The first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II moved under its own power for the first time during the afternoon of Thursday 7 December initiating the last series of tests before the fighter jet's maiden flight, expected next week.
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| Above: F-35 chief pilot Jon Beesley advances the throttle and taxis down the runway |
The Joint Strike Fighter taxied along the runway at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, carrying out a test that initiated the last round of evaluations before the maiden flight. It also marked the first time the aircraft moved under its own power using its Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan.
After a series of systems checks F-35 chief pilot Jon Beesley advanced the throttle and the aircraft moved out of its hangar. The jet then traveled at up to 30kt (55.5 km/h) testing systems such as brakes and nosewheel steering in advance of first flight. Medium-speed taxi tests of 65kt and 80kt are planned for next week, weather permitting.
Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 Lightning II with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development, the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
