Image: Crown

BAE Systems has delivered the 1,000th rear fuselage to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 -the most advanced and capable fifth generation fighter.

More than 1,500 employees at the Company’s facilities in Samlesbury, Lancashire, produce the rear fuselage for every F-35 in the global fleet. The first fuselage was delivered to Lockheed Martin in 2005.

Cliff Robson, group managing director, BAE Systems’ Air Sector, said: “This is a significant moment for everyone involved in the programme and a testament to the highly-skilled workforce we have in the North West of England.

“Our role on the F-35 programme is another example of how we make a substantial contribution to the local and national UK economy and help to deliver capability which is critical for national security.”

Powering economic growth

Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 programme, said: “The F-35 programme powers economic growth and prosperity for the UK injecting approximately £41billion* into the UK economy and supporting more than 20,000 jobs in the UK supply chain, many of those based in the North West.

“With more than 500 companies in our UK supply chain, we’re proud of the role that our partnership with BAE Systems has in delivering the world’s most advanced aircraft for the UK and 17 other allied nations.”

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