What’s the deal with the Arctic F-35 at Lockheed?

[hawgwash]

Just moved it earlier this month.

[Dragon029]

Note the lack of visible rudders, lack of visible access panels (at least in the bright areas where we could see them). It looks a bit like there may be a seam for the radome to come off, but the seam appears to angle forward (as if a hypothetical AESA was tilted downward instead of upward). There's no visible EOTS either, though that could have been taken off for various reasons. The nozzle also doesn't appear serrated.

All-in-all, I'm inclined to think that this is a mock-up vs RCS or aerodynamic test article, though I'm not sure why I haven't seen more of it if that were the case. As a side note; is that a TV-grade video camera on that cherry picker (with a person in a safety jacket and blue helmet) behind the jet?

[go4long]

As a side note; is that a TV-grade video camera on that cherry picker (with a person in a safety jacket and blue helmet) behind the jet?

Yes, they're out there filming quite a bit. Often when test flights take off you'll see them cruise around to the runway side to film the take offs, breaks and landings. They have a very good PR department, and post some truly awesome videos and photos from time to time.

[Dragon029]

We finally have an answer from Lockheed as to the jet's origin, courtesy of David Cenciotti:

https://theaviationist.com/2019/01/21/t ... ort-worth/

[ricnunes]

Thanks Dragon029