First Night Flight

Posted 18 January 2012

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Photo by Tom Reynolds

The first F-35 Lightning II night flight was completed on 18 January 2012 at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California. Lockheed Martin test pilot Mark Ward took off at 5:05 pm PST and carried out a series of straight-in approaches in twilight and darkness in the F-35A. The pilot also performed an evaluation of the F-35's cockpit lighting during the flight. He landed the aircraft (Air Force serial number 07-0744) after sunset at 6:22 pm. The testing will clear the way for night refueling and formation testing later this year.

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