Aircraft
First British F-35 Rolled Out as Change of Plan Explained
The first international Joint Strike Fighter, an F-35B for the UK, was rolled out on November 22,
The first international Joint Strike Fighter is an F-35B for the UK, even though that country has now switched to the F-35C version. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The first international Joint Strike Fighter is an F-35B for the UK, even though that country has now switched to the F-35C version. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The first international Joint Strike Fighter, an F-35B for the UK, was rolled out on November 22, one week before a parliamentary report shed more light on the UK’s decision to switch from the STOVL F-35B version to the conventional carrier landing F-35C version. The UK bought three F-35Bs for operational test and evaluation, before last year’s cost-driven change of plan.