Initial Norwegian F-35A Lightning IIs in LRIP Eight

摘要

A down payment of $337 million for the eighth low-rate initial production Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning Ⅱ lot was paid just hours before March 1. The batch covers 35 aircraft, including four F-35Bs for the UK and two F-35As for Norway. By making the payment before March 1 the deal escapes any possible cuts imposed by sequestration, which came into force that day. The two F-35As for Norway are among four approved for procurement by the Norwegian Parliament in 2011. The first pair will be delivered in 2015 and the second in 2016. All four will be based in the United States for training with the Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida.