F-35 Lightning II Program Surpasses 5,000 Flight Hours

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program surpassed 5,000 flight hours last month. This milestone was reached by the combined F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) aircraft flying at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and the training aircraft flying at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

All three variants, the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL), the Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) and Carrier Variant (CV), participated in achievement of this goal.

Since the program's first flight in December 2006, F-35s have flown 3,464 times. This total includes:

+ 91 flights from the original test aircraft, AA-1;

+ 2,510 SDD test flights; and

+ 863 production-model flights.

New Gunship-To-Be Takes To The Skies
Marietta, GA (SPX) Dec 05 -The first MC-130J Commando II that will be converted to a new AC-130J gunship made its first flight here this week. The MC-130J will have a Precision Strike Package installed, then will fly as a gunship in early 2014. The total requirement for new AC-130J gunships is 37.

Super Galaxy Delivered
Marietta, GA (SPX) Dec 05 - Lockheed Martin has delivered the sixth production C-5M Super Galaxy to the Air Force, Friday, Nov. 30, at the Lockheed Martin facilities here.

Aircraft 85-0001 is the ninth overall C-5M Super Galaxy for the Air Force and will undergo internal paint restoration at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., before traveling to its permanent home at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The Super Galaxy is America's premier global direct delivery weapon system is the only true strategic airlifter capable of offering the globe in one flight, unrefueled.