While other international JSF partners signed the production phase MoU for the F-35, the Norwegian approvals to continue their involvement seem to slip into 2007, while it considers rival bids like the Gripen N.

Northrop Grumman reported yesterday that the first center fuselage section for the Marine Corps variant of the F-35 joint strike fighter has been completed and that work began on the assembly of the first fuselage for the Navy.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II lifted into the skies today for the first time, completing a successful inaugural flight and initiating the most comprehensive flight test program in military aviation history.

Turkey has approved a production agreement for the U.S.-led multinational effort to develop the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, following the lead of the Netherlands, Canada, Britain and Australia.

The first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II successfully completed all ground taxi tests today, among some of the last activities clearing the way for its inaugural flight.

Following the Netherlands, Britain, Australia, and Canada have now also signed an agreement committing to the next development and production phase of the U.S.-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project.

The F-35 Lightning II moved under its own power for the first time on Thursday afternoon, initiating the last series of tests before the fighter jet's first flight.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is set to make its maiden test flight next week at Lockheed Martins Fort Worth, Texas, test site according to BGen David R. Heinz, deputy program executive officer of the F-35 Lightning II Program.

The engine being developed for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet has passed major milestone in the form of a successful Preliminary Design Review.

According to the Copenhagen Post the Social Democrats believe that purchasing helicopters instead of costly fighter jets to replace F-16s would be a better decision both economically and militarily.

The Netherlands yesterday became the first of the F-35 partner nations to extend its participation into the production and support phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program.

EDO has received a contract from Lockheed Martin for the fabrication of advanced-composite structures for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program.

Danish defense company Terma and Lockheed Martin have entered into a contract worth USD 6.5 million for the design, development, integration, testing, and production of seven test pods for the F-35 Lightning II.

Volvo Aero Norway has signed an agreement with General Electric to produce two key components for the F136 engine in the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft. The agreement covers the development phase and that Volvo Aero Norway will be the exclusive supplier of these components.

According to Janes news, Six additional countries consider joining the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President and JSF General Manager Tom Burbage said the six nations were "NATO countries or US allies" but would not disclose which countries they were.