The F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force in Maryland ferried aircraft BF-05 to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida to undergo climatic testing at the 96th Test Wing’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory. During the six-month test, the F-35s will be exposed to extreme wind, solar radiation, fog, humidity, rain intrusion/ingestion, freezing rain, icing cloud, icing build-up, vortex icing and snow.



Photo by Michael D. Jackson, F-35 Integrated Test Force



An icing cloud test calibration fixture is shown in front of an F-35B Lightning II aircraft as it undergoes cold weather testing at the 96th Test Wing’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.



Photo by Michael D. Jackson, F-35 Integrated Test Force

An F-35B Lightning II undergoes ice evaluation testing at the 96th Test Wing’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.



Photo by Michael D. Jackson, F-35 Integrated Test Force