Today’s “fly-by” shows the new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The first production flight was December 15, 2006 and it is expected to be in full deployment by 2014. Its huge engine produces 43,000 pounds of thrust giving it supersonic capability, yet it’s capable of a short takeoff using only 400 feet of runway at a take off speed of just 80 m.p.h. If that’s not enough, it’s a hover craft capable of vertical takeoff and landing! All that and stealth, too!
You might also enjoy this video report on the progress of the F-35 program for the first quarter of 2007. These are exciting times in military aviation history!