The U.S. Navy has dedicated a $24 million facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., for testing of the Navy and Marine Corps' newest jets: the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35B and F-35C Joint Strike Fighter.
Nine of the 15 F-35 flight-test aircraft will undergo evaluation at the Joint Strike Fighter Test and Support Facility at NAS Patuxent River. Arrival of the first jet, a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B for the Marine Corps, is planned for early 2008. Testing of the Navy's F-35C, designed for catapult launches and arrested recoveries aboard large aircraft carriers, will begin in 2009. Both versions will be tested in land- and ship-based environments. The stealthy F-35 will be the most powerful single-engine fighter ever fielded.
"We are proud to supply the Navy and the Marines with their first stealth aircraft, which will bring a great leap in capability to both services," said Dan Crowley Lockheed Martin executive vice president and JSF program general manager. "It's clear that this impressive airplane will get an equally impressive test facility at Pax River."
Military, industry and government officials, including U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, were among the approximately 200 people who attended a dedication of the new complex on Jan. 23. Also attending were Rear Adm. Steven Enewold JSF program director, Doug Pearson Lockheed Martin vice president and director of F-35 integrated test force, and outgoing integrated test force director Paul Metz, who recently announced his retirement.
PR Newswire
Nine of the 15 F-35 flight-test aircraft will undergo evaluation at the Joint Strike Fighter Test and Support Facility at NAS Patuxent River. Arrival of the first jet, a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B for the Marine Corps, is planned for early 2008. Testing of the Navy's F-35C, designed for catapult launches and arrested recoveries aboard large aircraft carriers, will begin in 2009. Both versions will be tested in land- and ship-based environments. The stealthy F-35 will be the most powerful single-engine fighter ever fielded.
"We are proud to supply the Navy and the Marines with their first stealth aircraft, which will bring a great leap in capability to both services," said Dan Crowley Lockheed Martin executive vice president and JSF program general manager. "It's clear that this impressive airplane will get an equally impressive test facility at Pax River."
Military, industry and government officials, including U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, were among the approximately 200 people who attended a dedication of the new complex on Jan. 23. Also attending were Rear Adm. Steven Enewold JSF program director, Doug Pearson Lockheed Martin vice president and director of F-35 integrated test force, and outgoing integrated test force director Paul Metz, who recently announced his retirement.
PR Newswire
