FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceremonies
were held today at the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35 production
facility celebrating the rollout of the first F-35A Lightning II
for the Norwegian Armed Forces. The event marked an important
production milestone for the future of Norway's national defense.
"We all know that the F-35 is not simply another fighter. We
know that it is much more," said Her Excellency Ine Eriksen
Soreide, Norwegian Minister of Defence. "The F-35 provides us a
capability we've never had before. It's by far the most advanced
fighter ever made. Today we are indeed turning the future into
the present. The F-35 represents a new way of thinking, a new way
of operating, which will benefit the entire Norwegian Armed
Forces."
The Honorable Frank Kendall, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, pointed to the
Norway partnership as crucial to
the F-35 program.
"We are here because of the persistence, not just of the design
team and the military, but also of the political leaders who have
been involved... and also, in this case, of the Norwegian people,"
said Kendall. "I want to thank the Norwegian people for their
persistence and their consistent support for this program."
Joining the Minister and Secretary Kendall at the ceremony were
His Excellency Kare R. Aas, Norway
Ambassador; Admiral Haakon
Bruun-Hanssen, Chief of Defence, Norwegian Armed Forces; Lt.
Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program
Executive Officer, and Ms. Marillyn
Hewson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Lockheed Martin Corporation.
The 5th Generation F-35As will transition the Norwegian Armed
Forces into a next generation net-centric fighter force capable of
assuring the nation's territorial integrity and national
security.
"I'm confident the F-35 will provide the strength that is
needed, and is a unique solution for Norway's high north threats," said Hewson. "It
is the only aircraft with adequate range, persistence, sensors and
advanced communications to guarantee surveillance and defense of
the high north against surface and airborne threats. This
capability would not be possible without the unwavering support of
the Norwegian government and the innovative and dependable
contributions of Norwegian industry."
The F-35 Lightning II aircraft provides the Norwegian industry
with high technology work, ensuring the future health,
competitiveness and viability of the defense industry in
Norway. Work on the F-35 program
has provided Norwegian industry with more than $450 million in contracts to date, along with
opportunities for additional work over the life of the
program.
AM-1 and Norway's second jet,
known as AM-2, are scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Norwegian
Air Force later this year, and will be based at Luke Air Force
Base, Arizona, where they will be
used for Norwegian and partner country pilot training.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining
advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor
information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.
Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16
for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18
and AV8-B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of
fighters for at least 10 other countries.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.f35.com.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in
Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed
Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs
approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged
in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
The Corporation's net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150922/269446
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-and-norwegian-armed-forces-celebrate-rollout-of-norways-first-f-35a-300147274.html
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company