Flight Test Plans for First F-35B

[Renegade One]

LOCKHEED LAYS OUT FLIGHT TEST PLANS FOR FIRST F-35B: Lockheed Martin plans to complete 20 flights with the first F-35B Joint Strike Fighter in conventional "up and away" mode before replacing the engine to allow short take-off and landing (STOVL) tests to begin. Aircraft BF-1 is expected to fly twice more this week after completing its 45-minute first flight on June 11. It has joined aircraft AA-1, a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A, in the test program. STOVL "build-down" testing will involve 20 flights during which the aircraft will be flown progressively lower and slower until it completes a slow landing at Fort Worth. BF-1 will then relocate to the U.S. Navy’s test center at Patuxent River, Md., for the first full vertical landings. These will be followed by short take-off tests, Heinz says. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, has delivered the STOVL static-test airframe, BG-1, and the second flight-test aircraft, BF-2, is expected to roll off the line in July and fly in January 2009. BF-3 and BF-4 are expected to follow by the end of the second quarter. Heinz says the first flight of the production-representative BF-1 keeps the STOVL JSF on track to achieve initial operational capability with the U.S. Marine Corps in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. (Aerospace Daily & Defense Report)

Just thought some would be interested.

V/R, Spike

 

[squeeze]

Pics of BF-01 all painted up:

 

[FLY_USMC]

Gotta love those VEN's! Undoubtedly a killing tool in their own right.

 

[sodajones]

"VEN?"

Please enlighten me.

 

[Dirty]

"VEN?"

Please enlighten me.

Variable Exhaust Nozzle

bookmark for future reference throughout your Naval career

www.acronymfinder.com

you now have light

 

[squeeze]

Gotta love those VEN's! Undoubtedly a killing tool in their own right.

Hurrrrrrrrrrrrr the Harrier is a deathtrap hurrrrrrrrrr.

 

[jarhead]

found some pics floating around the net of it on final with a Hornet ... looks like it has a higher AOA on approach than the Hornet. I wonder how heavy that helmet is. Aft vis is going to suck. Landing gear is AF'ish, i.e. girly (but light!) no tailhook

It's a good looking jet, slick looking.

1st photo by Keith Robinson; no info on other two - none were copyrighted

 

[JD81]

Forward opening canopy? That looks slightly goofy. It does look like a tall jet though.

 

[Beans]

The C-model should be the one w/ beefier gear... shouldn't it?

 

[SemperGumbi]

Interesting note on the '18/JSF picture is the stab angle on the two. Looks like the JSF is not holding it's nose up as much. I realize there are way too many factors to really make much of that, but it's still interesting...