EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Lockheed Martin recently completed the latest in a series of F-35A high-angle-of-attack (AOA) tests. The manufacturer says that the testing accomplished high AOA beyond both the positive and negative maximum command limits, including intentionally putting the aircraft out of control in several configurations.
The test aircraft initially flew in the stealth clean-wing configuration. It was followed by testing with external air-to-air pylons and missiles and then with open weapon bay doors. The F-35A began edge-of-the-envelope high AOA testing in fall 2012. For all testing, recovery from out of control flight has been 100 percent successful without the use of the spin recovery chute, which is carried to maximize safety.
