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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Japan
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Japan's first F-35A fighter jet made its maiden flight
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The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet made its maiden flight yesterday August 24, 2016, the JASDF announced today through its Twitter account. This first test flight took place at Lockheed Martin's Fort Woth plant, Texas.
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 First JASDF F-35A fighter jet during its maiden flight at Fort Worth, Texas(Credit: JASDF Twitter account) |
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According to Lockheed Martin, the first four stealth planes earmarked for Japan will roll off a production line in Fort Worth.
In December 2011, Japan picked Lockheed Martin’s new F-35A stealth fighter as its next fighter aircraft, to replace its aging F-4 “Kai” Phantom fleet. Japan plans to equip the country's Air Self-Defense Force with 42 of the jets, 5 of which are already on order. The Japan's F-35 fighters production is involving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will be involved in work on aircraft bodies, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. on mission-related avionics, and IHI Corp. on engines.
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the U.S. Air Force and other air forces. It is the smallest, lightest F-35 version and is the only variant equipped with an internal cannon, the GAU-22/A. |
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