BETHESDA, MARYLAND— Lockheed Martin has started major assembly of the first Swiss F-35A aircraft at its Center Wing Assembly (CWA) line in Marietta, Georgia. The milestone follows the recent launch of Swiss F-35 component production.
The program will deliver the first eight Swiss F-35s to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, by mid-2027 for pilot training. Additional aircraft will reach Switzerland in 2028.
Switzerland’s 1st F-35 Fighter Enters Production
The Center Wing Assembly represents the largest single component of the F-35, accounting for nearly 25% of the aircraft’s fuselage. It also serves as the structural location for wing installation.
Engineers at the Marietta facility have fastened multiple bulkheads together to form the CWA for Switzerland’s first jet. Over the next year, the aircraft will continue through the manufacturing and assembly stages.
The F-35 production rate currently exceeds five times that of any other allied fighter in production, supported by a global supply chain of more than 2,100 suppliers.
Delivery Timeline and Training Plans
The first eight Swiss F-35s will arrive at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas in mid-2027.
Swiss pilots will complete their training there before the subsequent aircraft transition to Switzerland in 2028. This phased approach ensures readiness for Swiss operations while strengthening interoperability with allied nations.
Industrial Partnerships and Economic Benefits for Switzerland
The F-35 program will generate Swiss industrial activity for the next 50 to 60 years. Lockheed Martin meets its offset commitments by partnering with the Swiss industry on research, development, production, and sustainment activities.
The Pilatus technology transfer project, announced in March 2025, represents one example of this collaboration. Pilatus is working with Lockheed Martin to develop a next-generation pilot training system tailored for fifth-generation fighter operators.
Swiss engineers from Pilatus have also worked alongside Lockheed Martin teams in F-35 Cockpit Demonstration System workshops.
Strategic Capabilities of the F-35A
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant used by the United States Air Force and most international customers. It combines stealth design, sensor fusion, and data-sharing capabilities to deliver air dominance.
Key technical specifications include a length of 51.4 feet, a wingspan of 35 feet, and a maximum weight in the 70,000-pound class.
The aircraft achieves a top speed of Mach 1.6 and carries a weapons payload of 18,000 pounds. Its combat radius exceeds 590 nautical miles on internal fuel using a standard USAF profile, with a total range above 1,200 nautical miles.
The standard internal weapons load includes a 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon, two AIM-120C/D air-to-air missiles, and two 2,000-pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs. The F135-PW-100 engine produces 40,000 pounds of maximum thrust.
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Strengthening Swiss Sovereignty and Allied Cooperation
The F-35 will act as a force multiplier for Switzerland by providing advanced stealth, enhanced sensing, and secure data-sharing capabilities. These features support Swiss national defense while enabling smooth cooperation with allied air forces.
Switzerland joins a growing global community of F-35 operators that now includes 20 nations. The program supports allied deterrence through shared technology, common training standards, and interoperable mission systems.
Sustainment and Long-Term Readiness
Lockheed Martin operates 24/7 sustainment centers that work directly with F-35 customers worldwide. Sustainment engineers partner with operators to maintain mission readiness and solve operational challenges as they arise.
This support model ensures that Swiss F-35s remain available and effective throughout their service life.
F-35 FAQs
The first Swiss F-35A is undergoing major assembly at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Center Wing Assembly line in Marietta, Georgia.
The CWA is the largest single component of the F-35, making up about 25% of the aircraft’s fuselage. It also serves as the location for wing installation.
The first eight Swiss F-35s will be delivered to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in mid-2027 for pilot training. Additional aircraft will arrive in Switzerland in 2028.
The F-35 program creates jobs in Switzerland for the next 50 to 60 years. Lockheed Martin partners with Swiss companies on research, development, production, and sustainment activities to meet offset commitments.
Announced in March 2025, this project involves Pilatus and Lockheed Martin collaborating to develop a next-generation pilot training system designed for fifth-generation fighter operators.
Switzerland is acquiring the F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing variant used by the United States Air Force and most international customers.
The F-35A reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.6, approximately 1,200 miles per hour, with a full internal weapons load.
The F-35 is operated by 20 allied nations worldwide, with more partners expected to join the program.
No. Allied nations operate their F-35s independently with full sovereign control, including integration of national weapons systems and execution of missions without U.S. oversight.
F-35 production currently exceeds five times the rate of any other allied fighter in production, with an expected annual rate of 156 aircraft supported by more than 2,100 global suppliers.
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