F-35B completes wet runway and crosswind testing

F-35B aircraft BF-4, piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Dan Levin, starts down the runway as part of wet runway and crosswind testing ...

F-35B aircraft BF-4, piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Dan Levin, starts down the runway as part of wet runway and crosswind testing at Edwards AFB, California. (Lockheed Martin photo by Tom Reynolds)

The Lockheed Martin F-35B destined for U.S. Marines Corps recently completed the wet runway and crosswind testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
The aircraft is now cleared for 20 knot crosswind envelope for Conventional Take Off & Landings (CTOL), Short Take Offs (STO) and Short Landings (SL).

The testing was completed in 37 missions during a 41-day period, achieving 114 test points, including 48 of 48 wet runway test points, four of four performance STOs, 12 of 18 unique flight test conditions for STO, 19 of 23 unique flight test conditions for SLs and all directional control and anti-skid wet runway testing. All testing was performed with BF-4, based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
F-35B Intial Operational Clearance is targeted for 2015.