STOVL F-35B Opens Doors In Flight

[tigershark]

STOVL F-35B Opens Doors In Flight
Sep 2, 2008

Graham Warwick

Lockheed Martin’s short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B Joint Strike Fighter has opened doors associated with the lift system for the first time in flight.

The first F-35B, aircraft BF-1, resumed flight testing Aug. 27 after a four-week break to troubleshoot a problem.

The various lift-system doors will be opened over a series of flights to check the effect on aircraft handling. The first doors to be opened in flight were those under the rear fuselage that cover the three-bearing swivelling nozzle. The nozzle itself was not deployed.

Lockheed says there will be a short break in flight testing to load a software update, then the F-35B will open all the lift system doors in flight. Following this, BF-1 will be grounded for several months. The aircraft is to begin STOVL test flights early next year after installation of a redesigned engine.

The first F-35, aircraft AA-1, is expected to fly next week after a six-week hiatus caused by failed nacelle vent fans, which pump cooling air between the engine and the airframe while the aircraft is on the ground, The fans have been repaired and reinstalled, Lockheed says.

After check flights, AA-1 is expected to deploy from Fort Worth, Texas, to Edwards Air Force Base in California for engine air-start testing and noise measurements.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

Source
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/F35B090208.xml&headline=STOVL%20F-35B%20Opens%20Doors%20In%20Flight