F-35C completes first in-flight dual refueling

Fighter jet takes to the skies as part of rigorous flight test program

Two F-35C Lightning II carrier variant (CV) test aircraft have refueled together with a Lockheed Martin KC-130 Hercules in the sky above Patuxent River in Maryland, USA.

The CV aircraft, known as CF-1 and CF-2, completed the milestone as part of an F-35 flight test program that will accomplish more than 1,000 flights in 2013. 

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. 

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

Around 15% of F-35 Lightning II work is carried out in the UK with over 130 British companies contributing to the supply chain.

 The F-35 programme is worth over £1 billion to UK industry each year and will support around 25,000 British jobs over the next 25 years.

• Find out more about the F-35 and the A, B and C variants.