First Japanese-built F-35 Begins Assembly

WASHINGTON — In a key milestone for the international program, the first Japanese-built F-35 joint strike fighter began its assembly today at a facility in Nagoya, Japan.

The aircraft, known as the AX-5, officially began the "mate" process today when its wings, fuselage and tails joined together for the first time to form the structure, the joint program office said in a Dec. 15 statement.

AX-5 is the first F-35A assembled in Japan and will join the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fleet in 2017.

The first four of Japan's planned 42 planes are in various stages of production at Lockheed Martin's F-35 facility in Forth Worth, Texas. The first, AX-1, is slated for delivery in 2016.

The remaining 38 Japanese aircraft will be assembled and delivered in Japan from the Nagoya factory, according to the statement.

Email:  lseligman@defensenews.com

Twitter: @laraseligman

More In Air Warfare

Space Force missions delayed by rocket woes may not launch this year

Even if ULA's Vulcan rocket is certified in the coming weeks, time is running out to fly the missions before the end of the year, an official said.

Pentagon picks programmers to connect its Replicator drone swarms

The announcement comes a week after the Pentagon revealed several of the drones it plans to buy through Replicator.

Pentagon announces hypersonic testing pact with UK, Australia

The agreement, which falls under AUKUS Pillar II, aims to leverage the three nations’ combined hypersonics funding, facilities and experience.

Notre Dame unveils first-ever hypersonic Mach 10 wind tunnel

A first-of-its-kind test facility unveiled earlier this month at the University of Notre Dame could improve the Pentagon’s hypersonic research.

Space Force targeting more affordable GPS satellites

The program comes amid growing concern from Pentagon and other government leaders about GPS vulnerability.