In August 2002, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. selected
Vought to manufacture the lower wing skins for the F-35 JSF.
The initial contract is for the system development
and demonstration phase of the program, covering production
of 8 shipsets through October 2007. Vought's facility in Milledgeville,
Ga., will manufacture the F-35 wing skins.
In addition, Vought was awarded a technical support contract to assist Lockheed Martin in the development of the integrated full-scale airframe test program for the JSF program. The drop test planning effort will draw on Vought's extensive history in support of carrier suitability testing and continued support of Navy aircraft testing in Vought's Dallas facility.
In 2003 Vought was selected to perform full-scale tests on the F-35. The $7 million contract is to perform drop tests on the F-35C carrier version. Full-scale testing will begin in 2007.
 The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a stealthy, supersonic, multi-role fighter designed for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. It is intended to replace the A-10, the AV-8 Harrier, F-16 and F/A-18. The first F-35 will be delivered to the U.S. military in 2008.
Three versions of the JSF are planned. The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant will be built in the highest quantities, and is designed for the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Navy's carrier variant (CV) features a larger wing and control surface, additional wingtip ailerons and a special structure to absorb the punishing catapult launches and arrested landings associated with aircraft carrier operations. The short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version is equipped with a unique shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system that enables the aircraft to take off from a very short runway or small aircraft carrier and land vertically. The U.S. Marine Corps will employ the STOVL JSF, which will be the first operational STOVL aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight. |
