Lockheed Martin has installed the Rolls-Royce shaft-driven lift fan assembly into the X-35B short take-off vertical landing version of its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) demonstrator aircraft. The aircraft, which is being modified from the X-35A, flew 27 sorties late last year before being grounded for conversion. The Pratt & Whitney JSF119-911 engine will follow shortly in readiness for the start of hover pit testing next month. The US Navy in the meantime has started test flying the X-35C aircraft carrier demonstrator. The second JSF demonstrator has so far logged five hours in the air.
Source: Flight International
