Almost Invisible

In Fort Worth, Texas, Lockheed Martin is building one of the world’s first stealth jump jets

- Alistair Charlton

ROLL CALL

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II is arguably the world’s most advanced fighter jet. Built on a mile-long production line in Fort Worth and costing around R1.8 billion apiece, the plane is wrapped in a cutting-edge stealth skin to avoid detection by enemy radar, and uses augmented reality helmets to give pilots an unparalleled view.

Almost 30 years in the making, the F-35 is a trillion dollar global effort with investment from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, the UK and the US. The RAF and Royal Navy have ordered 138 jets to be used on the UK’s two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. So far, 18 have been delivered, with plans for a further 30 by 2025.

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