First F-35C Production Model Takes Flight

02/16/2013
According to a Lockheed Martin Press release: FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 15, 2013 [caption id="attachment_50938" align="alignnone" width="300"] CF-6 First Flight Photo by Angel DelCueto Carroll Credit: Lockheed Martin[/caption] The first Lockheed Martin production model F-35C carrier variant, known as CF-6, flew its first sortie Thursday. Upon delivery later this year,…

F-35A Completes Clean Wing Flutter Testing

02/11/2013
2013-02-11 According to a Lockheed Martin Press Release: EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Feb 11, 2013 [caption id="attachment_50815" align="alignnone" width="300"]Maj Ryan 'Gunner' Reinhardt flight testing the F-35A at Edwards AFB. Credit Photo: Lockheed Martin [/caption] An F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, known as AF-1, completed its final…

The F-35 Global Supply Chain: A Japanese Perspective

02/06/2013
The F-35 is built to become a global plane.   The defense industrial agreement underlying the program have both that intent and if realized that impact. In a recent Japanese piece on the F-35 this was underscored. The fighter jet is being developed by an international consortium led by U.S.…

Commander’s Perspectives on the Pacific Challenges: Shaping an Effective 21st Century Force

02/01/2013
2013-02-01 by Robbin Laird At Second Line of Defense, we have conducted a number of interviews with Commander’s with special roles in the Pacific.  In this article, we want to bring together some of those insights into a more comprehensive look at the challenges as seen by the Commander’s who are…

100th F-35 on the Assembly Line

01/31/2013
2013-01-30 According to a Lockheed Martin Press Release: Assembly of the 100th Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II is well underway at the F-35 production facility here. [caption id="attachment_50376" align="alignnone" width="300"] Wing of 100th F-35 on the Fort Worth Assembly Line, January 2013. Credit: Lockheed Martin  [/caption] F-35 technicians…