An F-35 fighter jet is seen with open weapons bays during a flight over Eielson AFB, Alaska, in August 2020. The F-35 is being reworked for interoperability with European weapons. (US Air Force/Capt. Kip Sumner)

Lockheed Martin Is Outfitting the F-35 Fighter Jet with European Weapons

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The addition of British and Italian munitions to the F-35 will make it more interoperable with other NATO air forces—and could increase sales as well.

The most advanced fighter jet in the US military and NATO will soon be able to carry additional weapon systems. 

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $74.2 million contract modification to allow F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to carry a variety of new British and Italian weapon systems—intended to make the jets more easily adaptable into the air forces of America’s European allies.

The F-35 Is Getting New Weapons

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will work to integrate British and Italian weapon systems into the F-35A and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets as part of the Block 4 upgrade currently under development.

Although........

© The National Interest