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Mission systems aperture testing of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter began in October 2004 at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Newport, New York, test facility. A full-scale model is being used to measure installed antenna pattern, gain, and phase measurements for the F-35's communication, navigation and identification system. Early test results show the pre-production apertures meet or exceed pattern and gain requirements. Additional tests are evaluating the performance of the CNI system's satellite communications, global positioning system, and UHF/VHF communications apertures. Electronic warfare aperture testing will begin later this year. The 8,500-pound model has interchangeable wing and tail components to enable it to simulate all three F-35 variants.
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