X-35 Model Central to Lockheed Martin's Presence Here

Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter full-scale mock-up is the centerpiece of the company's traditionally strong showing at Paris.

With its X-35B within days of being cleared for first STOVL flight-something that could still happen while the air show here is ongoing-the mock-up and company presentations featuring the massive fighter project take on particular importance. A test pilot overview of the progress so far will be part of the company's presentation. A flight test update for the F-22 also will be made during this week's activities.

Of course the most noticeable part of the U.S. defense giant's involvement here are the daily flight routines with an F-16. Two additional F-16s are in static display, one from the U.S. Air Force featuring long-range conformal fuel tanks. The second is an Israeli Air Force F-16B with upgrades.

There are yet other aircraft the company builds or is just involved in. The C-130J is on static display, while the smaller C-27J that Alenia and Lockheed Martin work on together is flying daily. Also on static display, a U.S. P-3C Orion and a Royal Navy Merlin HM.1, for which Lockheed Martin leads mission systems integration work.