Norway has completed the first in-country braking trial of a drag chute fitted F-35A on Feb 16, from the Ørland Air Force Base. The te...
Norway has completed the first in-country braking trial of a drag chute fitted F-35A on Feb 16, from the Ørland Air Force Base.
The test successfully verified the parachute braking system, a unique feature being developed for the Norwegian F-35As.
It is being added in order to rapidly decelerate Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s after landing on the country’s icy runways when there are challenging wind conditions.
The chute is housed under a small fairing on the upper rear fuselage between the vertical tails.
The first stage of drag chute braking trials commenced in last April at Edwards Air Force Base in California, verifying handling characteristics and braking performance on wet and dry runways.
Now US Air Force is completing the second round at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska verifying performance at icy runways.
Norway plans to eventually acquire 52 F-35A stealth fighters, along with weapons, support equipment and training, worth around $ 8.5 billion. Currently firm order for 40 aircraft has been placed.
The first three Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A were delivered to Norway, Ørland in November 2017.
From 2018, Norway will receive six aircraft annually until 2024.
Successful F-35 drag chute test in Norway! Milestone for our Armed Forces to operate the aircraft in the Arctic. Read more: https://t.co/BJPFNISKym #kampfly #f35 pic.twitter.com/hXjZ6aSnin— Forsvarsdepartement (@Forsvarsdep) February 20, 2018
