Media Galleries : F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 helmet displays airspeed, altitude, rate of climb, and the aiming information for all the weapons. The helmet even displays all the information needed should something go wrong.

Hover pit testing for the F-35B quantifies propulsion and flight control system performance. One of the major outcomes of pit testing is an accurate measurement of the thrust from the propulsion system and the engine.

Standing behind the F-35 test aircraft, 5,000-plus sorties, and 10,000 flight test hours associated with the SDD phase of the Joint Strike Fighter is a large group of dedicated professionals from the Flight Test department. Code One interviewed several of these professionals to get their perspectives on F-35 flight testing.

A side-by-side comparison of the X-35 Joint Strike Fighter prototype with the F-35 Lightning II production aircraft underscores the huge strides the JSF program has made transitioning from demonstration to development.

The F-35B Lightning II rolled off the production line 18 December 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas, to the fanfare of customers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy.

In full-power afterburner, the F135-PW-100 emits a blue flame and generates up to 40,000 pounds of thrust.

Gallery contains photos of early F-35 flight testing (AA-1).

The first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter met the world to fanfare worthy of a rock star as more than 1,300 employees, dignitaries, partners, and guests witnessed the unveiling at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, on 7 July 2006.