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Northrop Grumman has delivered its 1,500th F-35 Lightning II center fuselage from its Integrated Assembly Line in Palmdale, California. The facility produces one fuselage every 30 hours and employs augmented and virtual reality to enhance efficiency.

The IAL has been operational since 2011 and has improved production processes. Northrop is also advancing F-35 technologies, including the development of the AN/APG-85 AESA radar for future Block 4 aircraft. Additionally, in September 2023, the company secured a $705 million contract to develop the Stand-in Attack Weapon, expected to achieve operational capability by 2026.