Lockheed Martin flies first production F-35 stealth fighter
The first production-model F-35 Lightning II banks to the right on its inaugural flight near Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. The supersonic stealth jet will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force this spring. (Lockheed Martin photo by David Drais)
The first production model of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II made its inaugural flight today in preparation for delivery to the U.S. Air Force this spring. The jet will head to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to support developmental testing shortly after the Air Force takes delivery.
“The aircraft was rock-solid from takeoff to landing, and successfully completed all the tests we put it through during the flight,” said Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Bill Gigliotti. “The Air Force is getting a great jet that represents a huge leap in capability, and we’re looking forward to getting it into the hands of the service pilots in just a few more weeks.”
During the flight, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A variant, known as AF-6, underwent basic flight maneuvering and engine tests. Test Pilot Gigliotti took off from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at 3:05 p.m. CST and landed at 4:05 p.m. The jet will continue flight tests in Fort Worth for about a month before it is accepted by the Air Force.
The F-35A CTOL variant – designed to meet U.S. Air Force requirements – is also the primary export version of the Lightning II. The air forces of Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway and Israel will employ the F-35A.
Deliveries of the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant to the U.S. Marine Corps also begin this year, while deliveries of the F-35C carrier variant to the U.S. Navy start in 2012. Seventeen F-35s have entered testing since December 2006, and have logged more than 650 flights and numerous ground tests.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
Provided by Lockheed Martin
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Feb 28, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (2)
Feb 28, 2011
Rank: 1.8 / 5 (5)
Yeah.
Without the engine it really needs and one of the most important parts of the electronics package I don't even think I'd really call it a 5th gen plane. I'm sure they will complete the project one of these days and then upgrade all the existing planes for three times the cost of building them right in the first place, but that's government efficiency for you. Why spend a dollar today when you can spend 5 dollars tomorrow to get the same thing? That's progress!
Mar 01, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Mar 01, 2011
Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
Yes, the platform will get many upgrades throughout its lifecycle but these are expected and planned for. The F-35 has a huge amount of room for expansion. This allows for a functional jet to meet todays requirements while providing for growth in tomorrows mission. You can't just ignore air defense because you don't have the "perfect plane".
Mar 01, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
it is quite a sales pitch -- watch the first three videos attached to the article... i stopped at that point cause i was afraid the next couple videos would have an american flag watermark with 'Proud to be an American' playing in the backgroud showing the planes blow up stuff... those videos + the article make quite a sales pitch, but I am not a general with a few billion to blow on planes.
Mar 01, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
It's extra difficult to sell this plane as a good idea when most of the really cutting-edge stuff can't be shown to the public.
Lastly, keep in mind that it's Lockheed Martin making most of these videos to advertise their own products, just like any other company would advertise. Goodrich advertises with these videos, too, even though they only make the landing gear.
Ok, I'm tired of defending the barrage of promotional videos... if I can't personally own one, I don't want to see the promotions!
Mar 01, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Are we going to start another war (that will cost money and we will lose)?
China..Russia...forget. Iran? Another sucker deal for the taxpayers and the real suckers...those that die.The enlisted.
Mar 01, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Why would we forget these countries?
To answer your question, though: We'll use them against a determined enemy that is more prepared for war than we are. They wouldn't attack if they didn't expect to win swiftly.
If we stay on the cutting edge of military technology, perhaps this enemy will never present itself. However, if we fail to invest in this technology and in the training of our troops, the unknown enemy will be poised to gain the advantage and might use it.
If everyone in every war knew exactly who their enemies were before the war started, history would've been a lot different.
Mar 02, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
We will have a new plane and better technology in a few years. Today's enemies are not in a position where they would have an air force, let alone a comparable one to ours. (terrorists)
Russia would not be able to afford a war against almost anyone at this point, and we all know their military technology has been lagging far behind our own for at least a decade.
China while they have the actual man-power have not put in the capital to develop and mass-produce fighters that would be on par with what we already have in our arsenal.
Neither China or Russia will have the funds to wage a war on our soil, unless it is a nuclear based war, in which case what sort of fighter jets we have probally won't be much of an issue.
Fighter jets are only useful for the USA in the case of foreign action. When we use our military as the world police force, and when we start wars on foreign soil. Not for domestic Defense.
Mar 06, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Mar 06, 2011
Rank: not rated yet