F-35 Lighting II successfully completed its first ever mid-air refueling in a flight over North Texas on Wednesday 12th, 2008. A specially instrumented KC-135 tanker from Edwards AFB, is deployed to Fort Worth to support the refueling missions. [Photo by Lockheed Martin]
See also: First F-35 air-to-air refueling test complete

The F-35B Lightning II tethered to a specially instrumented hover pit with its powerful engine running, tests its propulsion system in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode on May 25th, 2008 at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. [Lockheed Martin photo]
See also: F-35B completes STOVL propulsion ground test

The first Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing stealth fighter takes off from Lockheed Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, on its inaugural flight Wednesday, June 11. [Lockheed Martin photo]
See also: F-35B STOVL achieves successful first flight

F-35B on approach into NAS Fort Worth after a successful first flight on June 11th, 2008. [Photo by Keith Robinson]
See also: F-35B STOVL achieves successful first flight

F-35B on approach into NAS Fort Worth after a successful first flight on June 11th, 2008. [Photo by Keith Robinson]
See also: F-35B STOVL achieves successful first flight

SrA Rafael Cratch, right, 46th Maintenance Group munitions load crew specialist, rigs a GBU-12 munition in preparation for a weapon lanyard risk reduction and development test for the F-35 System Development and Demonstration Program. [USAF photo]
See also: STEM facility conducts F-35 lanyard risk reduction test