Lockheed Martin begins assembly of first F-35A fifth-generation fighter jet for Polish Air Force as part of $4.6bn contract

US company Lockheed Martin has started assembling the first F-35A fighter jet for the Polish Air Force. The manufacturer's plant in Georgia was visited by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Here's What We Know

The Polish Prime Minister was able to see the F-35A Lightning II fuselage centre wing assembly at the plant in Georgia. The aircraft will go to the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, to have the wings installed.

Poland has ordered 32 F-35A Block 4-level fifth-generation fighters in early 2020. The $4.6 billion contract includes training for pilots and ground personnel. Deliveries of the planes will start in 2024 and continue until 2030. The first six F-35A fighters will remain in the U.S. for training purposes.

The key innovation of the Block 4-level upgrade will be upgraded electronic warfare capabilities. These will be based on an upgrade called Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3), which will improve the F-35 Lightning II's computing electronics.

Source: Lockheed Martin