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The first structural test airframe for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has arrived in the UK, in preparation for testing at BAE System’s Brough site in East Yorkshire.

The first structural test airframe for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has arrived in the UK, in preparation for testing at BAE Systems’ Brough site in East Yorkshire.

 

Lockheed’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, will benefit from six static test airframes constructed for the system development and demonstration phase of the F-35 Lightning II programme.

Mick Ord, BAE Systems’ managing director of the F-35 Lightning II business, said: ‘This is another major milestone in the F-35 programme, and we’re delighted to take delivery of the full-scale static testing airframe.

‘BAE Systems is a principal sub-contractor to Lockheed Martin on the F-35 programme, and brings military aircraft expertise that is critical to the F-35 Lightning II airframe and systems.

‘We lead on several work share areas, of which structural testing is one.’

Testing of the airframe, dubbed AG-1, will be carried out via 165 hydraulic actuators to simulate the loads the aircraft would experience in flight.

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