Copied from Lockheed site...s'more cheerleadin', interesting tho'
sojourner

"The maturity of this highly integrated aircraft for its second flight is
dazzling - when it's time to fly it is always ready and takes minimal time
to get out of the chocks," said Jon Beesley, F-35 Chief Test Pilot. "The
flight underscores that the Lightning II flies just as our engineers
predicted. This was the first time that we have retracted the landing gear
and the aircraft handling qualities were outstanding. I continue to be
impressed by this marvelous airplane's performance and handling
characteristics."

Approximately 10 minutes into the flight, Beesley retracted the landing gear
and climbed from 15,000 to 20,000 feet to evaluate handling qualities and
engine operation in the cruise mode at Mach 0.6 (~ 450 m.p.h.) and Mach 0.7
(~ 530 m.p.h.). The handling tests included rolls, turns, angle-of-attack
changes and engine throttle changes. The flight lasted 62 minutes and was
executed exactly as planned. It followed the aircraft's successful first
flight on Dec. 15, when the F-35 demonstrated unprecedented engine
performance and handling qualities. The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role,
5TH Generation stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing
aircraft, including AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United
Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

Lockheed Martin is developing the Lightning II with its principal industrial
partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable
F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE
Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

"With this successful flight and its broad array of test points, F-35 flight
test has really begun," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice
president and F-35 program general manager. "The ease of starting and flying
this aircraft is a reflection of the quality of the team who designed and
built it."

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5TH Generation stealth fighter
designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8B
Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and
Sea Harriers.

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