The F-35 Integrated Test Force is based at Edwards AFB, CA, and NAS Patuxent River,MD. Completing F-35 SDD flight test is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the joint government and industry team. Since the first flight of AA-1 in 2006, the developmental flight test program has operated for more than 11 years mishap-free, conducting more than 9,200 sorties, accumulating over 17,000 flight hours, and executing more than 65,000 test points to verify the design, durability, software, sensors, weapons capability and performance for all three F-35 variants. Congratulations to our F-35 test team and the broader F-35 enterprise for delivering this new powerful and decisive capability to the warfighter. The final SDD flight occurred April 11 at NAS Patuxent River, MD, when Navy test aircraft CF-2 completed a mission to collect loads data while carrying external 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AIM-9X Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles. The F-35 flight test program represents the most comprehensive, rigorous and the safest developmental flight test program in aviation history The joint government and industry team demonstrated exceptional collaboration and expertise, and the results have given the men and women who fly the F-35 great confidence in its transformational capability. This is the “FLUTTER TEAM” Test Force patch created for those doing the FLUTTER testing and does not come with velcro attached.
