F-22 production line up again after grounding - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

F-22 production line up again after grounding

Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor production line is back on track after the Air Force’s fleet-wide grounding of the jet had disrupted deliveries to the service, the company said.

“We are delivering jets,” Lockheed spokeswoman Alison Orne said. “The last one delivered was 4185. 4195 will be delivered in late spring 2012.”

Tail number AF 09-4185 has technically been delivered with the signing of a DD-250 form, but the stealthy fifth-generation fighter is currently undergoing government flight tests. After the completion of the tests this week, the Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing will fly the jet to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., where it will be based.

“It is scheduled to depart for Langley on [Thursday],” Orne said.

Aircraft 4183 was the last jet to fly to its new home.

The final Raptor to be built, AF 09-4195, will be delivered to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, where it will fly with the 3rd Wing. It is expected to be delivered in the spring, according to Lockheed.