1,000th F-35 Lightning fuselage delivered

A major milestone in the global F-35 programme has been reached, with BAE Systems delivering the 1,000th rear fuselage to Lockheed Martin.

While DE&S’ Lightning delivery team is responsible for procuring and developing the UK’s fleet of F-35 aircraft, the UK defence industry is reaping the wider benefits of playing a key role in the world’s largest defence programme. Lockheed Martin are producing more than 3,000 F-35 Lightning aircraft for the programme’s 17 customers. Thirty UK

F-35B aircraft have been delivered to date.

More than 1,500 employees at BAE Systems’ facilities in Samlesbury, Lancashire, produce the rear fuselage for every F-35 in the global fleet, including aircraft destined for the UK.

Air Commodore Phil Brooker, Head of the DE&S Lightning delivery team, said: “Delivering the ambitious F-35 programme is a collective endeavour and I am thrilled to see BAE Systems reaching this significant milestone. UK industry are providing approximately 15 percent by