AF-1 recently became the second F-35A test aircraft to reach 500 flight hours, announced F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin. The airplane reached the milestone on a test sortie from Edwards AFB, Calif., according to the company’s Jan. 23 release. This was AF-1’s 272nd flight, states the release. AF-1 began flying in November 2009. Back in June, AF-2 became the first F-35A to reach 500 flight hours, said Lockheed Martin. The F-35A flight test program has completed more than 43 percent of the overall test plan, noted the company.
The U.S. is moving to surge firepower over Iran, including its capital of Tehran, defense officials leading the campaign said March 5 at U.S. Central Command headquarters. Bomber strikes are being stepped up and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed.