Lockheed Martin starts production of Denmark’s first F-35 aircraft.

The first F35 for the Royal Danish Air Force has entered production, at its plant located in Fort Worth, Texas, US.

F-35 Lightning II (Picture source: US Air Force)

Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements of the F-35. In October 2008, they delivered a Danish F-16 to the JSF 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB as part of the RDAF’s partnership with the F35 program and the F-16 served as a chase plane for the F-35 Development, Test & Evaluation program through Dec. 2016. In June 2016, Denmark confirmed plans to procure 27 F-35As.

Denmark continues to benefit from being a partner on the program as additional foreign military sales countries join the program, furthering Denmark’s export opportunities in the future. Danish companies are participating in a truly international, highly innovative “next generation” program, which will endure for more than 40 years. The involvement of Danish companies will not be just in the construction of the aircraft, but in sustainment for the entire lifecycle of the program.

Danish Industry is already involved with F-35 production and development in Denmark. Several Danish companies such as Terma and Multicut have been awarded work and are making parts such as pylons, advanced composites, machine parts, radar components and horizontal tail edges, on every single F-35.

Lockheed Martin and the Danish Armed Forces have enjoyed a successful partnership since the early 1950s, with the T-33 Shooting Star, F-104 Starfighter, C-130 Hercules and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Denmark is an essential partner in F-35 production, development and sustainment activities and today, is building parts and components for the projected 3,100+ aircraft to be manufactured

Eight Lockheed Martin interns from Denmark got a first-hand look at the aircraft (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)