Two F-35 Test Jets Delivered to NL

Yesterday, the first of two Dutch F-35 test aircraft were moved to the Netherlands Ministry of Defense from the U.S. Likewise, it is the first CTOL transferred to a partner overseas in the program. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"25742","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-3863 ","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"199","alt":"F-35A"}}]] U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron taxis before its first operational training mission April 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
SrA Brett Clashman/ U.S. federal government/ Wikimedia Commons About four years ago, the Netherlands ordered the jet which will take part in the working test stage of the F-35 program. The aircraft was officially delivered to the Dutch Ministry of Defense from the flight line of Fort Worth, U.S., after proper inspection. The Netherlands is now in charge of the jets while all Dutch defense workers will undergo a technical training. They will then oversee maintenance works by the Americans. The production of the second test jet ordered a couple of years is ago is already completed. However, the aircraft is still undergoing a few tests and acceptance flights.