Engineers at Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee have spent six years participating in F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development and testing, states an AEDC news release. The center has logged about 10,000 hours on the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine and wind tunnel model testing. AEDC spent $17 million to upgrade its facilities primarily to accommodate testing for the new F135 engine because “it’s an evolution in the art of aircraft engines—more airflow, more thrust, go-faster type of things,” explained Jeff Albro, AEDC F135 program manager. The center has tested all three variants—conventional takeoff and landing, short takeoff and landing, and carrier version—each with different flight characteristics.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.