22 Nov 2011

Lockheed Martin completed assembly of the first international F-35 Lightning II. The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence will use the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jet, known as BK-1, for training and operational tests.

BK-1 was rolled out of the factory on Sunday evening. The aircraft will undergo functional fuel system checks before being transported to the flight line for ground and flight tests in the coming months. The jet is scheduled to be delivered in 2012.