Martin-Baker has completed the first production configuration US16E ejection seat for its Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for the partner nations.
"The US16E is the only ejection seat in the world that has demonstrated compliance to the entire range of accommodation, physiological and ejection performance requirements for the JSF programme," said Martin-Baker.
The Royal Air Force is the first JSF partner nation scheduled to receive a production configuration F-35 Lightning II; the first UK aircraft is known as BK-1.
"Next year RAF and RN pilots will begin flying our first two JSF aircraft at Eglin AFB in the USA in a pooled arrangement with the USMC, as part of the preparations to build a UK test and evaluation squadron, which will allow UK participation in JSF Operational Test at Edwards," said Wg Cdr Peter Hackett RAF.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force is the second JSF partner nation scheduled to receive the production configuration F-35 Lightning II; the first RNLAF aircraft is known as AN-1 and will also be operated at Eglin AFB.
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Source: Flight Daily News
