With a possible 4,000+ F-35 Lightning II aircraft deployed worldwide, the prime contractor has opted for a moving assembly line for efficiency, saving $300 million. The first aircraft designed entirely with 3D solid-modeling software, the F-35 has innovative production line features: a flexible overhead gantry, a 24/7 auto-drill cell for wing-fastener holes, 10x faster laser-ultrasonic inspection, and robotic vehicles.
