Sunday, August 25, 2013

F-35C has first KC-135 refuel

F-35C refueling. Lockheed Martin photo
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- A Lockheed Martin F-35 carrier variant refueled from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 for the first time Aug. 20. With the completion of this test, the F-35C joins the A and B models in proving that all three variants of the F-35 can be refueled from a common tanker platform, despite different methods. CF-1 was piloted by Lt. Col. Patrick Moran. Earlier this month, the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, the Navy's first F-35C carrier variant aircraft squadron, completed its first flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 08/23/13)