B
RAF 100
62 // JULY 2018 #364 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comAE Systems is one of Lockheed Martin’s
most important industry partners in the
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme
and Martin Peters has a vital role to play in the
development of the type. He is the company’s
F-35 flight test manager and test lead for STOVL
(short take-off and vertical landing). Speaking
from his office at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland,
he told AFM: “We’ve had a core team in the
flight test community since 2002.” This has
included significant participation by British
flight test engineers in the $55bn System
Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase.
SDD was formally concluded on April 11
when F-35C test aircraft CF-02 completed
a mission to collect loads data while
carrying external 2,000lb (907kg) GBU-31
Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and
AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.Above: F-35B BF-02 during test flying
with externally mounted ASRAAM
and Paveway IV UK weapons in 2013.
Lockheed Martin/Layne Laughter
Below: BAE test pilot Pete ‘Wizzer’
Wilson is STOVL Lead Test Pilot for the
F-35 programme. BAE Systems