F-35 Fighter-Bomber to Give Displays at British Air Shows

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Air Force is sending several Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter-bombers to give public displays at two major air shows in the United Kingdom this summer, the official Air Force News Service (AFNS) announced in a report.

"The 56th fighter wing from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, will send F-35A Lightning IIs to fly in heritage flights and to be on public display at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, and the Farnborough International Airshow," the report issued said on Tuesday.

It would be the first time that the US Air Force had ever sent one of its new fifth generation F-35 jets to any overseas airshow, the report noted.

"The Royal International Air Tattoo is scheduled for July 7 through 9, and the Farnborough International Airshow will be July 11 through 17," the report said.

The F-35 program, beset by technical problems and cost overruns, is expected to cost $1.5 trillion over its 55-year lifespan, making it the most expensive US weapons program.