A US Air Force test pilot has become the first military service pilot to fly the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Lt Col James "Flipper" Kromberg flew the first F-35, aircraft AA-1, on its 26th test flight on 30 January.
Kromberg assessed the fighter's handling at 15º angle of attack, up-and-away flight control response at altitudes up to 12,000ft (3,700m), engine throttle transients and formation manouevres with a Lockheed Martin F-16.
Aircraft AA-1 completed its 27th test flight later the same day with Lockheed Martin test pilot Jeff Knowles at the controls.
© Lockheed Martin
AA-1 first flew in December 2006 and returned to flight in December 2007 after a prolonged grounding for modifications and upgrades following an electrical system anomaly that cut short its 19th test flight in May 2007.
Only the third pilot to fly the F-35, Kromberg is assigned to the USAF's 461st Flight Test Squadron, which will be involved in JSF development testing at Edwards AFB in
© Lockheed Martin
A former US Marine Corps pilot, Kromberg has experience of flying the Boeing AV-8B Harrier, and well as the F-16 - both aircraft that will be replaced by the F-35. After the flight he praised the F-35's responsiveness, particularly engine thrust response and acceleration.
Lockheed says AA-1 will soon begin aerial refuelling flight tests from its Fort Worth, Texas plant. The first short take-off and vertical landing F-35B, aircraft BF-1, is expected to fly around the middle of the year.
© Lockheed Martin
The company has informed employees at the
Source: FlightGlobal.com