The United States on July 25 transferred the first of two Dutch F-35 test aircraft to the Netherlands Ministry of Defense.
The aircraft was the first Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) delivered to an international partner in the program, according to prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT].
In 2009, the Netherlands ordered this aircraft for participation in the operational test phase of the F-35 program.
After the aircraft was fully checked, it was officially transferred to the Dutch Ministry of Defense. The transfer took place on the flight line at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas facilities–home of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, and home of the F-35 Lightning II.
The Netherlands is now responsible for maintenance and safety. Therefore, some Dutch defense employees will follow a technical training, after which they will supervise maintenance works by the Americans and the respective accounts, according to a Netherlands MoD release.
Production of the second test aircraft ordered in 2011 is final and that aircraft is going through some test and acceptance flights.
It is expected that the first test aircraft will be flown within days to the U.S. Air Force base in Florida where the aircraft will be stored until a decision has been made on the replacement of the F-16 in connection with the memorandum on the future of the Netherlands armed forces. During the storage period, the aircraft will be used for technical ground tests.
The United Kingdom has three F-35Bs Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) stationed at Eglin AFB, Fla.