First strike: Flight International JSF special

First strike: Getting a next-generation global fighter ready to fly
Lockheed Martin's F-35 takes major steps forward this year. In the articles below we look at what it takes to design, build, and test a next-generation fighter.

The Joint Strike Fighter was devised as the ultimate fighter – a multi-role aircraft which, in its various guises, would meet the needs of several services and with production shared across the industries of a host of participating customer nations. Although there have been a number of hitches, this year sees a major advance for the Lockheed Martin-led programme. Our journalists have been assessing the JSF’s progress in a special report. We look at the manufacturing processes and assembly techniques, what lessons will be learned from the testing schedule, and the part that international partners will play in building and supporting more than 3,000 aircraft.
JSF BEGINS TO ACCELERATE	PICTURES: JSF FIRST FLIGHT
FUTURE FIGHTER Lockheed Martin's F-35 takes major steps forward this year. This main feature looks at what it takes to design, build and test and next-generation fighter. OPTION 9 TURNS REPLAN TO ADVANTAGE The redesign and replan that stretched the JSF system development and demonstration also changed the build sequence.	MOVING ON UP Advanced composite/metallic manufacturing and automotive moving-line assembly techniques are needed to build a next generation fighter affordably
TIME FOR TESTING Ground laboratories and flying testbeds will play a key role in ensuring the F-35 is ready for productive flight testing at sites across the USA	THE MATING GAME Redesigning the F-35 to 0significantly remove weight changed how the aircraft goes together. The biggest change affects the mating of wing to fuselage
	THREADED TOGETHER Although a one-off, aircraft AA-1 has validated what the JSF team calls the "digital thread" - the electronic design database that runs from engineering through to manufacturing, and beyond. Constantly updated, this database of Catia three-dimensional solid models defining the F-35 stitches together the partners and suppliers around the world.
WHO WILL BE BUILDING THE JSF? The coming months will determine whether F-35s roll off theline anywhere other than in Fort Worth, Texas. EUROFIGHTER PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES BOOST BAE SYSTEMS Each of the UK Royal Air Force’s Eurofighters currently spends around 42 weeks on BAE Systems’ Typhoon final assembly line at Warton...	GOING GLOBAL At full rate, production of the F-35 will draw on the manufacturing resources of not only the USA and UK, but the industries of partner nations around the world
To view our diagram of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Variants, click on the image below to enlarge