NORWEGIAN F-35 SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES DRAG CHUTE TEST

It is the first-time deployment of the drag-chute system on an operational RNoAF F-35A.

Norwegian F-35 successfully completes drag chute test.

While the US Air Force is completing another round of cold-weather testing of the F-35A at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Norway completed a successful verification of the drag chute system at Ørland Air Force Base in Norway February 16th.

The chute, unique to the Norwegian aircraft, is housed under a small fairing on the upper rear fuselage between the vertical tails. 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. Other country’s may adopt the system.

Lockheed Martin Drag Chute System Program Manager said that it was the first-time deployment of the system on an operational RNoAF F-35A in Norway. He also noted that the first drag-chute deployment on an icy runway was accomplished on the same day by the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Eielson AFB, Alaska.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force had three aircraft delivered to Norway, Ørland in November 2017. From 2018, Norway will receive six aircraft annually up until, and including, 2024.

Source: Lockheed Martin