Lockheed Martin has shipped the first fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Denmark, but deliveries of the new aircraft will not continue until a year later

Lockheed Martin shipped the first batch of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Denmark this week. The aircraft landed in Portugal and will arrive at their destination today.

Here's What We Know

Lockheed Martin shipped four fighters with serial numbers L-007 (FMS 20-5647), L-008 (FMS 20-5648), L-009 (FMS 20-5649) and L-010 (FMS 20-5650). They were escorted by a KC-10A 86-0032 aerial refueller from Travis Air Force Base.

On 12 September, the F-35 Lightning IIs landed at Lajes Field in the Azores, Portugal. Already today they will arrive at Skrydstrup base of the Royal Danish Air Force. The fifth-generation fighters will form the new 727 Squadron (Eskadrille 727).

Lockheed Martin has built seven aircraft for Denmark. Some of them remain in the U.S. and are used for pilot training. Deliveries of the new F-35 Lightning IIs were scheduled for early 2024, but have been delayed until late next year due to problems with the Technology Refresh 3 software.

The Scandinavian country ordered a total of 27 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing fighters in the summer of 2016. The deal was worth $3bn. Deliveries of the planes were supposed to be completed by 2026, but it's unclear how the delay will affect the schedule.

Source: Scramble