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JSF/F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (Lightning II) is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters to perform ground attack, reconnaissance and air defense missions with stealth capability.
The JSF/F-35 has three main models; the F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the F-35B is a short take off and vertical-landing variant and the F-35C is a carrier-based variant.
Program participants are USA, UK, Italy, The Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Norway and Denmark.
Industries of each participant countries have been contributing to the program. TAI – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. has also undertaken important responsibilities.
One of the most complex structural sections of the aircraft, "F-35A Center Fuselage" is produced by TAI as a second source.
Other work-packages are "F-35 A/B/C Composite Components, F-35A metallic Sub-Assemblies, F-35A Air Inlet Ducts and F-35 A/B/C Air-to-Ground Alternate Mission Equipment Pylon Manufacturing".
Some of the Technological Capabilities gained in the program are as follows;
High Precision Advanced Technology Composite Part Production,
Composite And metal Bonding Techniques By Using High Technology,
Fiber Placement Techniques With Automatic Machining For Sophisticated Structures,
Robotic Controlled Precise Coating And Painting Applications,
High Level Digital Integration Between Design And Production Period,
Robotic Controlled Drilling, Cutting and Integration Processes,
High Standard Quality Applications Required For 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft