Italy receives first F-35B assembled outside the US

ROME — Italy has received the first F-35B fighter jet to be assembled outside the U.S., which is destined to fly with the Italian Navy.

The Italian Ministry of Defense took delivery of the aircraft Thursday at Cameri Air Base, northern Italy, where the country operates an F-35 final assembly line.

The line, which is operated by Italy’s Leonardo and the American firm Lockheed Martin and employs 800, will turn out 60 F-35A and 30 F-35B aircraft, which Italy currently plans to order.

In a statement, Lockheed said that to date, nine F-35As and one F-35B have been delivered by Cameri, which is the only F-35B assembly line outside the U.S.

RELATED

Italy's audit court gives F-35 cautious approval

Italy’s audit court has given measured approval to the F-35 program, claiming in a detailed new report that Italy needs to be on board despite price hikes, delays and the country’s currently low workshare.

By Tom Kington

Four of the F-35As are being used for international pilot training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, while five are operational at Italy’s Amendola Air Base in southern Italy.

The F-35B was first rolled out at Cameri last May and was due for delivery in November 2017, making it two months late.

Last May, Lockheed said the aircraft would fly to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, for “Electromagnetic Environmental Effects certification.” It was expected to then join pilot training in the U.S.

More In Air Warfare

New US Space Force jammers aim to disrupt China’s SATCOM signals

The Remote Modular Terminals, which disrupt adversary satellites by "yelling in their ear," as one official put it, are cleared for initial fielding,

Space Force must grow to counter China and Russia, lawmaker says

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said the service is not sized to meet increasing threats from China and Russia.

SpaceX launches rapid response GPS mission

The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to demonstrate the ability to quickly plan and launch a mission in around six months.

Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations

The updated strategy, approved in November, focuses on SPACECOM’s core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas.

ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor

The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to tow satellites or for counterspace missions, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters.