"The Lightning II is a sophisticated machine and the program is extraordinarily complex, but the absolute commitment demonstrated by our international team is driving success after success, from the aircraft's first flight last December to the phenomenal accuracy and quality shown in the manufacturing process," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 program integration.

"We're proud that these and other remarkable achievements are the result of a global effort from our friends all over the world."

The first F-35, a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, has completed 19 test flights to date and has shown unusually high reliability for a first-article aircraft. The second F-35, a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version, is on schedule for completion later this year and flight testing in 2008.

Assembly quality of the first two aircraft already is surpassing that of fighters whose production processes are mature. Critical Design Review (CDR) for the carrier variant, designed for the catapult launches and arrested landings of a large aircraft carrier, is under way. CDRs for the CTOL and STOVL variants were completed successfully in 2006 and underscored the F-35's design maturity.

Software development, historically a challenge on highly complex aircraft like the Lightning II, remains on track six years into the F-35's System Development and Demonstration phase.

In late 2006 and early 2007, all of the F-35 partner nations signed an agreement to extend their participation into the program's Production, Sustainment and Follow-On Development phase. Those countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway. Each country is involved in the design and production of the F-35.

Funding for the first two production-model Lightning IIs is approved, parts fabrication for these aircraft is under way and component assembly will begin later in 2007.

The pair of F-35A aircraft are the first of 1,763 scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Air Force, beginning in 2010. The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy together are planning to operate 680 F-35Bs and F-35Cs, and the United Kingdom plans to place 138 F-35Bs into service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The remaining F-35 participant countries plan to acquire from 600 to 700 aircraft, and further international sales are expected to create a demand for hundreds more Lightning IIs.

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 Lightning II with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt and Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

earlier related report
Lockheed Martin Unveils F-35 Exhibit As Symbol Of Global Cooperation, Partnerships
Paris, France (SPX) Jun 20 - Lockheed Martin, along with artists representing the nine F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter countries, unveiled nine original works of art at the Paris Air Show today depicting the F-35 Lightning II aircraft in settings around the globe.

"Artistry In The Skies: F-35 Lightning II on Exhibit" captures the F-35 in some of the world's most notable and culturally important destinations in each of the Joint Strike Fighter program's participant countries.

"Imagine the unique partnership this incredible program brings together, both militarily and industrially, across nine sovereign nations stretching from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, across the Balkans, through the Americas and into the Southern Pacific," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 program integration..

"This exhibit depicts the F-35 in each of the Joint Strike Fighter program partner countries and launches an international effort to highlight the great benefits of global partnership, technological innovation and design and the unique blending of cultures and requirements that has created this benchmark for true global cooperation."

Artists from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway joined Burbage and F-35 Program Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Charles R. Davis for the unveiling of this exhibit of paintings of the F-35 Lightning II shown amidst their own country's landmarks and landscapes.

"The exhibit symbolizes the multi-national dimension of the program including the current partner countries and all those who will fly the aircraft in the future," said Burbage.

Along with the F-22, the stealthy and supersonic Lightning II is one of two 5th generation fighters in the world. The first F-35 is undergoing airborne testing and has completed 19 flights to date. Eleven additional Lightning II test aircraft currently are in production.

Lockheed Martin is developing the Lightning II with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt and Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Related Links
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
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