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 Flight testing of the X-35 JSF demonstrator aircraft concluded on 6 August 2001, with all requirements and objectives achieved or exceeded. The X-35A, X-35B, and X-35C established an unprecedented string of flight test records, maintaining an extraordinarily high level of reliability throughout the testing period.  The X-35A (conventional takeoff and landing) completed the most flights (twenty-seven), accumulated the most flight hours (27.4), was flown by the most pilots (six), had the fewest canceled flights (two), and achieved the highest flight rate (6.3 flights/week) in the first thirty days of new-aircraft testing. The X-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing) was the first aircraft in history to achieve a short takeoff, level supersonic dash, and vertical landing in a single flight. It was also the first aircraft to integrate and fly a shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system.  The X-35C (carrier variant) demonstrated a high level of carrier suitability with 252 field carrier landing practice tests, extremely precise handling qualities, and prodigious power availability. The X-35C was also the first X-plane in history to complete a coast-to-coast flight (from Edwards AFB, California, to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland). Combined, the X-35A/B/C completed 139 flights and accumulated 106.9 hours of flight time. (See related article in this issue.) |
