Fighting fit

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With three companies producing various and complex parts for the JSF's system development and demonstration models, never has the need for perfection been greater. Stuart Nathan explains

Assembling the world's most advanced fighter plane was never going to be an easy task. But at

Samlesbury site, it is clear that one of the biggest challenges is ensuring that all the different parts fit together.

BAE is one of the three companies producing parts for the system development and demonstration (SDD) models of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), now officially designated F-35 and to be known as the Lightning II, along with

and

. Samlesbury is producing the aft fuselage and vertical and horizontal tailplanes for all 23 aircraft in the project's SDD phase.

There are three versions of the JSF, all designed for different roles. The conventional take-off and landing (CTOL, designated F-35A) is designed to replace the F-15 and A-10 aircraft. The short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL, F-35B) may take over the role of the Harrier. Although there are substantial differences between these two variants to accommodate the swinging thrust system necessary for vertical landing in the STOVL version, the planes are described as 'common', with many parts identical on each.

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