F-35A development aircraft AF-01 and AF-02 have flown from Lockheed Martin’s Forth Worth factory in Texas nonstop to Edwards AFB in California to commence flight test operations with the USAF.
The two aircraft are the first of eight to be eventually based at Edwards for propulsion, aerial refuelling, logistical support, weapons integration and flight envelope expansion activities. “This historic moment at Edwards AFB begins the planned expansion of F-35 flight test to a third permanent operating location,” said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 test and verification. “Lockheed Martin F-35A flight testing is a highly integrated partnership with the USAF.”
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Three F-35B STOVL development aircraft are based at the US Navy’s test facility at NAS Patuxent River near Washington DC, while the first F-35C is due to join the flight test program shortly.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.