First operational Dutch F-35A handed over

摘要

LOCKHEED MARTIN formally handed over the first operational F-35A to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force, RNLAF) on January 30. The Lightning Ⅱ, F-003 (AN-03), the third built for the RNLAF, was transferred to Dutch ownership during a rollout ceremony at the factory in Fort Worth, Texas. As previously reported, this aircraft made its maiden flight at Fort Worth last December 15 - see Third Dutch F-35A flies, February, p11. It was preceded by two trials aircraft, F-001 (AN-01) and F-002 (AN-02), which were delivered in 2013 and are now at Edwards Air Force Base, California, for operational testing with 323 Test and Evaluation Squadron.