Three bolts of lightning.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BAE Systems has begun manufacture of the Carrier Variant (CV) of the F-35 Lightning II fighter, meaning all three variants are being produced concurrently by the company. Initial manufacture is of the first titanium and aluminium frames of the aft fuselage which, with the empennage for each variant, are being designed, engineered and built by BAE Systems. The CV variant is due for first flight in 2009. BAE Systems currently begins a new aircraft assembly every four weeks--the System Development and Demonstration phase of the programme will see 21 test aircraft built; six for static testing and 15 to undergo flight tests for the US and British forces.