First night flight for F-35

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has made its first night flight, Lockheed Martin has announced.

F-35A AF-6 took off from Edwards Air Force Base at 5.05pm on January 18, landing after sunset at 6.22pm, with the jet, flown by Lockheed Martin test pilot Mark Ward, flying a series of straight in approaches in twilight and darkness. Ward also evaluated the F-35’s cockpit lighting, saying it was “the best he’s ever seen”.

Lockheed Martin says night refuelling and formation test flights will take place later this year.

Meanwhile F-35B BF-7 was delivered to the Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base on January 19.

BF-7 joins two other F-35Bs and six F-35As at Eglin –  more than at any other US base.