F-35A completes in-flight refuelling milestone
Lockheed Martin has announced that the F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing aircraft has completed the programme’s first in-flight refuelling mission while configured with external weapons at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The flight took place on Saturday April 21, 2012 according to a company release.
According to the company, US Air Force Lt. Col. George Schwartz piloted the test aircraft, known as AF-4, with two external inert AIM-9X weapons and four external stores. Internally, the jet was carrying two Joint Direct Attack Munitions and two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles.
The two-hour mission tested the flying qualities of the aircraft while manoeuvring with external weapons. This test paves the way for weapons separation testing later this year.
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