While much has been written about the funding jitters of the coalition partner countries involved in the Joint Strike Fighter, BAE officials tell us that the first Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing F-35 components are being produced at the company’s Samlesbury, U.K. facility. Components of the aft fuselage and empennage are being designed and built across the pond and will be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas facility for assembly over the next 12 months, according to JSF Deputy Systems Manager for BAE Tom Fillingham. The STOVL variant of the aircraft will replace the Harriers currently used by the Royal Air Force and Navy, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps.
Air Force Basic Military Training leaders say changes implemented as part of BMT 2.0 are generating positive results so far—especially when it comes to creating “airminded” new Airmen.
