Looking ahead

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. – U.S. Air Force crew chiefs Master Sgt. Timothy Weaver and Tech. Sgt. Lucas Delk from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base work with Pedro Vera, Lockheed Martin Airframe Powerplant Group, inside the F-35C internal weapons bay at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Seven airmen from Eglin are embedded with the F-35 Integrated Test Facility team here to gain hands-on experience on the F-35B and F-35C variants in preparation for the first Joint Strike Fighter arrival at Eglin and start of F-35 training for the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

first production JSF

The first F-35A production aircraft that will be delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., later this year takes off from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base May 6 with Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti at the controls. The jet will go to Edwards AFB, Calif., to support developmental testing shortly after the Air Force takes delivery. As the first of its kind in the Department of Defense, the 33rd Fighter Wing is responsible for F-35 A/B/C (Joint Strike Fighter) pilot and maintainer training for the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Air Force and, in the future, at least eight coalition partners. Initially, 59 aircraft and three flying squadrons, one for each service/aircraft variant, will be established at Eglin. (Courtesy photo)

Low flying

Robert Owens, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron, brings the new F-35 Lightning II static display into place in front of the 53rd Wing building Nov. 3. The static display compliments the F-22 display on the left side of the entrance. The 53rd Wing will be responsible for the operational testing of the F-35 aircraft. (Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Slight adjustment

Robert Owens, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron, prepares to slide the new F-35 Lightning II static display into place in front of the 53rd Wing building Nov. 3. The static display compliments the F-22 display on the left side of the entrance. The 53rd Wing will be responsible for the operational testing of the F-35 aircraft. (Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Hover craft

The first Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short takeoff, vertical landing stealth fighter demonstrated the capability to hover March 17, during a test flight at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The flight was a significant test mission leading up to the aircraft’s first vertical landing. It confirmed predictions of the jet’s vertical thrust, stability and control in hovering flight. The flight began with a conventional takeoff before F-35 lead STOVL Pilot Graham Tomlinson initiated conversion to STOVL mode at 200 knots airspeed. He then slowed the aircraft to 60 knots and flew a decelerating approach to a zero airspeed hover at 150 feet above the runway. This marked the first free air hover in the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. Upon reaching zero airspeed, the pilot executed test points to confirm the controllability of the aircraft in the hover. After completing all hover test points, the pilot executed a STOVL landing at 70 knots airspeed. Later in the day, BF-1 performed the first F-35 short takeoff. Matching performance predictions, the F-35B accelerated down the runway in STOVL mode and lifted off at 100 knots using less than 1000 feet of runway. The successful tests are the latest steps in demonstrating the F-35B’s ability to conduct operations from small ships and unprepared fields, enabling expeditionary operations around the world.

Nice HUD

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Navy Capt. Mike Saunders, 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, tries on the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter helmet after getting measured for the new flight suit. The new pilot equipment includes everything from underwear to cold weather outer gear to anti-G garments. The measurement brought Eglin one step closer to being able to commence training, said Marine Col. Arthur Tomassetti, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)