SUCCESSFUL FIRST FLIGHT FOR F-35 LIGHTNING II
18 Dec 2006
Fort Worth, Texas. - Employees at BAE Systems’ Samlesbury, Warton, Woodford and Brough sites are celebrating their part in an historic occasion – successful completion of the first flight of the F-35 Lightning II, parts of which are designed and manufactured by BAE Systems.
The first F-35 Lightning II aircraft - a Conventional Take Off and Landing variant – took to the skies above programme partner Lockheed Martin’s site in Fort Worth, Texas at 1845hrs UK time on Friday 15 december. The aircraft was in the air for around an hour, during which time it performed a variety of manoeuvres to test aircraft handling and the operation of the engine and subsystems, before landing back at its Fort Worth base.
The flight marked the culmination of hard work and dedication from teams on both sides of the Atlantic and the start of the most comprehensive flight test programme in military aviation history.
BAE Systems managing director – F-35 Lightning II, Tom Fillingham, commented: “This is an historic day for the F-35 team. As a key partner on the F-35 programme, BAE Systems has delivered key capabilities to the programme and worked with our partners Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to achieve an extremely challenging first flight schedule.
He added: “The BAE Systems teams both here in the UK and in the US have made a significant contribution in getting the first F-35 to successful first flight. It’s a proud day for everyone involved in the programme.”
BAE Systems is responsible for the design, manufacture and assembly of the aft fuselage and empennage (vertical and horizontal tails) as well as the delivery of key vehicle systems including the fuel system and the crew escape and life support system. The Company is a key partner in the Global Sustainment phase of the programme and will lead F-35 support activity in the UK, on behalf of the F-35 Industry Team.
Following first flight, Chief Test Pilot Jon Beesley commented: “F-35 Lightning II performed beautifully. It was a great start for the flight test programme, and a testimony to all of the people who have worked so hard to make this happen.”
The F-35 Lightning II is a supersonic, stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom’s Harrier GR7s and Sea Harriers. The F-35 will be the most powerful single-engine fighter ever produced.
Three versions of the F-35 JSF are in development: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), a short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV). Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 Lightning II meets the performance needs of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defence forces worldwide.
Brough
The F-35 team at Brough is responsible for the design of the horizontal tails for all three variants of the aircraft. In addition, the team at Brough deliver key capabilities to the programme including Thermo Acoustic Testing for the STOVL variant and static and durability testing.
Samlesbury
The F-35 Team at Samlesbury is responsible for the design of the aft fuselage for all three variants of the aircraft as well as the manufacture and assembly of the aft fuselage and vertical and horizontal tails. The Samlesbury team also delivers key manufacturing capabilities to the programme including machining, carbon fibre composites and super plastic forming and diffusion bonding.
Warton
The F-35 team at Warton is responsible for the delivery of the fuel system, crew escape and life support system and key elements of the prognostics health monitoring system. In addition, teams at Warton have also delivered key capabilities to the programme, including Hot Gas Ingestion testing for the STOVL variant.
Woodford
The F-35 team at Woodford are responsible for the design of the vertical tails for all three variants of the aircraft.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded 12 billion pounds (US22 billion dollars) in 2005, excluding the Group's former interest in Airbus.
For further information please contact:
Helen Jocelyn, BAE Systems
Tel: +44- (0)1772-85 6311
Mob: +44-(0)7793 420 714
helen.jocelyn@baesystems.com
Andy Bunce, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 85 2714
Mob: +44 (0) 7801 716 448
andy.bunce@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems,
Farnborough,Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719
Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
