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F-35A test aircraft AF-4, captured during refueling from the U.S. Air Force tanker.


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F-35B test aircraft BF-5 flies in short takeoff/vertical landing mode on Jan. 5, 2012.


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In preparation for delivery, F-35B production aircraft BF-8 flies its first government flight on Dec. 16, 2011.



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Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti flies F-35B production aircraft BF-7 on its first flight Dec. 21, 2011. The short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft will be delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps after completing initial checkout flights at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas.


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F-35B test aircraft BF-1 flight in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode on Jan. 5, 2012.


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F-35B test aircraft BF-5 completes its first vertical landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., on Jan 5, 2012.