Sensor-Equipped F-35 Makes Maiden Flight A Year Late

An F-35 Lightning II fighter equipped with a full suite of mission systems made its first flight on Wednesday, reports Lockheed Martin.

The nearly hour-long flight out of Fort Worth, Texas, tested the aircraft's engine response at varying throttle settings, flight maneuvers and mission systems, said the manufacturer.

The full mission suite includes the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar; electro-optical targeting system (EOTS); electro-optical...