F-35 JSF Lightning II
Watch the X-35B (experimental Marine version of the F-35) as it became the world's first plane to have a short take-off, fly super sonic, and then vertically land - all in one flight!
wmv, 7.7 MB
Associated Press | December 15, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas - The new stealth fighter jet that will replace an aging fleet of military planes took off for the first time Friday but landed about 30 minutes into a planned hourlong flight. Lockheed Martin Corp. officials did not immediately comment on why the Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35, landed early. The company planned an afternoon news conference to discuss the flight. The jet was escorted by three jets that provided safety and took pictures.
Earlier this week, Britain signed an agreement committing to the next development and production phase of the new Joint Strike Fighter, resolving a dispute between the Pentagon and its biggest overseas partner over sharing technology for the advanced fighter jet.
Along with Britain, the Netherlands and Canada have signed agreements, and Australian officials were in Washington on Tuesday to sign their own deal.
Turkey, Italy, Norway and Denmark have until the end of the year to sign.
Runway tests for the F-35 that began last week were completed earlier this week. Officials had been waiting for good weather for the maiden flight, which almost did not happen Friday because of fog and windy conditions.
The takeoff was witnessed by hundreds at the Lockheed Martin facility where the planes are being built in what could be the largest defense contract ever, $275 billion (?210 billion) over the next two decades. The Pentagon plans to make roughly 2,400 planes.
The U.S. military will use the F-35 to replace aging planes used by the Marines, Air Force and Navy, including jets like the F-16, the F-18, and the Harrier jet.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed and its subcontractors are making three different versions that will be used by the different branches. The Marine version will be able to make vertical takeoffs.
Witnessed this flight live today during the employee "all hands meet" at the Pratt hanger East Hartford, CT.
ReplyDeleteWhat we witnessed today is an aircraft power plant that is known via DOD as the Conventional Take-Off & Landing (CTOL) Version. Full use of a land located flight deck. Many hours were spent managing the assembly operation and the evolving "work in process" system this CTOL version experienced. I mention manage and evolving with skepticism only because of the ever increasing reliability for a corporation and management to depend heavily on a product produced and engineered by temporary,contract employees who can only gain personal satisfaction rather than a sense of corporate reward or belonging to this program. Some of this work is actually archived as far as India and Pueto Rico which now puts a new meaning on a product that you thought was made by true employee commitment across all partnerships. Thus the company Moto "The eagle is everywhere" but Pratt engines can use focus on quality control beyond it's low cost borders which creates wildfires a well seasoned auditor has to try to control.
Evolving engineering data requirements are still changing as standard work issues are still not carved in stone. Quality issues along the way ? Lets just say they were lost in the translation of the new global,economic, communication arena supporting a developing engine patterned for similar production techniques.
Witnessed this flight live today during the employee "all hands meet" at the Pratt hanger East Hartford, CT.
ReplyDeleteWhat we witnessed today is an aircraft power plant that is known via DOD as the Conventional Take-Off & Landing (CTOL) Version. Full use of a land located flight deck. Many hours were spent managing the assembly operation and the evolving "work in process" system this CTOL version experienced. I mention manage and evolving with skepticism only because of the ever increasing reliability for a corporation and management to depend heavily on a product produced and engineered by temporary,contract employees who can only gain personal satisfaction rather than a sense of corporate reward or belonging to this program. Some of this work is actually archived as far as India and Pueto Rico which now puts a new meaning on a product that you thought was made by true employee commitment across all partnerships. Thus the company Moto "The eagle is everywhere" but Pratt engines can use focus on quality control beyond it's low cost borders which creates wildfires a well seasoned auditor has to try to control.
Evolving engineering data requirements are still changing as standard work issues are still not carved in stone. Quality issues along the way ? Lets just say they were lost in the translation of the new global,economic, communication arena supporting a developing engine patterned for similar production techniques.