Solar Energy News  
Wind Tunnel Tests Contribute To First Flight Of F-35

Tim Wright examines the short takeoff/vertical landing F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter model in the 16 -foot transonic wind tunnel at the Arnold Engineering Development Center at Arnold Air Force base, Tenn . The information from this testing will go into a large database to refine and validate the aircraft designs for flight testing and ultimately, production. Mr. Wright is an aerospace testing alliance craftsman at the center. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force.
by Philip Lorenz III
Arnold Engineering Development Center Public Affairs
Arnold AFB (AFPN) Jun 19, 2008
The June 11 completion of the first flight of the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter resonated with Air Force engineers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here.

"A number of us at AEDC can take pride in the part we played in supporting this program with aerodynamic testing of the airframe and dedicated performance testing of the engine in our development test cells," said Marc Skelley, the senior F-35 project manager assigned to the 716th Test Squadron here.

"We've tested all three versions in the wind tunnels. There's not a lot of difference aerodynamically between the carrier takeoff and landing and short takeoff/vertical landing versions. The carrier version has much larger wings for creating more lift necessary to land on a carrier deck."

More than 10,000 hours of testing have been logged on the F-35 aircraft and engines in the wind tunnels and jet engine test cells at AEDC.

"Over 2,000 engine test hours for the carrier takeoff and landing and short takeoff/vertical landing versions of the F135 engines have been logged in propulsion test cells in preparation for this event," said Marcos O. More, the senior Aerospace Testing Alliance F135 project manager at AEDC. "We take great pride in the contributions we have made in order to reach this very important milestone."

The F-35B will provide a combination of capabilities never before available: stealth, supersonic speed and short takeoff/vertical landing flexibility. Initial flights of the first F-35B will be conventional takeoff and landing, with transitions to short takeoff/vertical landing flight beginning in early 2009.

F-35 Lightning IIs will replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F/A-18 Hornets and Harriers. The STOVL version of the F-35 will be used by the U.S. Marines and the British Royal Navy.

The F-35 program is the world's largest military project, involving 11 countries and employing about 20,000 people worldwide.

Related Links
the missing link The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Lockheed Martin EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar Completes CDR
Syracuse, NY (SPX) Jul 02, 2008
Lockheed Martin recently completed a successful Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 counter-fire target acquisition (EQ-36) radar. The completion of this final design step, on schedule, clears the way for the program to move into an initial production phase for five radar systems.







  • Areva to create world's largest uranium mine in Namibia
  • Russian Nuclear Agency Rejects Rumors Of Radiation Leaks
  • Japan PM says wants 'normal' ties with NKorea
  • IAEA meet to protect nuclear plants from earthquakes

  • US should take on lead role in climate change battle: envoy
  • US envoy says no 'G8 solution' to climate change
  • China biggest CO2 emitter last year: Dutch agency
  • UN climate chief spurs talks on new global warming pact

  • US breadbasket state Iowa faces crop losses from flooding
  • EU to raise ceilings on fishing fuel aid, but no move on tuna ban
  • Panic over delayed rainfall grips northern Nigeria
  • Italian and French fishermen oppose blue fin tuna ban

  • Most of panda habitat damaged or destroyed in China quake
  • Unlocking The Genome Of The Worst Bug On Planet Earth
  • Scientists Confirm That Parts Of Earliest Genetic Material May Have Come From The Stars
  • Taking The Temperature Of The No-Fly Zone

  • NASA, ATK Conduct First Launch Abort System Igniter Test For Orion
  • Orion's New Launch Abort Motor Test Stand Ready For Action
  • Researchers To Upgrade Safety And Performance Of Rocket Fuel
  • NASA chief backs proposal for European spaceship

  • Nuclear Power In Space - Part 2
  • Outside View: Nuclear future in space
  • Nuclear Power In Space

  • NMSU Uses Information Collected In Space To Help Those On The Ground
  • Aster Images Sichuan Earthquake In China
  • Japanese astronaut says Earth is 'beautiful'
  • EarthCARE Earthcare Satellite Contract Signed

  • Integral Systems Integrated Solution To Support JCSAT-12
  • AF Engineers Create Thermal Control System For Space Use
  • Students Prepare For Dust Up In Space
  • Microsoft Surface computers hit Las Vegas party scene

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement