Rheinmetall will play a central role in fuselage production for F-35 - Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman sign contract with German concern

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have found a new partner for the F-35 programme. Germany's Rheinmetall will produce the centre fuselage for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter.

Here's What We Know

The agreement between Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Rheinmetall expands the role of European industry in the F-35 programme. The partnership will establish a second assembly line in Europe for the aircraft's central fuselage section.

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are the main companies that make the hulls for the F-35. The latter additionally manufactures the wing skins and supplies sensor systems, avionics and software.

Nearly 900 fifth-generation F-35 Lighting II fighters are in service today, and some 1,900 pilots have been able to undergo training. The aircraft are maintained by 13,570 technicians. Lockheed Martin recently began assembling its 1,000th aircraft.

Source: EDR Magazine