Defense Highlights From The Farnborough Airshow
There was plenty of defense news at the Farnborough International airshow. This is a view of the Finmeccanica display area, where the company announced new orders for various AgustaWestland helicopters. (Photo: Mark Wagner)
There was plenty of defense news at the Farnborough International airshow. This is a view of the Finmeccanica display area, where the company announced new orders for various AgustaWestland helicopters. (Photo: Mark Wagner)

The 2014 Farnborough International airshow will be remembered for the airplane that didn’t show. The much-anticipated international debut of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter was stymied by the engine fire that later led to a three-week grounding. The jets also missed the chance to fly over the naming ceremony for the UK’s new aircraft carrier, and to perform at the Royal International Air Tattoo, also in the UK. Incidentally, stealth aircraft can be detected at least occasionally, as we described earlier this year, and in Farnborough Airshow News.