America’s newest fighter, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, made it’s debut yesterday:
FORT WORTH, Texas — The new stealth fighter jet that will replace an aging fleet of military planes experienced a largely successful first flight Friday, with only a minor glitch, Lockheed Martin Corp. officials said.
Jon S. Beesley, chief test pilot for the Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35, said the plane handled “marvelously,” performed flawlessly and flew better than the simulator. He flew to 15,000 feet, escorted by three jets that provided safety and took pictures.
“It was a great adventure,” he said. “Today really started the opening for me for the rest of this greatest fighter program in history where we’re going to go forward and develop this great weapons system that will protect everybody, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Cool pictures below the fold (H/T: Rusty Shackelford)
