This F/A-22 program milestone follows initial operational test findings in February and March by the Air Force and the Department of Defense, which judged the aircraft to be "overwhelming effective" in its performance. They said the F/A-22 would provide protection for troops no matter where they are, to an extent never before possible. The aircraft is to be assembled by Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney. Approximately 1,000 suppliers in 42 states will provide parts and subsystems.

F/A-22 production will take place at the Lockheed Martin facilities in Palmdale, Calif.; Meridian, Miss.; Marietta, Ga.; and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as at the Boeing plant in Seattle, Wash. Final assembly and initial flight testing of the F/A-22 will occur at the Marietta plant facilities.

The aircraft is scheduled to begin initial operational capability in December at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

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