Flaming hot

A Pratt & Whitney F135 engine for the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) version of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter undergoes Proof Testing, as well as augmentor characterization work, in Arnold’s Sea Level 3 (SL-3) test cell. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

High-level look

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne asks questions about the models being used to conduct F-35 Lightning II store separation testing in the Arnold Engineering Development Center’s (AEDC) four-foot transonic wind tunnel. Capt. Rod Fried, Air Force flight systems test manager with AEDC’s 716th Test Squadron, and F-35 Store Separation Engineer Chris Hetreed with Lockheed Martin, were on hand to answer questions during Secretary Wynne’s first visit to the center Nov. 27, 2007. (Photo by David Housch)

F-35 aerodynamic loads testing at Arnold AFB marks milestone in program

A 12-percent model of the Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) version of the F-35 Lightning II is undergoing aerodynamic loads testing in AEDC’s 16-foot transonic wind tunnel. The information from this testing, the final entry in a series of tests, will go into a large database to refine and validate the aircraft designs for flight testing and ultimately, production of the CTOL and STOVL variants.

F-35 aerodynamic loads testing at Arnold AFB marks milestone in program

A 12-percent model of the Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) version of the F-35 Lightning II is undergoing aerodynamic loads testing in AEDC’s 16-foot transonic wind tunnel. The information from this testing, the final entry in a series of tests, will go into a large database to refine and validate the aircraft designs for flight testing and ultimately, production of the CTOL and STOVL variants.

F-35 aerodynamic loads testing at Arnold AFB marks milestone in program

Tim Wright, an Aerospace Testing Alliance craftsman at AEDC, examines the Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) F-35 model in the 16 –foot transonic wind tunnel during a model change. The information from this testing, the final entry in a series of tests, will go into a large database to refine and validate the aircraft designs for flight testing and ultimately, production of the CTOL and STOVL F-35 variants.

AEDC performs mission critical tests on F-35 model

Chris Powell, a Lockheed Martin engineer, inspects the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) model during a break in aerodynamics load testing in Propulsion Wind Tunnel’s 16-foot transonic wind tunnel. Arnold Engineering Development Center has played a key role in the development of the multi-service, multi-national JSF conducting aerodynamic and weapons separation wind tunnel testing as well as ongoing multi-year $200 million test program for the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney F135 engine. The center is also scheduled to test alternate the Rolls-Royce/GE F136 engine.