Message posted by Gunny on December 22, 2000 at 20:06:53 EST:
Just to keep anybody from getting confused, the reasons why the 'C' flies after the 'A' - is becuase the X-35B doesn't exist yet. Designed to prove S/VTOL capabilities, Lockheed/Martin will modifiy the 'A' model INTO the 'B" model at a later date - so the 'A' IS the 'B' (Bot not yet), while the 'C' is the second out of three aircraft (which is really only two). Just to confuse you more - the X-35 (A, B OR C) isn't really it's own aircraft, anyway...
Remember - the Air Force is a bueracracy, and so is the Navy - since this aircraft is being designed for both (and the USMC) - it has to have extra confusion built right in... (*Grin*)
...As with other demonstrator aircraft, the X-35 borrows from existing aircraft to reduce costs and design time. The A-6 main
landing gear pair with nose landing gear from the F-15E. The environmental cooling system comes from the F-18E/F. The
auxiliary power system comes from the F-22 while the engine-driven hydraulic pumps are vintage YF-23. The
airframe-mounted accessory drive comes from the B-2 bomber. The Upco ejection seat is the same one used on the Harrier
AV-8B. And the two large color multifunction displays come from the C-130J. The engine is derived from the Pratt & Whitney
F119 found in the F-22. Many subsystems and controls come from the F-16.
In Reply to: Re: X-35C first flight posted by jose on December 20, 2000 at 22:38:10 EST:
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