American F-35 program officials joined Norwegian defense officials for the rollout of Norway’s first completed F-35A at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility, according to a release. “We all know that the F-35 is not simply another fighter. We know that it is much more,” said Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide. “The F-35 provides us a capability we’ve never had before.” Frank Kendall, the US undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, thanked the people of Norway during the ceremony “for their persistence and their consistent support “ of the program. The plane will now move to Luke AFB, Ariz., while Norway’s training program is established. The country’s second F-35 is due to roll out of the factory this year, and a third will roll out next year, Lockheed said. Norway plans to buy 52 F-35s.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
