JOINT EFFORT; LOCKHEED MARTIN FIGHTER PROTOTYPES TAKE FORM.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

Lockheed Martin's two prototypes in the joint strike fighter competition are taking shape, with major structure of the first aircraft complete and work progressing on the forward fuselage of the second airplane.

The first prototype moved from assembly tooling to the factory floor, a step the company considers a major milestone. The move marks the completion of the major assembly of the structure, aircraft systems and avionics installations.

The final assembly will now proceed, including the installation of control surfaces - ailerons and rudders - and landing gear.

``This is an exciting time in the program,'' said Gary Ervin, X-35 program manager for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.

The Pentagon and the British Royal Navy are planning to buy more than 3,000 joint strike fighters. Lockheed Martin is competing with Boeing for the production rights for the aircraft - a program that could be ultimately worth $750 billion.

The companies are building two airplanes each at their plants in Palmdale. The prototypes will fly in 2000. The Pentagon is expected to choose a winner in 2001.

``I think we're riding the right horse,'' Ervin said. ``If we do what we say we'll do, we are going to do well in this competition.''

Lockheed Martin's first prototype, designated the X-35A, will be used to demonstrate engine compatibility and flying qualities for the conventional takeoff and landing version of the aircraft for the Air Force.

The aircraft will then be converted into a new configuration, X-35B, with a shaft-driven lift fan for a short takeoff and vertical landing configuration that will be used by the Marine Corps.

The Lockheed Martin program is borrowing technology for the Marine Corps configuration that was used on an early 1990s project for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the same agency that started the F-117A stealth fighter program.

That project, which involved the construction of an 85 percent scale aircraft, included the shaft-driven lift fan technology.

The engine powers a shaft that turns a two-phase lift fan mounted behind the cockpit. The lift fan is expected to allow the aircraft to takeoff in short distances or takeoff and land vertically, like the Harrier jets.

The second prototype, the X-35C, will test flying qualities needed for the Navy. It will be heavier, to handle aircraft carrier landings, and will have a larger wing area, to allow for better control at low speeds.

System testing has been accomplished on the X-35A, including testing of the main electrical distribution system, cockpit avionics displays and computers that provide flight control capability and other flight-critical software.

Engine installation and engine ground tests will be done early next year.

If Lockheed Martin wins the competition, the company plans to build the aircraft at its plant in Fort Worth, Texas. Antelope Valley officials are trying to convince both Lockheed Martin and Boeing to consider building the aircraft in Palmdale.

Regardless of where the aircraft are built, it is likely that the Skunk Works will be involved in producing parts for the program if Lockheed Martin wins the contract, Ervin said.

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Photo: (color) Workers inspect the nose, intakes and part of the fuselage of a joint strike fighter prototype in Palmdale.