptologic Carry-On Program? It's designed specifically to get new capabilities onto ships in short timeframes via accelerated development. I just got a system designed, built, accredited (IA), and ready for deployment in less than three months.

My Nexus 5 does none of that, nor did my Nexus 4 before it. Also, the only time I have appreciable problems with my phone is when it has been running for days, on end, say an uptime of more than 96 hours. When was the last time someone actually ran a vehicle, non-stop, for 96 hours? The system would be continuously…

I also believe that dashes should not be overly complicated, and with proper design, they aren't. The only well executed in-dash system I've dealt with is the Chrysler/Dodge uConnect system. Ford's is frustrating, to say the least, Mercedes is decent, but the voice commands are very lacking. I don't have enough…

It could be argued that the processor is the engine of the computer, or at little else, the power supply is.

You've got a point, but I'm used to working with the military, integrating for them, and their lead times, and support requirements, are an order of magnitude longer than an automotive manufacturer. We can get things designed, accredited, and accepted for production in less than six months, depending on the…

As a systems engineer, I just don't understand why they need two years and that much money to integrate an OS that's already been integrated on cheap, simple tablets. The touch interface doesn't need to be anything different than what's commonly available.

I'm listening to 'Unsung' by Helmet, and it's perfect!

The F-35 is not an air superiority fighter or interceptor. It's a multi-role fighter, and it is most analogous to the F-16 or F/A-18A/B/C/D models. It has land attack, air-to-air, and other capabilities, and can be used as an interceptor, when needed, but it's not intended to fulfill the F-14s former role as a fleet…

I'm not sure how you can accurately judge the characteristics of an aircraft you've likely never worked on, definitely never flown, and hasn't even achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), yet. Every aircraft has development issues. If you think otherwise, you've not done any research, and you're just reacting…

My buddy is Kelly Johnson's great nephew, and he's got some great, great stories. Like, amazing stuff. I'd love for him to write a book, someday!