FORT WORTH, Texas, July 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft fleet
recently exceeded 100,000 flight hours while the F-35 Integrated
Test Force teams are completing the remaining requirements in the
program's System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase.
"This 100K milestone marks a significant level of maturity for
the program and the F-35 weapons system," said Lockheed Martin
Executive Vice President and F-35 Program General Manager
Jeff Babione. "We are well
positioned to complete air vehicle full 3F and mission systems
software development by the end of 2017."
The remaining development flight testing includes validating the
final release of 3F software, F-35B ski jump testing, F-35B austere
site operations, high-Mach Loads testing for both the F-35B and
F-35C and completion of the remaining weapons delivery accuracy
tests.
Major SDD fleet test milestones in recent months include:
- Completed testing for the F-35A's final envelope involving high
risk 'edge of the envelope' maneuvers, stressing the aircraft to
its limits in structural strength, vehicle systems performance, and
aerodynamics while proving excellent handling qualities.
- Completed all U.K. Weapon Delivery Accuracy tests for the
AIM-132 ASRAAM and Paveway IV weapons, and completed 45 of
50 SDD Weapon Delivery Accuracy tests
including multiple target and multiple shot engagements as well as
internal gun and centerline external pod 25mm gun accuracy
tests.
- Performed multi-ship mission effectiveness tests, such as
Offensive Counter-Air and Maritime Interdiction, demonstrating the
performance of the F-35 System.
Three distinct variants of the F-35 Lightning II will replace
the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II for the U.S.
Air Force, the F/A-18 Hornet for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and
AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters
for 11 other countries, to date. Following the U.S. Marine Corps'
July 2015 combat-ready Initial
Operational Capability (IOC) declaration, the U.S. Air Force
attained service IOC in Aug. 2016 and
the U.S. Navy will IOC in 2019.
For additional information about the F-35 program, visit our
website: www.f35.com.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company