DefenceTalkFleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) marked a milestone in its support of the F-35B Lightning II aircraft when it successfully completed verification of the laser shock peening process and returned the first aircraft to undergo the procedure to the fleet. Laser shock peening strengthens the aircraft’s frame without adding any additional material or weight, which […]https://www.defencetalk.com/depot-returns-1st-f-35-to-receive-modification-returned-to-fleet-77601/

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore of up to twelve (12) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.750 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The […]

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force team brings the U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35B one step closer to initial operational test and evaluation as they wrap up testing of the F-35B STOVL envelope with sloped surface vertical landing tests January and February at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field (MCALF) Bogue, N.C. “The Marine Corps is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-pax-river-itf-expands-expeditionary-envelope-for-usmc-71168/

DefenceTalkIn the Point Mugu Sea Test Range airspace off the Central California coast, an F-35B demonstrated the jet’s air-to-air combat capability when it sequentially engaged two aerial targets with two AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles during a Weapon Delivery Accuracy mission. Test pilot and 461st Flight Test Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Allen, tracked […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-lightning-ii-aircraft-demonstrates-air-to-air-combat-capability-59788/

DefenceTalkLast Wednesday, Aug. 14, U.S. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Russell Clift performed the first F-35B night-time vertical landing aboard the USS WASP. During the Ship Suitability Sea Trials, also known as Developmental Test Phase Two (DT-II), the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant will demonstrate critical capabilities of the aircraft that will be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35b-accomplishes-first-night-vertical-landing-aboard-uss-wasp-48835/

DefenceTalkThe Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft completed its 500th vertical landing August 3. BF-1, the aircraft which completed this achievement, also accomplished the variant’s first vertical landing in March 2010 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Next week, Sea Trials, known as Developmental Test 2 (DT-2) are scheduled to begin for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35b-ready-for-sea-trials-48705/

DefenceTalkA Lockheed Martin F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) Lightning II test aircraft recently completed the first-ever Vertical Takeoff (VTO) on May 10. VTOs are one of the many capabilities required for the fielding an F-35B aircraft. While not a combat capability, VTOs are required for repositioning of the STOVL in environments where a jet could […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35b-completes-first-vertical-takeoff-47831/