Boeing

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Philip "Rowdy" Yates, the U.S. government's lead test pilot for the Boeing Joint Strike Fighter program, flies the company's X-32A concept demonstrator Dec. 19 as it refuels for the first time behind a KC-10 tanker. Flying at 20,000 feet and 235 knots, the X-32A maneuvered into the refueling drogue and effortlessly maintained its position below the tanker. Yates said the successful flight validated the handling qualities required for the Navy air refueling task.