F-35C DT-II On The USS Eisenhower
29 January 2016
The F-35C Carrier Suitability Test Team deployed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) for Developmental Test Phase Two (DT-II) in October 2015. Trials with F-35C test aircraft CF-03 and CF-05 spanned nine days in operating areas near the Atlantic coast between Florida and Virginia. DT-II followed a successful round of initial sea trials in 2014.
Japan F-2 Support Fighter
12 November 2015
Based on the F-16, the F-2 was designed to meet the unique requirements of the JASDF. Although capable of both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, the F-2 emphasizes the air-to-surface role because its primary mission is the protection of Japan’s sea lanes.
UK F-35B Joint Operational Test Team
27 October 2015
The Royal Air Force's No 17(Reserve) Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards AFB, California is focused on mission capabilities and tactics for the F-35 Lightning II.
Semper Lightning 01: F-35 Flight Control System, Part One
1 October 2015
My hope is that these articles, by giving some insight into how the F-35 works and why it was designed that way, will help pilots fly the airplane better, employ it more effectively, and handle emergencies more intuitively. The articles may also help dispel some myths. As Joe Bill put it, “as airplanes become more complex and more capable, the amount of misinformation seems to grow.” With your help, we can keep the mythology in check.
F-35ABC Differences
15 September 2015
A thorough, albeit not exhaustive, list of identification tricks and tips may help sharpen everyone’s F-35 spotting skills. So next time you see a photo of an F-35, you can impress your friends by correctly naming the variant.
F-22 Raptors At Elmendorf
3 September 2015
The 90th FS (nicknamed Pair-O-Dice) was the first F-22 squadron in Alaska, receiving its advanced aircraft in 2007. The 525th FS (nicknamed Bulldogs) received their Raptors later the same year. In addition, the Air Force Reserve Command’s 302nd FS (the Hellions) is an Associate unit that provides pilots and maintainers who fly and fix the aircraft alongside their active duty counterparts.
F-35 Operations At Luke AFB
4 August 2015
The 56th FW at Luke AFB, Arizona, has been designated as the primary F-35A training base for the US Air Force as well as for eight international partner air forces and several other countries purchasing F-35s under Foreign Military Sales, or FMS, programs.
Fighter Generations
4 June 2015
The fifth generation of fighters, the Lockheed Martin F-22 and F-35, fundamentally changes the concept of operations for combat. A review of the first four generations of fighter aircraft around the world shows why.
F-35 Aerial Refuel Testing
9 April 2015
F-35B test aircraft BF-17 was flown over Edwards AFB, California, during several aerial refueling missions behind KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender tankers. The tests involved a drogue adapter attached to the centerline refueling boom on the KC-135 and the hose-and-drogue refueling system on the KC-10.
F-35 Climatic Testing
1 April 2015
Every major US weapon system and its associated equipment make the trek to Eglin to undergo environmental testing at the lab. The F-35 is the latest to be frozen, baked, deluged, snowed, blown, fogged, and humidified.
