ALMOST READY TO FLY BOEING PROTOTYPE MOVES CLOSER TO FIRST FLIGHT.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Boeing's Joint Strike Fighter prototype is nearing its first flight after completing low- and medium-speed taxi tests, the company announced Wednesday.

The delta-winged jet, one of two JSF prototypes the company is assembling in Palmdale, completed taxi tests of about 35 mph and 65 mph Tuesday on the ground at Air Force Plant 42. During the tests, Boeing technicians verified the plane's steering, braking, engine controls and flight control surfaces were working as expected.

``Acceleration, steering and braking were all smooth as the aircraft went through its paces,'' said Ad Thompson, Boeing's JSF flight test manager. ``While these taxi tests are clearly important milestones toward first flight, our focus is not on any single flight, but on successfully completing the entire flight-test program. We will fly when we're ready to move forward to execute the full flight-test program.''

The aircraft and all its systems must be certified flight-ready prior to the high-speed taxi test. Data from the test will be used by the government to verify that the aircraft is ready to proceed to high-speed tests, Boeing officials said.

Boeing is vying with Lockheed Martin for the production contract to build the fighters, which will be used by the Air Force, Navy, Marines and by the British Royal Navy.

More than 3,000 fighters are planned to be built under the program with a potential for sales of hundreds of aircraft to U.S. allies.

The Pentagon is scheduled to select a winning contractor in 2001.

Both companies are building their prototypes in Palmdale. The aircraft will be flight tested at Edwards Air Force Base.

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Photo: (color) Boeing's Joint Strike Fighter prototype was photographed on the tarmac at Air Force Plant 42 during tests Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Boeing