Why there was an F-35 fighter jet on a semi truck in Wichita

Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research has a new research project, and it’s a fighter jet.

NIAR accepted delivery of a Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter ground test article this week. It was brought to town on the trailer of a semi-truck.

NIAR said in a statement that it will fully disassemble the test article this week for inspection after it underwent extensive testing at Lockheed in Fort Worth, Texas. The testing at Lockheed was to prove the F-35 airframe’s structural integrity following simulated maneuvers the aircraft will undergo in its lifetime.

“The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced fighter jet in the world and we’re proud to play a key role in validating its performance and ensuring its success,” NIAR said in the statement.

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Why there was an F-35 fighter jet on a semi truck in Wichita."