Lockheed Martin Open to Continued Cooperation with Japanese Industry for the F-35 Program

After the successful unveiling of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ first Japanese-assembled F-35A on June 5th,  Lockheed Martin has stated that it is open to further cooperation and expansion with Japanese industry for producing more F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in Japan, IHS Janes reported.

MHI constructed the F-35A primarily with imported parts and was put together at MHI’s F-35 Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility in Nagoya, Japan.

Although Japan faced difficulties in securing MHI production involvement in the F-35 program, MHI has confirmed that it will not be manufacturing components for the F-35.

The aircraft completed on June 5th is the first of 38 F-35As that will roll out of the FACO facility as part of a 42-unit order from the Japanese government.