HE NEW F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is transforming from a "paper" airplane into a "real" airplane. The shift got underway in November, when the fighter subcontractors began fabricating the first actual airframe components. This is always a tense time for a big procurement program, but F-35 officials are confident that they will keep development turbulence at a minimum. The changeover has not been without its rough spots, however. What had been a nearly problem-free program began to experience some difficulties. The F-35 for years had seen little or no cost, schedule, or design problems, but, in recent months, it has seen some of each- for example, unanticipated weight growth. The Air Force and prime contractor Lockheed Martin are not exactly novices at handling fighter growing pains. They have the recent experience of bringing in the F/A-22 Raptor, a highly complex aircraft. Lessons derived from the Raptor's past difficulties with avionics and aerodynamics will be applied to the new strike fighter, enabling program officials to head off many problems before they occur.
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