The first F-35 for the British

The Lockheed Martin plant was completed a few days ago, assembling the first prototype F-35 fighter version of a short take-off and vertical landing for the Royal Navy.

British Lightning II during the boring of the assembly hall / Photo: Lockheed Martin

The plane, identified as AB-1, brought on the shop floor on November 20. Work on its construction began almost exactly two years ago . It is also the first Lightning II for a foreign audience.

BK-1 has already begun a series of ground tests. After the flight tests, will be forwarded to the recipient in the next year. The British will use it to train pilots and maintenance, and testing, which should lead to scratching tactics to use new aircraft.

The question of the reception following the F-35B is not a foregone conclusion. Due to the reduction in military spending, the British military authorities announced a reduction in the number of ordered Lightningów II and dispensing with complicated and expensive version of the fighter, in favor of simpler, on-board option C, which in the classical manner startowałby and landed on board the new aircraft type Qeen Elizabeth . Whatever the final decision, however, Lockheed Martin must meet with the previously concluded agreements, contracted for the supply of three prototypes.

There is also the inevitable question of supply 340 series machines for aviation U.S. Marine Corps and Navy of Italy. F-35B version of the plague because serious technical problems that call into question the assumed maintenance of the estimate and schedule of the project. This in turn causes the Pentagon takes into account the ability to opt out of STOVL variants, making a decision on the results of subsequent inspections venture.