Article Posted on : - Aug 12, 2010

Lockheed Martin's F- 35 Lightning II

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA (BNS): A prototype of the center fuselage for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program known as a destructive test article has been delivered.

Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), a major international F-35 Lightning II supplier to Northrop Grumman Corporation, has delivered the prototype of its first major structural element for the jet's center fuselage, which Northrop Grumman produces for F-35 industry team leader Lockheed Martin.

"This delivery is another major step by TAI to demonstrate its commitment to the success of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program," said Muharrem Dortkasli, TAI's president and chief executive officer.

The Turkish company is slated to produce inlet ducts to support both the current production of center fuselages on Northrop Grumman's F-35 assembly line in California and the 400 complete center fuselages that it will be produced in Turkey.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment and lower operational and support costs.