First F-35 for the Netherlands Rolls Out

The first F-35 Lightning II for The Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 Lockheed Martin production facility at Fort Worth, Texas, on April 1.

This is the latest step in the production process leading to its eventual assignment to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida later this summer.

Lockheed Martin’s Marietta site handles the F-35 center wing assembly. The center wing is the core of the fighter jet, where the wings attach.

The Netherlands will use the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jet, known as AN-1, for training and operational tests for pilots and maintainers.

AN-1 will undergo functional fuel system checks before being transported to the flight line for ground and flight tests in the coming weeks. The Royal Netherlands Air Force continues to be at the forefront of flight testing and pilot training and remains at the leading edge of advanced 5th Generation fighter technology.