Trial Validates Readiness For Future Test Deployment
The first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter has finished
all planned testing at California's Edwards Air Force Base,
demonstrating that the aircraft, the support crews, and contractor
and military service personnel are ready for the dramatically
expanded flight testing on the program's horizon.
"This initial round of testing at Edwards is just the
beginning," said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of
the F-35 Integrated Test Force. "The exceptional performance of the
aircraft and those supporting it shows that the team is ready for
the fast-paced flight test activities upcoming at Edwards and
[Naval Air Station] Patuxent River, Maryland."
By the end of 2009, all 19 F-35 test aircraft will be complete
and flight test activities will intensify, leading to Initial
Operational Test & Evaluation in the 2013-2014 time frame.
During the three-week deployment at Edwards, most of the F-35's
activity centered on a set of crucial tests that validated the
aircraft's ability to shut down and restart its engine in flight.
During the tests -- conducted to ensure that the aircraft can
regain power and be flown safely in the event of an unanticipated
engine flameout -- the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan repeatedly
restarted on command.
"Our goal was to collect in-flight data during 12 specific test
cases over Edwards, and we did exactly that," Pearson said. "The
initial data review and pilot-reported results are very favorable
and meet or exceed our expectations."
With all Edwards testing successfully completed, F-35 Test Pilot
Jeff Knowles will fly the aircraft back to Lockheed Martin's Fort
Worth, TX plant this week.
"In addition to confirming that the engine spools up and
restarts very quickly after being shut off in flight, we found that
the airplane itself showed high reliability and was always ready
for its next mission," Knowles said. "That kind of performance in
an early development plane bodes well for the aircraft we deliver
to the fleet."
The deployment began on October 1 when Knowles flew the
Lightning II nonstop from Fort Worth to Edwards, landing "code
one," or without any aircraft discrepancies.
"Our modeling and simulation indicated a robust propulsion
system design. With the completion of testing at Edwards I am even
more confident we have an excellent design that demonstrates
appropriate performance and margin to accommodate unplanned
conditions if encountered," Pearson said, adding that support from
the US Air Force and the F-35 logistics team were outstanding and
"enabled us to meet every scheduled event."
The F-35 involved in the testing is a conventional takeoff and
landing variant that has completed 63 flights.
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