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Lockheed Martin Powers up F-35 STOVL Engine in Preparation for First Flight

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The British pilot
who will be the first person to fly the short takeoff/vertical landing
(STOVL) Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35B Lightning II started and ran the
aircraft's engine for the first time on April 18, initiating the final
series of ground tests before the jet's first flight.

Test pilot Graham Tomlinson of BAE Systems throttled up to full
military power (non-afterburner) in two consecutive tests. The Pratt &
Whitney F135 engine, which produces about 28,000 pounds of thrust in
military power and 40,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner, was evaluated
for nearly an hour of run time at a variety of power settings. The engine
runs were part of the F-35B's first comprehensive systems checkout on the
aircraft's own power. The engine runs were preceded by successful tests of
the Integrated Power Package, which combines the functions of a starter,
generator, environmental (air conditioning) system and emergency power
system.

"The F-35B continues to hit one milestone after the other, and the team
is doing a great job of keeping us on track for the airplane's first flight
in the late May/June time frame," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin
executive vice president and F-35 program general manager.

The April 18 tests also included the opening and closing of all doors
associated with the STOVL propulsion system. During STOVL flight, doors
open above and below the shaft-driven lift fan (located immediately behind
the cockpit) and at the rear of the aircraft beneath the engine nozzle. A
pair of auxiliary engine inlet doors opens behind the lift fan to feed more
air to the engine. The F-35B's initial series of flights will be
conventional. In early 2009, the aircraft will begin engaging its STOVL
propulsion system for short takeoffs, vertical landings and hovers.

The F-35B will be the world's first STOVL aircraft that is both
stealthy and supersonic. It will be fielded by the United States Marine
Corps, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Italian
Navy.

The first F-35A test aircraft, a conventional takeoff and landing
variant, has completed 40 flights and has exceeded performance and
reliability expectations.

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter.
Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and
using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will replace at least
13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the Lightning II the
most economical fighter program in history.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial
partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable
F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE
Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007
sales of $41.9 billion.

F-35 and Lightning II are trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

For additional information, visit our Web site:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com

F-35 photographs and information also available at:
http://www.teamjsf.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

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I've been biting my tongue the whole time. Watching it come to life is beyond words...

Bravo and God speed... Cheers to all those who have contributed and continue to contribute in this enduring program. Regardless of my personal views.

Senior member Joined: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 368

Any good pics?

asiatrails wrote:

The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, which produces about 28,000 pounds of thrust in military power and 40,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner

What an animal ... I can't wait until these jets are a regular sighting in the sky!

SnakeHandler wrote:

Any good pics?

Its in the paint shop now, I suspect there will be some public photos soon thereafter.

SnakeHandler wrote:

Any good pics?

Here's one picture.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a6af179eb-3564-4d49-b7b6-90f2a201d57a

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 1089 Status: Offline

LMAggie wrote:

I've been biting my tongue the whole time. Watching it come to life is beyond words...

That's gotta be rough. Smile

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

From LM:

Enthusiast Joined: Dec 13, 2006 Posts: 52 Status: Offline

Great to hear! (with ear plugs! )

So first flight..is that going to be some sort of hover thing or an runway takeoff? OR combination of both???

I'm ready too see it!

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

Should be CTOL for awhile if not the rest of the year...

Wonder if they'll risk bringing her or the A bird to Farnborough...

*I wished*

I know it wont happen but I can wish lol.

Andy

Love to see that LOAN style nozzles Smile

Who says it won't have all aspect LO.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

Low-Observable Asymmetric Nozzle...I wouldn't call that a style...I'd call it a LOAN nozzle.

Picky Picky.. Rolling Eyes

The LOAN was a whole program, not just a specific nozzle. The nozzle shown on the B model is much more detailed than the LOAN nozzle shown earlier in the program.

The nozzle on the F-35B differs greatly in length, materials, and shaping from the original 1996 LOAN program nozzle.

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