Aug. 1, 2016 F-35A completes first live air-to-air ‘kill’ test The F-35 Lightning II advanced its combat capability by launching an air-to-air missile and directly hitting a drone over a military test range off the California coast July 28. U.S. Air Force test pilot, Maj. Raven LeClair, employed an AIM-9X missile from an F-35A's external wing against an aerial
March 26, 2012 F-35A completes first night refueling mission The first night refueling in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program was completed March 26 at Edwards Air Force Base. Piloted by Lt. Col. Peter Vitt, 461st Flight Test Squadron director of operations, AF-4, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant, rendezvoused with an Air Force
Nov. 10, 2015 F-35A enters BAF for first time to undergo electromagnetic effects tests An F-35A Lightning II entered the Benefield Anechoic Facility for the first time Sept. 14. The aircraft is undergoing Electromagnetic Environmental Effects testing, called E3 or "Triple E" by the team."What that means is we're testing the different electronic components on the jet and making sure
Oct. 22, 2015 F-35A successfully fires GAU-22/A 25mm Gun in flight The F-35A successfully fired the GAU-22/A 25mm Gun system for the first time while in flight Oct. 30, 2015. The aircraft recently completed ground gun firing test at the Edwards Gun Harmonization range with good results enabling progression to first flight. This is one more step in validating the
Feb. 25, 2016 F-35A turns to MHAFB for deployment training The F-35A is at the point in its life where it's taking the first lap around the track away from home. The 31st Test Evaluation Squadron from Edwards AFB, Calif., is at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, to put the aircraft, its staff and equipment, through a series of operational tests to determine just how
Feb. 22, 2016 F-35As from Edwards test readiness at Mountain Home AFB Six F-35As arrived at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2016, from Edwards AFB, Calif., to begin an operational deployment test at a nearby range complex. The test will help develop the concept of operations as well as validate the aircraft's capability to deploy.In order for the U.S. Air Force to
March 13, 2013 F-35B arrives at Edwards for missions systems testing The F-35 Integrated Test Force expanded their aircraft inventory Mar. 5 with the arrival of BF-17, which is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35 Lightning II and is operated by the Marine Corps. The aircraft arrived from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and will
Sept. 4, 2012 F-35B completes first airborne engine start tests The short take-off and vertical landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter successfully completed a major prerequisite test for in-flight performance Aug. 15.BF-2 completed the first air starts, which test the ability of the F-35's propulsion system to restart during flight.
Aug. 1, 2014 F-35B completes wet runway, crosswind testing In an important program milestone enabling U.S. Marines Corps Initial Operational Capability certification, the F-35B recently completed required wet runway and crosswind testing at here at Edwards."This testing is absolutely critical to 2B flight software fleet release and the Marine Corps' IOC,"
July 25, 2012 F-35B model lands at Edwards BF-2 taxis in after arriving at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., July 23, 2012 in order to begin airstart testing at the 461st Flight Test Squadron. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matt Kelly flew the aircraft from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. BF-2 is the F-35B variant of the Joint Strike