Supersonic AIM-120 Launch
16 July 2013: Air Force Maj. Matt Phillips flew AF-1 to complete an AIM-120 launch at Mach 1.2. This flight was the first supersonic and second overall AIM-120 launch for the F-35 program.
Photo by Darin Russell
200 Flights For BF-4
22 July 2013: Navy Lt. Cdr. Michael Wilson was at the controls for Flight 200 of F-35B BF-4.
Photo by Andy Wolfe
AIM-120 Milestone
24 July 2013: Marine Corps Maj. Richard Rusnok was at the controls of F-35A AF-1 to complete the third and final AIM-120 launch required as part of the process for releasing 2B software to the F-35A fleet.
Photo by Tom Reynolds
First KC-135 Aerial Refuel For F-35B
24 July 2013: The first strategic tanking test with an F-35B and a KC-135 with wingtip hose and drogue refueling capability was carried out on the range near NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The test was strictly a contact test in which no fuel was transferred. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Patrick Moran was at the controls of F-35 BF-2 on Flight 266. The KC-135 came from McConnell AFB, Kansas.
Photo by Layne Laughter
200 Flights For AF-3
31 July 2013: Air Force Maj. Matt Phillips was at the controls for Flight 200 of F-35A AF-3.
500th Vertical Landing
3 August 2013: Navy Capt. Michael Kingen completed the 500th vertical landing of an F-35B when he landed F-35B BF-1 on Flight 315 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.
Photo by Layne Laughter
