Summary Lockheed Martin CATBird, a Boeing 737-300 testbed aircraft for F-35, validates the fighter jet's avionics suite. The CATBird underwent significant physical modifications to emulate F-35 features, test sensors, and monitor in-flight performance. The F-35 Lightning II jet and CATBird development involves numerous partners and funding from the US and NATO allies.
It has been more than 17 years since the first flight of the Lockheed Martin CATBird. The aircraft in question is a highly modified Boeing 737-330 designed as a testbed aircraft for Lockheed Martin. The ICAO-designated callsign CATBird refers to the Cooperative Avionics Test Bed.
The rather strange-looking Boeing 737-300 was modified as an avionics testbed for the F-35 Lightning II. The aircraft performed its first flight on January 23, 2007. The distinctive front appearance resembles the F-35's nose and a pair of small canards installed just aft of the forward entrance doors.
Inside, the aircraft has racks holding the F-35's avionics and flight deck. From German passenger aircraft to American fighter jet testbed Role : Testbed Manufacturer : Boeing Commercial Airplanes Aircraft : Ex-Lufthansa passenger aircraft First flight : January 23, 2007 Status : Systems test aircraft Developed from : Boeing 737-330 While this special aircraft would take flight in its modified form in 2007, its story would originate back to November 1986. At this point, the aircraft was delivered to German carrier Lufthansa to begin commer.