Accompanied by an F-16 chase plane, AF-01 approaches the runway at Edwards.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Dynamics F-16B/D Fighting Falcon - СШАUSA - 1977Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

Royal Danish Air Force F-16BM ET-210 joined the 461st FLTS in October 2008 and mainly acts as chase plane for the F-35A test flights.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Dynamics F-16B/D Fighting Falcon - СШАUSA - 1977

F-35A AF-01 and 412th Test Wing NKC-135R 61-0320 conduct air-refuelling during a test mission from Edwards AFB near the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker / C-135 Stratolifter - СШАUSA - 1956Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

F-35A AF-03 undertakes air-refuelling with the 412th Test Wng's NKC-135R 61-0320.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker / C-135 Stratolifter - СШАUSA - 1956Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

F-35A Lightning II AF-01 on the flight test ramp at Edwards AFB, California.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

Clearly visible on the inside of AF-02's left tail are the strain gauges wired to the instrumentation systems, to measure the loads acting on the vertical stabiliser.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

The 'bulges’ seen in front of the stabilisers and underneath the fuselage of AF-04 are AME-3 devices that increase the radar cross section (RCS), and therefore enable radars to track the aircraft during test and training flights.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

F-35A 07-0745/'EG' is one of two aircraft built under the LRIP 1 contract and will eventually be delivered to Eglin AFB in Florida for use by the 33rd FW.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

F-35A AF-01 over Edwards AFB.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

Taking off from Edwards, AF-04 demonstrates that the jet's nose wheel is tucked away in the wheel bay well before the main gear is retracted.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

The custom-fit carbon fibre F-35 helmet weights less than 2kg, and its integrated display connects the pilot with the aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

The Dutch team within the F-35 ITF at Edwards AFB pose for the camera in front of F-35A AF-01 with US Air Force test pilot Maj Steven 'Whitey' Speares (centre). From left to right, he is flanked by Sgt Mark Theihzen (avionics specialist), Nancy Bradshaw (FTE), Maj Bernard 'Bernie' Buijs (FTE) and Sgt Anno Visser (crew chief).

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

AF-01 achieved the F-35's maximum design limit speed of Mach 1.6 for the first time on October 25, 2011.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

The flags of all nine nations involved in the F-35 Integrated Test Force are displayed on the intake of AF-01, seen taxiing at Edwards AFB at the start of another test flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

AF-01 sits in the hangar at Edwards in between test flights.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

US Air Force Maj Steven 'Whitey' Speares became the 20th F-35 pilot on April 22, 2011.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006