Lockheed Martin unveils first F-35 built for Japan

[TexasTowelie]

With traditional Japanese taiko drums providing a dramatic aural backdrop, Fort Worth-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics on Friday unveiled the first F-35A aircraft built for the Far Eastern ally.

The stealth fighter is the first of 42 planes ordered by Japan to beef up its air defenses and defend the nation from what many believe is a growing military threat in East Asia — particularly North Korea, which has drawn international criticism for its continued development of nuclear technology.

“This is a quantum leap improvement over any other aircraft out there,” Frank Kendall, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, said after the ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s massive manufacturing facility in west Fort Worth. “Anyone thinking about challenging Japan will have to think about dealing with the F-35.”

About 100 dignitaries and visitors from Japan were on hand for the ceremony, including several dozen foreign journalists as well as Japan’s minister of defense, Kenji Wakamiya, and the chief of staff of the country’s Air Self-Defense Force, Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article103740161.html

[malthaussen]

1. What, do we want them to declare war on us again? n/t

[GreydeeThos]

2. The United States has a reputation for building good fighter aircraft

It looks like Lockheed-Martin is going to change that with foreign military sales of this turkey.

[Ford_Prefect]

3. Not to worry. It can't leave the hanger in wet weather, so they'll

never know just how bad it is.

[clarkkentvotes]

4. hmm

I guess it is a win win - for lockheed and Japan - maybe - I wonder with a pilot of equal caliber how an F35 matches up to and F-16 vs and F22 - perhaps they have diff uses - but if not then that would be interesting - anywho I hope noone ever has to use any of them