Norway's first F-35 is lifted by an overhead crane in Lockheed Martin's assembly plant in Fort Worth in April 2015. LOCKHEED MARTIN
Defense One: F-35 Production Set to Quadruple As Massive Factory Retools
After years of delays, the Joint Strike Fighter program is finally ready to hit the afterburner.
FORT WORTH, Texas — As green-skinned, half-assembled F-35 Joint Strike Fighters take shape, this massive factory that once cranked out thousands of World War II bombers is preparing to get real busy again.
F-35 production is slated to hit full steam in 2019, and Lockheed Martin is reshaping its final assembly line to get ready. Not far from the nine assembly stations where the stealthy jets are coming together, wooden walls and plastic sheeting rise dozens of feet to the ceiling, blocking off large portions of the plant where new laser-leveled concrete is being poured. Lowered air pressure behind the screens helps keep dust and debris away from the sensitive airframes. Elsewhere, scaffolding is being erected for seven new assembly stations to come.
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More News On The F-35
F-35 production rate will quadruple by 2019 -- Next Big Future
Did Lockheed Martin's F-35 Stealth Fighter Just Get Cheaper? -- The Motley Fool
Lockheed Martin Gets $1.3 Billion For F-35 Plus-Ups -- Defense News
Air Force test pilot shares if the F-35 or A-10 is better for close air support -- Business Insider
Israel's 'Custom' F-35 Stealth Fighter: A Lethal, High-Tech Wonder Weapon? -- National Interest
Israel starts weapons testing for F-35 Adir -- Flight Global
Maariv: US pledges not to sell F-35 fighter jets to Arab countries -- Middle East Monitor
Canadian bureaucrats gave Liberals different view on F-35 jets immediately after election -- Toronto Star
The RAF and Royal Navy Prepare for the F-35 (Video) -- Second Line of Defense
Could MV-22 Ospreys Really Refuel the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter? -- National Interest
Testimony on the F-35 was all over the place -- Business Insider
USMC Air still living the F-35 lie -- Eric Palmer Blog
A-10 set to be tested against the F-35 in Close Air Support, Search & Rescue...other battlefield tasks.. -- SNAFU!
The F-35 And 21st Century Defence: Shaping A Way Ahead -- Second Line of Defense