F-35 program meets goal of 45 aircraft deliveries in 2015

 

Washington – The Department of Defense accepted its 45th F-35 Lightning II aircraft delivery for 2015 meeting the program production goal for the year. 

 

The 45th jet was AF-84, a delivery for the U.S. Air Force. The F-35 program has delivered 154 combat coded jets to six different nations including Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, and the United States since its first delivery in 2011. All but one were delivered from the assembly line at Forth Worth, Texas; the one remaining came from the Cameri, Italy, facility. The 45 aircraft delivered in 2015 represents a 25% increase in production from 36 aircraft in 2014.

 

The F-35s are located at 10 different bases in the U.S. and have flown more than 45,000 hours and 16,000 sorties. 

 

“Meeting aircraft production goals is a critical stepping stone in demonstrating the program is ready for the expected significant production ramp up,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer. “It took thousands of people around the world to achieve this milestone and they should all be proud of what they accomplished.”

 

The 45 F-35 deliveries in 2015 include: 

 

The 45 F-35 Lightning II aircraft are assigned to the following installations:

 

“Delivering the most F-35s in program history is a clear demonstration of our growing maturity and stability,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Program General Manager. “Congratulations to the entire government and industry team for their work to deliver 45 aircraft.”

 

The F-35 Lightning II, a fifth generation fighter, is designed to replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.