01/25/2012 The first night flight in the history of the F-35 Program was completed Wednesday, January 18, 2011 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Mark Ward, AF-6, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, launched at 5:05 p.m. PST and landed after sunset at 6:22 p.m.
The mission consisted of a series of straight in approaches in twilight and darkness.
The pilot also performed an evaluation of the F-35’s cockpit lighting, which Ward called, “the best he’s ever seen.”
The testing will clear the way for night refueling and formation testing later this year.
Credit Video: Lockheed Martin