June 6, 2013 F-35A completes 1st in-flight missile launch An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the first in-flight missile launch of an AIM-120 over the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, June 5. It was the first launch where the F-35 and AIM-120 demonstrated a successful launch-to-eject communications sequence and fired the rocket motor
Oct. 17, 2012 F-35A completes first in-flight weapons release An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition from a 5th Generation fighter, Oct. 16. The flight was conducted by Maj. Eric "Doc" Schultz, 461st Flight Test Squadron. The aircraft, known
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.