First-Ever Italian F-35a ‘Rolls Out’ Of Cameri Production Facility

Italy’s first built F-35A, aircraft AL-1, which will also be the first jet operated by the Italian Air Force, rolled out of the Cameri, Italy, Final Assembly facility, Mar. 12 , marking the first F-35A assembled internationally and the first of eight aircraft currently being assembled. The aircraft, designated as AL-1, will now proceed to additional check-out activities before its anticipated first flight later this year.
Italy will build all Italian F-35A and F-35B aircraft, is programmed to build F-35As for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and retains the capacity to deliver to other European partners in the future. In December 2014, it was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense as the F-35 Lightning II Heavy Airframe Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade facility for the European region. . The first full F-35A wing section was recently completed and will soon be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, F-35 production line for final assembly.
The Italian F-35As and Bs replace the legacy Panavia Tornado, AMX and AV-8B aircraft..
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