Lockheed Martin's JSF concept demonstrator aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, the X-35A, is nearing completion at the company's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, Calif. [LMTAS photo]

The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing [unknown photographer]

X-35A [LMTAS photo]

The United States Air Force flew its first evaluation of the X-35A Friday as the supersonic stealth aircraft logged its 5th flight on friday [LMTAS photo.]

X-35A, 301 Joint Strike Fighter prototype has a little black skunk on its tail. The blue tail stripe with white X's indicates that it is operated by the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base [LMTAS photo]

The finalized external design of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, top, is shown over the JSF X-35A demonstrator aircraft, which successfully completed its flight-test program in 2001 [LMTAS photo]

Shown is the JSF X-35A demonstrator on a test flight over the California desert in late 2000. [LMTAS photo]

X-35A [LMTAS photo]

Lockheed X-35A, 301 Joint Strike Fighter prototype on approach to land at Palmdale [LMTAS photo]