First production F-35 fuselage delivered

Northrop Grumman has delivered to Lockheed Martin the center fuselage for the first production F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, designated AF-6, a conventional takeoff and landing variant for the Air Force. Northrop, a partner of Lockheed Martin on the F-35 program, designs and produces the center fuselages for all three F-35 variants – conventional, short-takeoff and carrier-compatible. (Source: Globe Newswire, 04/30/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., will be home of the JSF training center.