News Review: First USAF production F-35 Lightning II delivered | ADM June 2011

The US Air Force has taken delivery of the first of a planned 1,763 production-model Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters.

Formal acceptance documents for the jet, known as AF-7, were signed at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 final assembly plant in Fort Worth on May 5. The jet flew to Edwards Air Force Base the following day to begin its flight testing program.

In addition to AF-7, eight more production model F-35s have rolled out and are being prepared for delivery. The last of 13 test aircraft ordered under the SDD phase is in final assembly.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense notified the General Electric/Rolls Royce Fighter Engine Team (FET) and the Congress in April that the F136 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) engine contract has been terminated.

In March the Pentagon directed the F-35 JSF project office to issue an order to the FET to stop work on the F136 development contract pending final resolution of the extra engine’s future in Congressional action on the fiscal 2011 budget.

GE and Rolls-Royce have vowed to continue funding development of the F136 using their own funds but will need ongoing access to Pentagon test facilities and the engines and components already delivered to the customer.