In the United States, the first F-35A Lightning II fighter-bomber appointed by Lockheed Martin on behalf of Finland has completed its inaugural flight.
Following factory testing, the Finnish aircraft will be transferred to Ebbing Air Base where it will be used to train pilots and technicians from the Helsinki Air Force.
Finland has ordered Lockheed Martin to supply 64 F-35A fighter-bombers that will replace an equal number of F/A-18 Hornet MLUs that have reached the end of their operational life.
The delivery of these aircraft will be carried out by Lockheed Martin from this year until 2030.
Finland actively participates in both the national and international program, as a supplier of components and part of the fuselage; in this sense, Patria Aviation Oy (Patria Group) will produce 400 front fuselage sections for Lockheed Martin.
On a national level, Finland has obtained from the United States the opportunity to arrange the F135 engines of Pratt & Whitney (Collins RTX) for its 64 samples, and will also take care of the maintenance that could be extended to any allied countries users of the aircraft, if they make a proper request.
Source and photo credit @Lockheed Martin
