Lightning strikes twice

The aeronautical company, Lockheed martin, have on the 13^th April 2010 rolled out the new F-35A lightning II aircraft, formerly known as the Joint Striker Fighter (JSF). This aircraft has recently been painted with hand-painted vertical stabilizers as well as a very accurate robotically-applied paint coating. This specific test aircraft has conventional take-off and landing capabilities and is the first optimized design of the F-35A.

F-35A, with new paint from Lockheed Martin 

The F35A Lightning II aircraft has had two previous flights, with the first being 15^th December 2006. The aircraft is scheduled to return to the Edwards Air Force Base in California for more testing.

The F-35 will be released in three different models:

·         F-35A with conventional take-off and landing

·         F-35B with short take-off and landing (STOVL)

·         F-35C which is a carrier-based variant

To know more about the F-35A’s first flight visit:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/F35FL12156.xml

To know about the F-35, please visit:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f35/