THE F-35 | Where the World's Most Advanced Fighter Jet is Built

The F-35 Lightning II is the most technologically advanced aircraft ever built. Designed as a 5th-generation multi-role fighter, the F-35 can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Now when it comes to engineering such an incredible piece of machinery, I had always wondered what all went in to the manufacturing process. In this video, I had the chance to walk Lockheed Martin's mile long production line in Fort Worth, TX to get a behind-the-scenes look that has rarely been documented on camera. I'll show you the process of creating the F-35 from concept to cockpit, and if you hang around till the end, I may even have a few surprises in store...


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Big thanks to @SwayneMartinPilot for helping film!

Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Background & Capabilities
2:16 History
3:00 Production Line
4:00 Robots
5:03 Walking the Line
5:55 Special Guest
7:07 Cockpit Demonstrator
8:44 F-35 Helmet
10:23 Walkaround Tour
13:07 F-35 In Action
14:55 Conclusion

*Views expressed in this video are my own and do not represent the official views of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense*

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[allenwade]

Sam I worked for General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin for 41 years and 4 months before I retired in March of 2020. Came in on the F-16 @ the age of 23 and the most thing I miss is seeing those F-35's every day. And yep they are truly a bad ass machine!

[Dannamal-hcpu]

Back on my last deployment we had F-35C’s. The first time I saw them I was amazed. I still can’t stop looking at it. Its even more insane seeing them launch off of CAT 3 and CAT 4. The power of these jets are insane!

[sferg]

I live within 3 miles of Luke AFB in Arizona, and nearly every weekday we're hearing the music of these beasts!!! Thrilling to sit and watch their takeoff and landing exercises. On certain days they are in the air doing tight turning maneuvers and chasing each other around. God Bless Our Military!

[twinklyalcapa]

My dad works on these jets, they're even cooler in person 😎

[Adam_Gray]

A few years back during an airshow at BAFB, I was totally blow away by the F-35 and its demo team. The ability to nearly fly backwards, nearly at standstill - nose high, it's incredible tight turning radius. The jaw shattering, pure raw sound was in itself earth- shaking! To see and hold the helmet with its packed technology was pretty cool too! Thanks for the Lockheed-Martin tour Sam!

[zachhelms]

i actually did some work there for a short time, i installed a bunch of air lines out of 3/4 inch steel pipe. it took around a week to get clearance just to go inside, its really a fascinating facility!

[united]

As a plane spotter that take photos of the F35 at that specific location I can assure u that it is amazing to see the assembly line

[JawsFan]

Seeing these things in person is really cool! The way the STOVL variant lands vertically is a marvel of engineering.

[ianwtarrant]

Twenty plus years ago, I was a lucky contractor helping in the early stages after LM won the contract. For three months I worked in the offices upstairs with the life support team. They still were building F16’s and it was so amazing to walk that plant and see it come together. Thanks for sharing this video as it’s best to now see what it looks like! PS, why didn’t you show the trikes? Do they not have them anymore?

[TheNinjaGinger]

I go to photo the RAF F-35B's every couple weeks and it never gets old, a totally awesome bit of kit.

[samjoseph]

I am a co pilot in the Indian Navy. I never got a chance to see how an aircraft is assembled and it's great seeing an f35 production line-up. Thanks for sharing this video. Cheers. ( We also share the same name)

[TheShadowMoto]

It’s honestly funny now that I’ve thought about it. I live within walking distance of Lockheed and get to experience the sight of the F35 flying almost daily along with the F16’s and on occasion F18’s (my personal favorite) and it’s never crossed my mind that what I’ve come to accept as a regular everyday sight is something that some would wish for lol.

Trust me, it’s awesome and at the same time annoying at times. I’ve had one or two jets fly over my house during times I wish they weren’t lmfao.

(Also, it’s weird being able to see the lake worth exit off 820 from inside the base lol. You can’t really get on base unless you or your immediate family are military personnel or Lockheed employees. So seeing everything from the inside is absolutely awesome! Never thought I would be able to experience that sight even through video.)

[Rosarioworx]

I’m a Pratt and Whitney mechanic, we build and test all three Variants of the F-135 Engines here in WPB FL.
Great video! 👍🏼

[aitoeyes]

My aunt was actually part of F-35 project team and heard some of the cool episodes and now I’m loving it. I enjoy flying it in Ace Combat 7! XD

[Bill_KLTC]

54 F-35's here at Eielson AFB, AK and they are one of the LOUDEST aircraft (with the F4, Tornado, and B1) that I have seen. Amazing aircraft and seeing them fly daily (except how loud they are) is amazing.

[eldoon]

I'm so excited, Claim your "Here before the premiere" passes here

[logosofgame]

A slight error in the video. The A model does not designate an air to air combat variant, all of them can engage in air to air combat. The A, B, C designations refer entirely to how they take off and land. A from standard runways, B short take-off and vertical landing, and C is set up for the catapults and arrestor wire systems that some carriers use.

[troutwarrior]

I live near a marine corps air station and every week I see f-35bs flying around my house. It's truly surreal to see them in person.

[davidhood]

I’ve actually gotten to tour this exact plant! It’s an amazing operation they have setup here at the JRB.

[chrisUSA]

I'm very thankful that we have a dedicated personnel like Tony Wilson on our side. Thank you Mr. Wilson for your service.