The F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is one of the most advanced and complicated aircraft ever produced. While Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, a much larger network of contractors actually produces the aircraft's various components. Many of the components for the F-35 are produced by US allies around the world .
Here are some of the top subcontractors and significant contributors. 1 Northrop Grumman Status: Principal Partner Contribution: Avionics, center fuselage, upper wing skins, sustainment services, development Note: One of leading stealth designers Northrop Grumman is one of the two main subtractors for the program (the other being BAE Systems). It produces the B-2 Spirit and the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider strategic bombers.
Plus it was an early competitor for the F-35 program (in the end, only Lockheed and Boeing produced prototypes). Northop produces the F-35's center fuselage, upper wing skins and covers, AN/APG-81 AESA radar, and communications subsystems and provides sustainment services. Northrop Grumman states, " Northrop Grumman leads physical design activities for the internal weapons bays and collaborates with Lockheed Martin on functional design activities.
" The United States goes to great lengths to protect its allies and the technology in its prized F-35 fighter jets. 2 BAE Systems BAE Systems produces 13-15% of the F-35 Status: Principal Partner Contribution: Rear fuselage, tail, avionics, computer code Location: Mostly United Kingdom BAE is the l.