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Wed, Dec 24, 2008

Weight-Optimized F-35 Test Fleet Adds CTOL Variant

First Production-Spec Conventional Lightning II In Test Program

Lockheed Martin announced this week it rolled out the first weight-optimized conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 Lightning II fighter on December 19. The new F-35A, called AF-1, joins three weight-optimized F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variants currently undergoing testing.

The aircraft are structurally identical to the F-35s scheduled to be delivered to armed services beginning in 2010.

"The Lightning II CTOL aircraft will be, by far, the most widely employed F-35 variant in the world, with more than 1,700 to be used by the U.S. Air Force alone," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. "The F-35A we delivered is, at its core, the same aircraft that will enter operational service with the Air Force and international customers."

The first F-35A, known as AA-1, has completed 69 flights, and has a production-representative external shape and internal systems.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com, www.teamjsf.com

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