Lockheed Martin’s Navy JSF Completes Historic Flight-Test Program
Source: Lockheed Martin
March 12, 2001
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) X-35C, flying at a rate of up to six missions per day,
completed its flight-test program with all objectives achieved on
Sunday, March 11, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The
airplane logged a total of 73 flights and 58 hours aloft.
"This is a milestone in what is clearly one of the most
successful flight-test programs in aviation history," said Tom
Burbage, executive vice president and general manager of the Lockheed
Martin JSF program. "Our team kept the X-35C’s design common with our
other JSF variants, but gave this plane some unique features to
optimize it for carrier operations. The outcome, as we’ve shown in
flight testing, is a magnificent carrier strike aircraft that for the
first time will bring the element of stealth technology to the Navy."
The X-35C carrier variant (CV), designed to demonstrate
carrier-suitable flying qualities for the United States Navy, first
flew on Dec. 16, 2000. On Jan. 31, it became the second Lockheed
Martin JSF demonstrator to fly supersonic, and on Feb. 10 it flew from
coast to coast, becoming the first "X" plane in history to complete a
transcontinental flight. Eight pilots have flown the aircraft.
"I could tell from the first flight that the X-35C was
going to be representative of a very good carrier plane. When we began
aggressive FCLPs (field carrier landing practices) the aircraft really
showed off its superb responsiveness and controllability," said test
pilot Joe Sweeney, a former U.S. Navy carrier pilot. "We deliberately
forced errors in the glide slope, speed and line-up, challenging the
plane’s ability to respond, and it performed exceedingly well. I can’t
say enough about this engineering and flight test team."
During an FCLP, the pilot shoots an approach exactly as
he would on an aircraft carrier. The X-35C, which features a larger
wing and control surfaces than the other JSF variants, completed 250
FCLPs during testing.
"We put the airplane through a battery of practice
carrier approaches in a very short time. The airplane’s performance
was outstanding," said Lt. Cmdr. Greg Fenton, a U.S. Navy test pilot
assigned to the X-35. "Several of Strike’s Landing Signal Officers
(LSOs) got an opportunity to observe the airplane ’on the ball’, and
were quite impressed with its ability to handle intentional deviations
during the practice carrier landings."
The X-35C becomes the second Lockheed Martin JSF variant
to successfully complete a flight-test program. The JSF X-35A
conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant finished its testing
on Nov. 22, 2000, establishing a host of new flight-test records. Both
aircraft completed all test points required by the government, as well
as additional Lockheed Martin JSF team objectives designed to reduce
technical risk.
JSF X-35 Milestones 2001
March 11 - The X-35C completes its flight-test program
with all objectives achieved.
March 10 - The X-35B achieves full operational thrust
from its STOVL propulsion system, and completes force and moment
testing.
March 1 - The X-35C, piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Greg Fenton
(USN), successfully completes its 100th field carrier landing practice
(FCLP) test.
Feb. 22 - The short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) JSF
X-35B begins testing its shaft-driven lift-fan propulsion system on a
specially designed hover pit.
Feb. 18 - Lt. Cmdr. Greg Fenton becomes the second U.S.
Navy pilot, and the eighth pilot overall, to fly the X-35C.
Feb. 9-10 - The X-35C completes a 2,500-mile
transcontinental flight from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to
Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. The coast-to-coast flight is
believed to be the first ever for an "X" plane.
Jan. 31 - The X-35C flies supersonic.
Jan. 30 - Maj. Art Tomassetti becomes the first U.S.
Marine to fly the X-35C 2000
Dec. 28-29 - The shaft-driven lift fan is installed in
the JSF X-35B short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant.
Dec. 22 - Lt. Cmdr. Brian Goszkowicz becomes the first
U.S. Navy pilot to fly the X-35C.
Dec. 16 - The X-35C, piloted by Joe Sweeney, makes its
first flight, from Palmdale, Calif., to Edwards Air Force Base.
Nov. 22 - The X-35A completes its flight-test program
with all objectives and test points achieved.
Nov. 21 - The X-35A flies supersonic.
Nov. 18 - Squadron Leader Justin Paines becomes the
first Royal Air Force pilot to fly the X-35A.
Nov. 11 - The X-35A completes its first aerial
refueling. Chief Test Pilot Tom Morgenfeld praised the plane’s
stability, saying, "Far and away the easiest tanking I’ve done."
Nov. 10 - Maj. Art Tomassetti becomes the first U.S.
Marine to fly the X-35A.
Nov. 3 - Lt. Col. Paul Smith becomes the first U.S. Air
Force pilot to fly the X-35A
Oct. 24 - The X-35A, piloted by Tom Morgenfeld, makes
its first flight, from Palmdale, Calif., to Edwards Air Force Base.
Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Northrop Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS,
is competing to build the JSF for the United States and United
Kingdom. Government selection of a single contractor for the
Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase is set for fall 2001.
CONTACT: John Kent
http://www.lmtas.com/news/press/jsf/jsfpr010312.html
(817) 763-3980
(817) 454-0279