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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| First flight for future fighter | First flight for future fighter |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The world's most expensive military project, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, is expected to take to the skies for its maiden test flight next week. | The world's most expensive military project, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, is expected to take to the skies for its maiden test flight next week. |
| The $276.5bn (£140bn) Anglo-American stealth fighter project will supply the armed forces of the US, Britain and several other countries. | The $276.5bn (£140bn) Anglo-American stealth fighter project will supply the armed forces of the US, Britain and several other countries. |
| The US will account for the lion's share of the Lockheed Martin-designed plane, with 2,400 in service by 2027. | The US will account for the lion's share of the Lockheed Martin-designed plane, with 2,400 in service by 2027. |
| Britain's BAE Systems is one of the key players in the aircraft's development. | Britain's BAE Systems is one of the key players in the aircraft's development. |
| BAE has pumped $2bn into the project, with the UK expected to take delivery of 138 fighters. | BAE has pumped $2bn into the project, with the UK expected to take delivery of 138 fighters. |
| Supersonic | Supersonic |
| Marine Brigadier General David Heinz said the maiden test flight of production version of the Joint Strike Fighter would take place in Fort Worth, Texas. Prototypes of the F-35 have already taken to the air. | Marine Brigadier General David Heinz said the maiden test flight of production version of the Joint Strike Fighter would take place in Fort Worth, Texas. Prototypes of the F-35 have already taken to the air. |
| Britain's BAE systems is a key player in the project | Britain's BAE systems is a key player in the project |
| "I am optimistic that we will see the airplane fly as early as Monday," said Brig Gen Heinz, the Pentagon programme office's deputy director. | "I am optimistic that we will see the airplane fly as early as Monday," said Brig Gen Heinz, the Pentagon programme office's deputy director. |
| He said the planned 60-minute test flight of the F-35 would go ahead on the day, weather conditions permitting. | He said the planned 60-minute test flight of the F-35 would go ahead on the day, weather conditions permitting. |
| The single-engine, supersonic fighter, each of which will cost in the region of $45m, is designed to replace the US's aging F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets. | The single-engine, supersonic fighter, each of which will cost in the region of $45m, is designed to replace the US's aging F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets. |
| In Britain, a jump-jet version of the F-35 will be deployed by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. | |
| Along with the US and Britain, the F-35 is being co-financed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. | Along with the US and Britain, the F-35 is being co-financed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. |
| Despite heavy cost overruns, Brig Gen Heinz said he expected all the contributing partners to place orders for the jet, taking combined purchases for the F-35 to 3,100 aircraft. | Despite heavy cost overruns, Brig Gen Heinz said he expected all the contributing partners to place orders for the jet, taking combined purchases for the F-35 to 3,100 aircraft. |
| In August, UK jet engine firm Rolls-Royce won a £1.3bn deal to develop a second engine for the fighter. | In August, UK jet engine firm Rolls-Royce won a £1.3bn deal to develop a second engine for the fighter. |