Lockheed Martin F35 Lightning II

John Collingridge article today in the ST Business section details that 15% of every F35 are built in Britain and that we are gradually ordering more to reach two squadrons by 2025.

It also indicates that the total production run is projected to be in the order of 3000.

F35 web based statement ( www.f35.com/about/variants/f35b )

UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL PARTICIPATION

Built in the United Kingdom, Delivered to the World

As the program’s only Level 1 partner, the United Kingdom has garnered tremendous economic benefits from the F-35.

British industry will build 15 percent of each of the more than 3,000 planned F-35s, generating significant export revenue and GDP growth.

The program is projected to create and support more than 24,000 jobs across every region of the United Kingdom.

The F-35B STOVL operation is made possible through the Rolls-Royce patented shaft-driven LiftFan® propulsion system and an engine that can swivel 90 degrees when in short takeoff/vertical landing mode.

Because of the LiftFan®, the STOVL variant has smaller internal weapon bay and less internal fuel capacity than the F-35A.

It uses the probe and drogue method of aerial refueling.

F-35B aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. Marines and the U.K.

U.S. STOVL aircraft are stationed at the first operational F-35B base, Marine Corps Air StationYuma, Arizona, and Marine Corp Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, where F-35B training is taking place.

The first UK F-35Bs are located at RAF 17 Squadron, Edwards AFB, California,

MOD (?) Sealand to be the Global Repair Hub for F35's ?

ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-chosen-global-f-35-repair-hub/

I found this article fascinating
Quite long but tremendous background information.
F-35 Continues to Stumble.
www.pogo.org/straus/issues/weapons/2017/...nues-to-stumble.html

Some second hand AV8s would be ideal!

Apparently the F35 is also being assembled at the Cameri AFB in Italy. ( ICAO code: LIMN)

Recent Industry Quote: Cameri is the home of the only final assembly plant outside the United States for Lockheed Martin’s F-35B.

A Joint Strike Fighter, a stealthy jet that can take off and land vertically.

Across from the plant’s runway stands another futuristic manufacturing plant using Avio Aero’s 3D-printing factory for making sleek turbine blades for Boeing’s next-generation 777X jets.

Another European ( local content ) contributor.

F-35 in the hover at RIAT 2016 -

Steve