The US Navy has received its first mission-systems-equipped Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II test jet at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
A short take-off / vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft, the BF-4 is the fourth F-35B to arrive and begin testing at the naval air station.
Lockheed Martin F-35 programme integration executive vice-president Tom Burbage said the mission systems aircraft featured advanced aerodynamic capabilities and flying qualities, along with the most capable transcendent avionics capability.
Other features of the STOVL aircraft include a next-generation sensor suit capable of collecting vast amounts of information that can be presented on state-of-the-art cockpit and helmet displays.
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By GlobalDataWith the sensor suite, the pilot can make faster and more effective tactical decisions and transfer information to other aircraft as well as maritime and ground forces.
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Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 in cooperation with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
The US Navy is expected to induct a fifth F-35B with the first navy carrier variant in 2011 at Patuxent River.