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F-35 Lightning II News
UK's first F-35 makes inaugural flight
April 16, 2012 (by
Laurie Quincy) -
BK-01, the United Kingdom's first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II production aircraft, flew its inaugural flight April 13, 2012.
Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti took the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jet through a series of functional flight checks during a sortie that lasted 45 minutes. The jet will complete a series of company and government checkout flights prior to its acceptance by the U.K. Ministry of Defence.
The U.K. MOD will use this 5th Generation fighter for training and operational tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., beginning later this year.
"Not only is this a watershed moment for the Joint Strike Fighter program, since BK-01 is the first international F-35 to fly, but it also brings us one step closer to delivery of this essential 5th Generation capability for the U.K., " said Group Captain Harv Smyth, the Joint Strike Fighter U.K. National Deputy.
The UK's first F-35B BK-01 seen air-to-air during its first flight on April 13th, 2012. [Lockheed Martin photo by David Drais]
The U.K. MOD will use this 5th Generation fighter for training and operational tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., beginning later this year.
"Not only is this a watershed moment for the Joint Strike Fighter program, since BK-01 is the first international F-35 to fly, but it also brings us one step closer to delivery of this essential 5th Generation capability for the U.K., " said Group Captain Harv Smyth, the Joint Strike Fighter U.K. National Deputy.
Courtesy of Lockheed Martin
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Additional images:
First flight of F-35B BK-01 seen air-to-air with Bill 'Giggs' Gigliotti at the controls on April 13th, 2012. [Lockheed Martin photo by David Drais]
The UK's first F-35B BK-01 lands after its first flight on April 13th, 2012. [Lockheed Martin photo by Tom Harvey]
Bill 'Giggs' Gigliotti pilot for first flight of F-35B, BK-01, poses with a UK flag in front of the jet on April 13th, 2012. [Lockheed Martin photo by Tom Harvey]