FIGHTER PROGRAM ON TRACK FOR NEXT PHASE IN FLIGHT TESTS.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer PALMDALE - The joint strike fighter program The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) became synonymous with the later F-35 Lightning II, however until 2001 the term was applied to the competition between the Boeing X-32 and Lockheed Martin X-35. is approaching milestones with Boeing's X-32A nearing completion of its flight tests and Lockheed Martin's X-35C preparing to head east for testing by the Navy. Boeing's X-32A is completing testing of technologies sought by the Air Force and the Navy. The aircraft logged more than 60 missions during its time at Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. , including conducting a series of simulated aircraft carrier approaches and landings on a marked-off section of runway. ``We are, this week, completing the flight testing of the X-32A,'' said Boeing spokesman Chick Ramey. ``We have three or four more flights and then we are done.'' Boeing's X-32B aircraft is expected to begin its flight tests this spring at Edwards. The aircraft, which will demonstrate short takeoff and landing Short takeoff and landing (STOL) The term applied to heavier-than-air craft that cannot take off and land vertically, but can operate within areas substantially more confined than those normally required by aircraft of the same size. qualities sought by the Marine Corps, will make a few flights at Edwards before heading off to the Navy's flight test center at Patuxent River The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland. There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington D.C. in Maryland. Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. is preparing its X-35C aircraft to leave Edwards early next week for Patuxent River. The Navy will conduct testing to get a better picture of the airplane's suitability for aircraft carriers. ``We are planning to go next week,'' said Lockheed Martin spokesman John Kent. Exactly when the aircraft will leave will depend on the weather, Kent said. Lockheed Martin's X-35C flew 20 mission at Edwards, conducting simulated aircraft carrier approaches and landings, expanding its basic flight envelope In aerodynamics, the flight envelope or performance envelope of an aircraft refers to the capabilities of a design in terms of speed and altitude. The term is somewhat loosely applied, and can also refer to other measurements such as maneuverability. , and making initial tanker qualification tests. Last fall, Lockheed Martin completed flight testing of Air Force flying qualities using its X-35A aircraft. That aircraft was converted into the X-35B model. The major change to the aircraft was the installation of a shaft-driven lift fan that will allow the aircraft to land vertically like a Harrier jet. The joint strike fighter A strike fighter is a fighter aircraft which is also capable of attacking surface targets, including ships. It differs from an attack aircraft in that the aircraft remains a capable fighter. is being developed to replace the Air Force's F-16s and A-10s and the Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier, and to augment the Navy's F-18 fighters. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color in AV edition only) Lockheed Martin's X-35C, the joint strike fighter prototype prepared for the Navy, taxis down the runway at Plant 42. (2 -- color in AV edition only) Boeing's joint strike fighter design, the X-32A, is being modified for the Marines. |
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