Japan nearing F-35 assembly

Flightglobal reports that a $30 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin will enable Japan to perform the local assembly of its first two F-35s. In December 2011 Tokyo picked the conventional take-off and landing F-35A for a 42-aircraft requirement. The first four will be delivered from Lockheed's Fort Worth site in Texas, with the remainder to be completed using a final assembly and check-out (FACO) line being established with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagoya. (Source: Flightglobal, 10/21/13) Previous: Contract: Lockheed, $30M; Japan opts for F-35