F-35 engine completes test

The Pratt & Whitney F135 short takeoff/vertical landing propulsion system exceeded thrust performance expectations in recently completed tests, providing more vertical power than required by the F-35 Lightning II STOVL aircraft. The testing was conducted at a hover pit at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. There are three variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, including the vertical takeoff and landing version. (Source: Pratt & Whitney, 05/18/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is to be the home of the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center.