Northrop Grumman has reached a new industrial milestone in the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter program by completing the delivery of its 1,500th center fuselage, manufactured at the Integrated Assembly Line (IAL) located in Palmdale, California. The achievement was announced on January 12, 2026, and reflects the high level of automation and maturity attained in the company’s advanced manufacturing processes.
According to the company, the IAL enables the production of one center fuselage every 30 hours, integrating all three variants of the fifth-generation stealth fighter on a single assembly line: the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C. This industrial approach seeks to optimize timelines, costs, and standardization within one of the most complex aerospace programs worldwide.
Advanced manufacturing and reduced production times
The use of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies on the production line has made it possible to reduce center fuselage assembly time by 35 percent, while also shortening the learning curve of the technicians involved in the process by 20 percent. These improvements are part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing efficiency and delivery predictability.
Northrop Grumman’s role is critical to the F-35 Lightning II production process, as it is not only focused on manufacturing but also on the development of all three variants of the aircraft. Its responsibilities include the production of the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, the integrated communications, navigation, and identification (CNI) system, wing skins, and leadership in low-observable technologies. In addition, the company provides logistics and sustainment support to F-35 operators both in the United States and in allied countries.
F-35 program context at the close of 2025
Northrop Grumman’s industrial progress comes amid sustained growth of the F-35 program. Lockheed Martin, the system’s prime contractor, closed 2025 with a record delivery of 191 aircraft, far surpassing the previous annual high of 142 units. Annual F-35 production is currently proceeding at a rate five times higher than that of any other allied fighter aircraft in manufacture.
During 2025, the global F-35 fleet surpassed one million accumulated flight hours, while deliveries of the Tech Refresh 3 (TR-3) software package were completed and a fleet of nearly 1,300 aircraft in service was sustained. In parallel, the aircraft was employed in various real-world operations, including suppression of enemy air defenses missions, incident-free operational deployments, and air defense tasks in allied airspace.
In this regard, Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II program, stated: “I am immensely proud of the F-35 enterprise for meeting our production commitments, performing with excellence, and expanding our global partnerships in 2025.”
The milestone achieved by Northrop Grumman reinforces the strength of the F-35 industrial base and its ability to sustain the planned increase in production rates in the coming years.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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