In the article First F-35 rolls off production line in early 2006 the first F-35 rolled of the production line at Lockheed Martins facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed at the time was unsure if the Vision System International (VSI) would be ready for the first flight. In second quarter of 2006 the F-35 was located in the fuel barn where the fuel system was check for functionality. The fuel test would be followed up with structural coupling and ground vibration test and runs of the integrated power package. The F135 Pratt & Whitney engines were scheduled to have their first runs late in the second quarter. Taxi runs would follow in the third quarter.
The article Lockheed Martin’s F-35 First Flight Makes Program A Reality on December 18, 2006 the F-35 took its first flight. The F-35 also known as the Lightning II is the largest acquisition effort of the Pentagon at $275 billion. The United States and eight international partners are involved in the funding and development of the program. Lockheed Martin is estimating final sales to be at 4,500 aircraft. The program would have three versions of aircraft under development; conventional takeoff and landing, short takeoff/vertical landing, and a carrier variant.
In May of 2008 the article Oversight Lapses might ‘have compromised’ F-35 the DoDs internal audit had potential bad news. The audit had concluded “advanced aviation and weapons technology in the… programme may have been compromised by unauthorized access at facilities and in computers at BAE systems”. The DoD inspector general (IG) found no evidence of any compromise.
In August of 2010 the article F-35 partner keep faith despite flight-test concerns the BF-I aircraft had only had two vertical landings since March. The aircraft had extended periods of maintenance issues due to mechanical problems according to Lockheed vice-president Tom Burbage. Canada and Italy have both identified the need for variants of the aircraft. Lockheed intended to have the BF-I prove the F-35B could operate from the USS Wasp amphibious carrier in March of 2011. Before that could happen the F-35B was required to make 50 vertical landings. This variant of the aircraft was due to reach initial operational capability by December 2012.
In December 2010 the article DoD drives hard bargain on F-35 costs the development cost were under scrutiny by DoD officials. There was however a contract award on November 19th finally showing production cost falling. The $3.5 billion contract award would have 30 F-35s for the US and one for the UK in
