COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The international team developing the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) was rounded out Tuesday when Denmark signed on as part of the consortium.
The deal was sealed with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Copenhagen covering the Production, Sustainment and Follow-On Development phases of the project. Denmark is the ninth and final nation to take part in the project to develop the next-generation multi-mission jet for the United States and its allies.
"Denmark's long history of active partnership with the U.S. and all F-35 partner nations reaches a new pinnacle today as the country signs this MOU," said Brig. Gen. C.R. Davis, the program executive officer for the JSF. This is a really great moment for the entire F-35 Lightning II Team."
Denmark has actually been a part of the JSF program since 1997, according to Lockheed Martin. It joined the SDD (System Development and Demonstration) phase in 2002 and is now committed to the production phase of the project.
Last summer, the Danish company Terma A/S received a contract to supply the project with edging for the plane's carbon-fiber tail stabilizers. Other companies with relationships with Terma are supplying components relating to composite panels, radar and gun pods for the conventional takeoff version of the Lightning.
The first production Lightning to come off the factory floor continues an extensive testing program in the United States.
