First F-35 Completed

Assembly of the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was completed on schedule on 19 February, and the aircraft was towed to the flightline at the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft now undergoes a fuel system checkout, structural coupling and ground vibration testing, engine runs, and taxi tests. First flight is expected later this year. Other recent F-35 milestones were pilot manipulation of the controls and movement of the control surfaces on 13 January; installation of the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine on 13 February; and completion of the critical design review for the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing and F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variants on 17 February.