Lockheed Martin rebuts F-35 critics on cost, progress
After a bad start to 2010, U.S.

After a bad start to 2010, U.S. officials are at Farnborough to persuade their eight international partners that the original ambitions for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are still intact. Escalating cost estimates and flight-test delays have cast a shadow over the airplane billed by Lockheed Martin as the only exportable fifth-generation fighter.

Unlike previous shows, there will be no stage-managed public parade here of the U.S. and international customers, all professing confidence, enthusiasm and unity. But in low-key media and private briefings this week, the F-35 message is that the goals of all-aspect stealth and superior avionics integration in a mass-production, multi-role combat aircraft can still be achieved.