Overview of F-35 test flights

Production milestones, roll-outs, test flights, service introduction and other milestones.
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by f-22lm » 21 Dec 2012, 02:05

Cool image :D

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by spazsinbad » 21 Dec 2012, 02:43

I wonder if the HMDS II had the jitters hovering at night? :D Oh the horror.


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by quicksilver » 21 Dec 2012, 15:22

spazsinbad wrote:So a '90 degree vertical translation' is no big deal and just part of the 200th such maneuver for that aircraft (amongst other things such as a max. weight hover). And thanks 'munny' for finding the vertical takeoff quote. I wonder what weight is a max. weight hover? How long is a piece of string?

BTW similar 'vertical takeoff testing' & 'FnA-18 like performance' quote here:

F-35 Tests Proceed, Revealing F/A-18-Like Performance 16 May 2011 Dave Majumdar

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2011 ... erformance

"...Eventually, the F-35B will perform vertical takeoffs, but that testing has yet to be performed because other STOVL trials are of more immediate import, Kelly said.

"There is a requirement for that and we do plan on performing vertical takeoffs," he said...."


It's a big enough deal that they mentioned it, but they didn't put its significance in context since translations -- purely as an aircraft movement -- have been done many times before. The significance of a successful translation at max hover weight is that the jet is using part of the thrust that it uses for lift to move the jet sideways (through the roll post nozzles). There has to be sufficient thrust margin in the system for the jet to do this without losing altitude. Analytically, and as suggested by previous flight test data, they expected to be able to do this. The tests confirmed it.

Next test point please... 8)


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by spazsinbad » 21 Dec 2012, 18:09

So in context of the three items mentioned together the test is significant: "...completed maximum weight hover, vertical landing and 90 degree translation...". Thanks.


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by quicksilver » 21 Dec 2012, 19:56



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by spazsinbad » 21 Dec 2012, 20:10

Good stuff - thanks 'quicksilver':

"...Prior to these milestones, developmental test with the F-35A was restricted to a flight envelope between -10 and 20 degrees AoA. Now, test maneuvers are being executed up to 50 AoA and intentional departures are being conducted to explore the aircraft behavior even beyond this boundary. Results will be used to clear F-35 operational aircraft to 50 AOA, directly supporting the air superiority needs of the warfighter by allowing them to aggressively maneuver the F-35A.

Throughout the High AoA testing, the F-35A's performance has closely matched piloted simulator results and modeled predictions, giving the team the confidence in the jet to continue moving forward in the test plan.

"We are significantly matching models and it gives us good confidence in the aircraft and how to polish the flight control systems so it's even better than what we started with. Going into this unknown area of High AoA, we really like when things match. It makes you feel very safe, although we will remain cautious all the way though," said David Nelson, F-35 chief test pilot from Lockheed Martin.

"We don't want a first lieutenant going through F-35 school to be the first person to see something. We, as a flight test community, feel this is a protection and a promise we must deliver to the warfighter," he continued.

As a result of the success, the F-35 ITF has also gained momentum in delivering an envelope in 2014 to the program office to the design limit of 50 degrees AoA, along with the ability to pull 7gs throughout the envelope, and also ensuring that the jet can fly out to 700 knots and 1.6 mach....

..."The testing is going very well; I'm extremely pleased with the progress. But, it's important to note that we are finding areas for improvement. We are feeding that information back for follow-on software versions that will make the aircraft safer and effective in maneuvering at high angles of attack. By the time we get done, the aircraft will fly up to 50 degrees angle of attack with care-free handling qualities" said Schwartz."

As always best to read ALL at the jump INCLUDING info about the Test Pilot NELSON.
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CAPTION: "The F-35A, AF-4, can be seen outfitted with a spin recovery chute (SRC) during High Angle of Attack testing accomplished by the F-35 Integrated Test Force team at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (Photo by Darin Russell/Lockheed Martin)"

BIGPIC: http://www.edwards.af.mil/shared/media/ ... 99-010.jpg
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F-35AsrcDawnDusk.jpg


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by f-22lm » 22 Dec 2012, 20:07

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by spazsinbad » 24 Jan 2013, 06:23

Second F-35A Reaches 500 Flight Hour Milestone 23 Jan 2013

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/p ... s-500.html

"EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Jan. 23, 2013 – The second Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, known as AF-1, joined the 500 flight hour club recently during its 272nd flight. It joins AF-2 which passed the milestone June 26, 2012. The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) fighter began flight operations when it made its inaugural flight Nov. 14, 2009. The F-35A flight test program has completed more than 43 percent of its overall test plan. Overall, the program’s three variants have achieved nearly 5,900 flight hours by 55 aircraft in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) programs...."

Big Pic: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/d ... 35_AF1.jpg
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F-35_AF1.jpg


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by lonewolf121188 » 03 Feb 2013, 21:09

Watched an F-35 do three touch and goes here at Sheppard AFB on Friday. There was an F-16 following it all the way around. Pretty cool, first time I've seen one flying. Wasn't close enough to see the markings...think it was straight from the factory in Ft Worth?


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by neptune » 03 Feb 2013, 21:27

lonewolf121188 wrote:Watched an F-35 do three touch and goes here at Sheppard AFB on Friday. There was an F-16 following it all the way around. Pretty cool, first time I've seen one flying. Wasn't close enough to see the markings...think it was straight from the factory in Ft Worth?


I'm jealous, I've traveled to FW and Eglin and weather allowed me to only hear the F-135 in the distance. Soon......I'll see one in the air. :lol:


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by Ztex » 05 Mar 2013, 06:28

09-5005 (AF-18 ) and 09-5006 (AF-19) left Fort Worth for Edwards today...fyi


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by fang » 05 Mar 2013, 09:29

Ztex wrote:09-5005 (AF-18 ) and 09-5006 (AF-19) left Fort Worth for Edwards today...fyi

TNX for the info.
Any idea what about AF-17 & AF-20 to Edwards?
And what about AF-21/22/23/24 to Nellis?


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by neptune » 05 Mar 2013, 18:17

[quote="fang"][...Any idea what about AF-17 & AF-20 to Edwards?...

AF-17 to Eglin 10-Jul-12.

OT tailcode ?

:)

So....did it go to 359th TS or ....?


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by joost » 05 Mar 2013, 21:02

neptune wrote:
fang wrote:[...Any idea what about AF-17 & AF-20 to Edwards?...

AF-17 to Eglin 10-Jul-12.

OT tailcode ?

:)

So....did it go to 359th TS or ....?


AFAIK AF-17 is still at Fort Worth and was certainly not delivered to Eglin, this was an unconfirmed message which turned out to be wrong. AF-17 has OT tail code and 31 TES on tail. So probably that one will go to Edwards together with AF-20 later this week or next week.


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by neptune » 05 Mar 2013, 22:11

joost wrote:[..AFAIK AF-17 is still at Fort Worth and was certainly not delivered to Eglin, this was an unconfirmed message which turned out to be wrong. AF-17 has OT tail code and 31 TES on tail. So probably that one will go to Edwards together with AF-20 later this week or next week.


Thanks, OT tailcode to Eglin wasn't jivin".

Updated the 31TES, and the 422TES

I guess;

AF-17,18,19 and 20 are going to Edwards with the 31TES
and
AF-21,22,23 and 24 are going to Nellis with the 422 TES.

:wink: :)


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