The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II completed its first flight moments ago at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, Texas. The F-35 is an all-new family of supersonic stealth fighters designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18s and Harriers. The F-35 program is the world's largest military project, involving 11 countries and employing about 20,000 people worldwide.

Today we will host a phone-in news conference, a flightline media opportunity and will provide video via satellite feed. Flight photos will be available on site and online at http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?dsp=fnec&ti=129&cpi=1&rsbci=1 and http://www.teamjsf.com/ .

The phone-in news conference will begin at about 3:30 p.m. CST. Participants include F-35 Chief Pilot Jon Beesley, F-35 Program General Manager Dan Crowley, F-35 Program Executive Officer Brig. Gen. C.R. Davis and leaders from across the F-35 team. In-person media are welcome to attend.

   Call-in information is as follows:
   Phone Number: 866-575-6537
   Code: 7406971

   Callers outside North America please use:
   Phone Number: +913-312-1241
   Code: 7406971

   To replay news conference (active for 72 hours):
   Replay telephone numbers: 719-457-0820 or 888-203-1112
   Replay Passcode: 7406971

The satellite video feed is planned for today at about 4:00 p.m. CST. The feed will include footage of takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, landing and sound bites with F-35 Chief Pilot Jon Beesley. The feed will repeat until 6:30 p.m. CST.

   Satellite-coordinate information is as follows:
   North America:
   SBS6/KU 2
   Down link freq 11749.5 V

   Australia:
   PAS2 C 12 C-BAND Channel "C"
   Down link freq 4035.5 H
   Symbol Rate 6.1113
   FEC 3/4
   NDS (in the clear)
   Standard: PAL

   Europe:
   Atlantic Bird 1 B5 Channel "H"
   Down link freq 11189.83 H
   Symbol rate 6.1113
   FEC 3/4
   NDS (in the clear)
   Standard: PAL

If you miss the feed, the video will remain online in both Quicktime and Windows Media formats at: http://www.crmstudios.tv/videos/F35/

The flightline media opportunity at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth is planned after the phone-in news conference and will include the same participants.

The aircraft will be in view of cameras and reporters during the news conference.

  Directions to Lockheed Martin, 1 Lockheed Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas:
    From downtown Fort Worth, go west on I-30 for about eight miles
    Take the Spur 341 exit (right)
    Follow Spur 341 to the Lockheed Martin gate

    Reporters and photographers, please show your identification to the
    guards at the main gate.  Your vehicle and equipment are subject to
    search.  Posted signs will direct you to the check-in area at Bldg. 200.
    Because of logistical considerations, please arrive at the plant as soon
    as possible after receiving this advisory.

An F-35 electronic media kit is available at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?dsp=fec&ci=15965&rsbci=13151&fti =0&ti=0&sc=400

CONTACT: John R. Kent, +1-817-308-5567, or john.r.kent@lmco.com , or John Smith, +1-817-312-5131, or john.a1.smith@lmco.com , or Joe Stout, +1-817-308-5520, or joe.w.stout@lmco.com , or Michael Moore, +1-817-504-6677, or michael.p.moore@lmco.com , all of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

PRNewswire -- Dec. 15

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company