Lockheed Martin X-35A JSF Demonstrator Aircraft Nears Completion
PR NEWSWIRE - March 31, 2000 12:34
FORT WORTH, Texas, Mar 31, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) team has completed airframe assembly of the X-35A concept demonstrator aircraft at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company facility (the Skunk Works) in Palmdale, Calif.
"We are very pleased with our progress in assembling the X-35A demonstrator aircraft," said Frank J. Cappuccio, vice president and program manager for the Lockheed Martin JSF. "All of our system checkout tests have progressed well, with good performance across all of the systems. The same can be said for proof loads testing. We anticipate that the flight test program will meet all expectations."
The X-35A will represent the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant for the U.S. Air Force. Later this year, this aircraft will be converted to the X-35B short takeoff and landing (STOVL) variant for the U.S. Marine Corps and British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
The next steps for the X-35A prior to first flight will be fuel system tests, installation of the flight-qualified CTOL engine, ground vibration and structural coupling tests, auxiliary power unit tests, engine runs, vehicle management system final software checks and taxi tests. Teammate Pratt & Whitney returned the JSF119-611 first flight engine to the Palmdale facility last month.
"We had an uneventful engine fit check in December and fully expect the final engine installation to go without a hitch," said Gary Ervin, X-35 program manager.
The second demonstrator aircraft, the X-35C aircraft carrier (CV) variant for the U.S. Navy, also is on track in its assembly schedule, with the upcoming structural proof test series scheduled for this spring. It will then follow the first X-35A through ground testing before flying later this year.
Lockheed Martin received one of two JSF Concept Demonstration contracts awarded by the Department of Defense in November 1996. The Lockheed Martin JSF team includes Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) and BAE SYSTEMS. Flight evaluation of the demonstrator aircraft is scheduled to take place in 2000, with government selection of a single contractor for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase set for 2001.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of military aircraft. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. LM Aero is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT). Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.
For information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit www.lockheedmartin.com.
For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company - Fort Worth, visit: www.thefighterenterprise.com.
For information on Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter program, visit: www.jsfteam.com.
Corresponding photo is available at: thefighterenterprise.com.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
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