BAE Systems has cut metal on its first component for the F-35 Lightning II production aircraft. This opening cut, on a component part of the aft fuselage, signifies a major milestone for the F-35 Lightning II programme. The metal cut is for the first production F-35 Lightning II aircraft which will enter into service with the US Air Force (USAF) in 2010 and follows the production contract announcement made in December last year.
The contract – a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract – is worth pound25m to BAE Systems and will see the production of two conventional take off and landing variants.
The component was cut by BAE Systems' supplier Hyde, at their Manchester factory. The component will move to BAE Systems' Samlesbury site in Lancashire for further manufacturing work before all parts are assembled together before being shipped to programme partner, Lockheed Martin's site in Texas for final assembly.
Tom Fillingham, F-35 Lightning II Managing Director said: "This is a proud and important moment for BAE Systems. We are progressing well through the development stage of the F-35 Lightning II programme and now, concurrently with development aircraft manufacture, we are producing the first production aircraft. This is a clear signal of how mature the product is at this early stage of its life."
