Boeing

Assembly mechanics place the first of three aluminum frames into an assembly tool July 8 as assembly begins on the first forward fuselage of a Boeing Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstration aircraft. Later this year, the forebody will be shipped from St. Louis to Palmdale, Calif., where it will be mated to the rest of the aircraft. Two demonstration aircraft, X-32A and X-32B are being built as Boeing competes to build the JSF as an affordable replacement for several fighters currently flown by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Navy.