F-35 development, flight testing, manufacturing Development updates F-35B first flight successfully completed on June 11, 2008 USAF Lt. Col. James Kromberg becomes first military pilot to fly F-35 on Jan. 30, 2008 All three variants have successfully completed Critical Design Review. Final Block 3 software capabilities defined. F-35 AA-1 flight testing Forty-three flights completed as of May 29, 2008. In-flight refueling system qualifications complete. Flight Test Update 3.0 installation complete. First military pilot to fly the F-35 (Jan. 30) described handling as “phenomenal.” Speed of Mach 0.9 achieved on Jan. 10, 2008 Ascent to 38,000 feet on May 3, 2007 Helmet-Mounted…
Following an intense four-year competition, the U.S. Department of Defense on 26 October 2001, named the Lockheed Martin lead Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) team as the winner of the contract to develop the F-35 Lightning II. The F-35 team immediately entered the program’s 10-year System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. The SDD period involves the development and testing of the entire aircraft system, including its manufacture. During SDD, the team will build a total of 22 test aircraft. Fourteen will undergo flight-testing, seven will be used for non-airborne test activities, and one will be used to evaluate the F-35’s radar…
WE DID IT – THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED LUKE FORWARD!!!
GLENDALE, Ariz. – After spending nearly three years building regional and statewide community support for the new F-35 mission at Luke Air Force Base, Luke Forward officials are thrilled with today’s announcement from the Department of Defense that the Glendale base will serve as the Air Force’s new F-35 training center.
The Air Force’s decision to station 72 F-35s for the training of both U.S. and foreign pilots, with the potential to add more F-35 squadrons in the near future, reaffirms an ongoing commitment by the Air Force to the long-term viability of Luke AFB.
Please consider attending one of the four public hearings to voice your support for the F-35 mission coming to Luke AFB. All hearings include an open house session from 5 to 6 pm, followed by a presentation and formal public comment session from 6 to 8 pm. Make sure and review the DEIS report available here before you attend.
F-35A EIS Public Hearings Schedule:
5-6 pm Open House / Information Session
6-8 pm Presentation / Formal Comment Session
CITY
ADDRESS
DATES AND TIMES
Litchfield Park
Wigwam Resort, 300 Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
5-8 p.m., Mon,, Feb. 13
El Mirage
El Mirage Elementary School, Gymnasium 13500 N El Mirage Rd., El Mirage, AZ 85335
5-8 p.m., Tues., Feb. 14
Surprise
Sundial Recreation Center, Auditorium, 14800 N 104rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351
5-8 p.m., Wed., Feb. 15
Gila Bend
Gila Bend Unified School District, Cafeteria, 308 N. Martin Ave.
The first night flight in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program was completed on Jan. 19, 2012 in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Mark Ward, AF-6, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, launched at 5:05 p.m. PST and landed after sunset at 6:22 p.m. F-35 Night flight video courtesy of Lockheed Martin.
The long awaited draft EIS was announced today which sets in motion the process for determining the likelihood of stationing up to 6 squadrons of F-35′s at Luke AFB. The F-35A is the Air Force’s variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which will replace the F-16 Falcon, F-15 Eagle and the A-10 Thunderbolt as the military’s new multi-role fighter…
Key Dates to Remember:
January 20, 2012 - Public release of the F-35A Training Draft EIS
January 20, 2012 – March 14, 2012 - Public hearings for Luke AFB, Arizona
February 13-16, 2012 - Public comment period for F-35A Training Draft EIS closes
Summer 2012 - Release of Final F-35A Training EIS
Summer 2012 - Issuance of USAF F-35A Training EIS Record of Decision
F-35 Mission Update: The United States Air Force issued the following revised schedule for the release of F-35 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As indicated in the news release, the draft EIS has been deferred to December 2011/January 2012. The public comment period will follow the release of the draft EIS by 30-45 days. It is expected that the Record of Decision will likely come in Summer 2012. Thank you for your continued support of the F-35 Mission and Luke AFB.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – After spending nearly three years building regional and statewide community support for the new F-35 mission at Luke Air Force Base, Luke Forward officials are thrilled with today’s announcement from the Department of Defense that the Glendale base will serve as the Air Force’s new F-35 training center.
Please consider attending one of the four public hearings to voice your support for the F-35 mission coming to Luke AFB. All hearings include an open house session from 5 to 6 pm, followed by a presentation and formal public comment session from 6 to 8 pm. Make sure and review the DEIS report available 
