Nichols Martin
A team composed of Lockheed Martin and Leonardo has delivered a short take-off/vertical landing variant of the F-35 fighter aircraft to Italy’s defense ministry.
The ministry received the first F-35B produced outside the U.S. and assigned the STOVL jet to the Italian navy at a final assembly and check out facility in Cameri, Lockheed said Thursday.
Italy-based Leonardo and Lockheed jointly operate the FACO hub that employs 800 skilled personnel.
The Cameri FACO has delivered nine F-35AÂ conventional takeoff and landing aircraft to date and four of the jets are based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona while the remaining five at Amendola Air Base in Italy.
Lockheed noted the facility will also produce 29 F-35As for the Dutch air force.
