Mighty F-35 Lightning II engine roars to life

September 20, 2006 (by Lieven Dewitte) – The F-35 Lightning II completed its first series of engine runs on Monday afternoon, culminating in a full-afterburner test that unleashed 40,000 pounds of thrust – the most ever from a jet-fighter engine.

By comparison, 40,000 pounds of thrust is seen on older engine models used for commercial airliners. The F-15 fighter can muster up about 25,000 pounds of thrust.

The testing began on Friday, Sept. 15, when Chief Pilot Jon Beesley moved a cockpit switch to the “run” position and brought the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine to life.

While F135 engines already have logged thousands of successful hours on test stands, Friday’s engine start marked the first time the engine had run in the F-35 aircraft. The milestone kicked off a final series of ground tests that will lead to the jet’s first flight later this year.

“Starting and running the F135 engine means we’re now in the final stretch leading to first flight, and also that we have greater insight into the F-35’s design as an integrated system,” said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program manager.

A unique Integrated Power Package (IPP), produced by Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems, is used to start the engine. The installed IPP was started for the first time on Sept. 7. It combines a starter, electrical power supply and environmental control system in a single unit – systems that in previous aircraft have been separate, stand-alone units.

The engine runs mark the first time that the F-35 has been completely functional on its own power systems. As the tests proceeded, Beesley incrementally advanced the throttle until the engine achieved military power (full power without afterburner) on Sunday night, and full afterburner on Monday.

Before today’s engine start, nine F135 development engines had run for more than 5,500 hours on test stands. The F135 is an evolution of the Pratt & Whitney F119 engine, which powers the F-22 Raptor, Lockheed Martin’s other 5TH Generation Fighter. Pratt & Whitney has delivered three flight test engines to support the F-35’s first flights. As the most powerful single-engine fighter in history, the F-35 Lightning II produces more thrust than most twin-engine fighters.

Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Fifteen F-35s will undergo flight testing, seven will be used for static/ground testing and another will validate the aircraft’s radar signature.

http://www.f-16.net/news_article1985.html

the attached photo isnt it AMX?

ok this is something new for me in regards to RSAF interest for this AWACS

what are the pods under the USMC Harrier???

More Polish F-16.

I will add the news 😀

http://www.f-16.net/news_article1975.html

Poland takes delivery of first F-16 Block 52+

September 15, 2006 (by LMTAS) – Today Poland took delivery of its first F-16 Block 52+ aircraft during a ceremony at Lockheed Fort Worth.. The aircraft is the first of 48 F-16s (36 F-16C and 12 F-16D) which will be the most advanced fighters in NATO’s inventory.

Ceremonies were held today at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, to commemorate the Polish F-16 Peace Sky program. The ceremony marks an important production milestone, demonstrating that the program is on schedule and on budget. When delivered, the Polish F-16 will be the most advanced fighter aircraft in NATO.

“Poland is delighted to be taking delivery of an aircraft that will not only transform our capabilities in the air but also those of our ground troops and the Navy,” said Minister of Defense Sikorski. “It will also significantly bolster the operational capacity of our expeditionary forces.”

The Poland Peace Sky Program began in April 2003. Today’s rollout commemorates the 48 F-16s that Lockheed Martin is producing for Poland. The aircraft joins a fleet of more than 4,300 F-16s operated by 24 air forces around the world.

“This is a great day for Poland and the United States,” said Deputy Undersecretary Lemkin. “The Polish Air Force now will be flying a frontline, top-performance fighter, virtually the same F-16 being flown by the U.S. Air Force. The Peace Sky program is the centerpiece of an enduring relationship between our air forces and will allow us to train together, operate together, fly together and learn from one another. These F-16s will provide the foundation of interoperability that will enable us to carry out operations as NATO and coalition partners.”

Commander of the Poland Air Force Targosz expressed pride that Poland has acquired such advanced F-16s. “The Poland Air Force is proud to accept our new F-16 today,” he said. “Poland now has the most technologically advanced F-16s in NATO, strengthening not only the Poland Air Force, but improving our interoperability with other F-16 operators in the NATO alliance.”

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics President Ralph D. Heath recognized the vision shared by the United States and Poland when the Peace Sky program began. “We have a new NATO beginning today,” he said. “Peace Sky is physical evidence of the vision both our nations shared to take Poland and NATO to a new level with this most capable, combat-proven, 21st century fighter.”

The F-16 for Poland includes enhanced capabilities, modern technologies and growth potential that will establish a foundation for the Poland Air Force in the 21st century. “We have been on or ahead of schedule in all key events,” said Lockheed Martin’s Shrewsbury. “We will take every measure to ensure the Poland Air Force achieves and maintains its highest levels of capability and readiness while flying the F-16.”

The Poland Peace Sky program includes 36 F-16Cs and 12 F-16Ds, all powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. This first aircraft – a single-seat F-16C model – was accepted by the U.S. government (as agent for Poland in the Foreign Military Sales process) on March 30, one month ahead of schedule. The U.S. government accepted the first two-seat F-16D version in June. The first four aircraft will be ferried to Poland in November with the remainder following in 2007 and 2008.

in FAF

Rafale = M2000/Jaguar/F-1 replacements (sounds like French JSF to me :D)

some are rare…:D