Australian F-35s progressing

Australia's first two F-35s are progressing down the U.S. production line and approaching the stage where they will start looking like planes rather than a collection of components. David Scott, Lockheed Martin's director of F-35 international customer engagement, said AU-1 and AU-2 were on schedule for delivery in 2014. He said the wings are under construction at the Lockheed Martin plant in Forth Worth, Texas. Forth Worth is also constructing the forward fuselage, while the center and aft fuselages are under construction at separate Northrop Grumman and BAE plants. The first Australian F-35 pilots will likely start training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., later this year. (Source: AAP via The Australian, 04/03/13)