Last JSF Delivered in 2014 is the First F-35C Carrier Variant for the U.S. Marine Corp

: Posted On Tuesday, 23 December 2014 12:18

Naval Forces News - USA

Last JSF Delivered in 2014 is the First F-35C Carrier Variant for the U.S. Marine Corp

The Department of Defense accepted its final F-35 Lightning II aircraft delivery for 2014 today meeting the program production goal of 36 aircraft. With the last delivery for this year, the government, Lockheed Martin and industry team has delivered 109 operational aircraft to the U.S. and partner nations since the program's inception. The 36th delivery, known as CF-19, was the first F-35C carrier variant delivered to the Marine Corps.

The 36th F-35 Lightning II delivered in 2014 was CF-19, the U.S. Marine Corp’s first F-35C carrier variant. The jet will be assigned to the U.S. Navy’s VFA-101 “Grim Reapers” Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. After arrival, CF-19 will be used for F-35C pilot training. (Photo Lockheed Martin)

"Meeting U.S. and International aircraft delivery goals is a stepping stone," said Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer. "It's a global undertaking to build and deliver F-35s. Thousands of men and women produced the 300,000 individual parts from 46 U.S. states and 10 other countries to make these stealth fighters, and they should be proud of their accomplishment."

The 36 F-35 deliveries include:
23 F-35A - U.S. Air Force
2 F-35A - Royal Australian Air Force (first two)
4 F-35B - U.S. Marine Corps
7 F-35C - U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps (first carrier variant)

The 36 F-35 Lightning II aircraft are assigned to the following installations:
19 - Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, AZ
14 - Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso, FL
2 - Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C.
1 - Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, AZ

"Delivering the most F-35s in program history is a clear demonstration of our growing stability and ability to ramp up production," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Program General Manager. "Congratulations to the entire government and industry team for their work to deliver 36 aircraft."