The staff of the RAMI of Sheppard and the students of the “Grifo” and “Ibis” V courses spent a day in Forth Worth. The visit began with a presentation by Greg Day, responsible for the F-35 project for Great Britain and Italy, who highlighted the fundamental characteristics of the new aircraft produced in three different variants, and of the project in which Italy is involved together with other nations, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, Great Britain and the United States.
The visit continued in the industrial production departments where the particular production process of an F-35 aircraft was explained in detail. The main parts of this aircraft are manufactured in different facilities in the countries participating in the program, including the Italian one in Cameri (NO), before being assembled entirely at the Texas facility in Forth Worth. During the day it was also possible to board the aircraft simulator to perform some test flights.
The Head of the RAMI, Lieutenant Colonel Michele Minonne, thanked on behalf of the Commander of the A.M./3rd R.A. Schools, Air Force General Mario Renzo Ottone, the representative of Lockheed Martin and his staff for the welcome received, adding that, through the visit, the young Officers attending the flight training course were able to admire the production line of an aircraft of high performance and therefore draw further motivation for continuing the course and for their future aeronautical career during which, most likely, some of them will be employed on this new weapon system.
