BAE has begun manufacturing work on the first F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The first F-35 frame has been fitted into the assembly jig at its site in Samlesbury, Lancashire, UK, where the aft fuselage will be assembled by mid 2010.

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The company is using the latest digital design and precision manufacturing technologies to design, engineer and manufacture the aft fuselage and empennage (vertical and horizontal tails) for each F-35.

BAE’s structural and dynamic test facility at Brough, Yorkshire, will take the lead on static and fatigue testing for the F-35 programme.

BAE Systems is working jointly with prime contractor Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to deliver the F-35 Lightning II, the world’s largest defence programme.

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A fifth-generation fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, combines advanced stealth, fighter speed, agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs.

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The UK MoD will undertake testing and training of the three F-35 aircraft, before its operational service begins.