Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Flight Test Update, May 11th, 2011 — Since the last F-35 flight test program update issued March 31, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II aircraft have conducted 125 test flights, bringing the total number of flights for the year to 331.

Several flight test key milestones were accomplished since the last report:

• The F-35 program flew the most flights ever recorded on one day (May 6) when a combined total of eight test flights were completed at all three of its flight test locations. (Edwards AFB, Calif.; Fort Worth, Texas, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.)
• The U.S. Air Force accepted into its fleet the first of a planned 1,763 production-model F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters when AF-7 was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on May 6. It is the first aircraft from Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) lot one delivered.
• The first F-35A production aircraft that will be delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., accomplished its first flight on May 6. Known as AF-8, the aircraft will be delivered to Eglin for pilot and maintainer training later this year. This jet is the first aircraft to fly from Low Rate Initial Production lot two.
• The second F-35C carrier variant (CV), known as CF-2 completed its first flight April 29. Later this month it is scheduled to be delivered to the F-35 test fleet at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., (PAX).
• The program recorded the 300th System Development and Demonstration flight of 2011 on May 6.
• At Edwards, F-35s passed the 250 flight mark of the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant on May 5. The first test jets, AF-1 and AF-2, arrived there on May 17, 2010.
• Two more F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jets, BF-3 and BF-4 performed their first vertical landings. BF-4 flew its mission on Apr. 27 and BF-3 on Apr. 29. STOVL jets have conducted 94 vertical landings to date in 2011.

The following totals and highlights capture the overall flight test activity since March 31, and cumulative totals for 2011:

• F-35A (CTOL) aircraft conducted 57 flights. In 2011, CTOL jets have flown 146 times.
• F-35B (STOVL) aircraft conducted 43 flights. In 2011, STOVL aircraft have completed 144 flights and 84 vertical landings.
• F-35C (CV) aircraft accomplished 25 flights. In 2011, CV jets have flown 41 times.
• From the start of flight testing in December 2006 through Tuesday, F-35s flew 878 times.

Lockheed Martin press release