FORT WORTH, Texas - Lockheed Martin has completed the first F-35 Lightning II equipped with mission systems, and avionics testing is set to begin. The short takeoff/vertical landing F-35 variant is scheduled for delivery to the flight line by the end of January with the first flight expected this summer. Aircraft BF-4 will carry the Northrop Grumman radar and integrated communications, navigation and identification suite and the BAE Systems electronic warfare system. Five F-35s are already undergoing testing. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 01/23/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is scheduled to be the location for the F-35 training center. All three companies have operations in the Gulf Coast.
