F-35 meets 2015 production goal

The F-35 joint program office and Lockheed Martin delivered 45 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in 2015, meeting the program's goal for the year, and surpassing last year's deliveries by 25 percent.

The JPO announced the milestone in a press release Monday. The 45 aircraft includes: 29 F-35As, 26 for the U.S. Air Force, two for the Royal Norwegian Air Force and one for the Italian Air Force; eight F-35Bs for the U.S. Marine Corps; and eight F-35Cs for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, F-35 program executive officer, said the delivery rate positions the program well for a production ramp-up.

"Meeting aircraft production goals is a critical stepping stone in demonstrating the program is ready for the expected significant production ramp-up," Bogdan said in the press release. "It took thousands of people around the world to achieve this milestone and they should all be proud of what they accomplished."