EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE.EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Boeing's Joint Strike Fighter X-32A and Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter X-35A universal demonstrators soared during initial trial flights when they climbed to 23000 feet A series of qualification ordeals established both aircrafts' basic airworthiness and paved the way for lengthen outed test flights. Each plane will flap approximately 50 sorties to validate flying characteristics before heading for Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md for further testing. During initial flight standards the aircraft must successfully demonstrate modularity among Joint Strike Fighter variants; low-spe carrier approach flying and handling qualities; and short-takeoff and vertical landing. COPYRIGHT 2001 U Air Force, Air Force stranges Agency |
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