Non-Stop Flight From Texas To California Signals Test Flight Expansion

Two F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters flew nonstop from their final-assembly site in Fort Worth, TX, to Edwards Air Force Base, CA, Monday, signaling a further expansion of F-35 flight test operations. The arrival is the first in a series that will increase the Edwards F-35 test fleet to at least eight aircraft.

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U.S. Air Force Test Pilot Lt. Col. Hank "Hog" Griffiths and Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot Jon Beesley flew the jets, known as AF-1 and AF-2, nonstop in the first multi-ship, long-range F-35 flight.

"The ferry flight went very smoothly, and reflects how the Air Force and Lockheed Martin will work cooperatively as we enter long-term F-35 testing at Edwards," Beesley said. During the jets' deployment to Edwards, the F-35s will undergo ground- and flight-test activities for propulsion, aerial refueling, logistical support, weapons integration and flight-envelope expansion.

"Through rigorous flight testing we are developing dominant and lethal 5th generation fighter capability for America and her allies," said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 test and verification. "This historic moment at Edwards Air Force Base begins the planned expansion of F-35 flight test to a third permanent operating location. Lockheed Martin F-35A flight testing is a highly integrated partnership with the United States Air Force." Three F-35s are currently undergoing flight trials at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD, the primary test site for the F-35B short takeoff/ vertical landing variant and the F-35C carrier variant. F-35s have conducted more than 200 test flights, with six additional test aircraft scheduled to begin flying and deploying to the two test sites this year.

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The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (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 and Norway will employ the F-35A.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com