First Flight For F-35 EOTS

The first test flight of the Electro-Optical Targeting System, or EOTS, for the F-35 Lightning II was completed in early June on a specially configured Sabreliner executive transport. The first flight test met all objectives, including demonstrating the infrared search and track system and the forward-looking infrared search and track capability. This test ushered in the first phase of a three-phase flight test program. EOTS is expected to be joined with the complete F-35 sensor suite and flown aboard the F-35 program's Cooperative Avionics Test Bed aircraft during the second quarter of 2008.