Authored by Sujita Sinha via Interesting Engineering,Germany's first F-35A fighter jet is now closer to delivery after its engine was installed during final assembly, according to Lockheed Martin. This milestone shows steady progress on one of Germany's biggest defense modernization efforts since the Cold War.Germany's first F-35 reaches a key production milestone as its powerful F135 engine is installed.Lockheed Martin Europe/XLockheed Martin Europe posted the update on social media, describing the engine installation as "another key production milestone on the path to delivering advanced 5th Gen capability for Germany."The company shared photos of the aircraft on the assembly line as workers installed the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine. Now that the engine is in place, the jet will move on to final testing before its first flight and handover to the German Air Force.Powerplant Transforms Aircraft Into Operational SystemGermany's first F-35 uses the Pratt & Whitney F135, which is the most powerful engine in any Western fighter jet today. It produces about 43,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner and is a key part of the jet's design.The F135 was made specifically for the F-35 and cannot be swapped for another engine. Besides providing power, it also helps the jet stay stealthy. Engineers shaped the exhaust nozzle and air intake to lower radar visibility from different directions.Installing the engine is a major step in final assembly because it marks the change from a finished airframe to a working combat jet. After the engine is in, technicians start checking how the propulsion system works with the jet's controls, sensors, and software.Die Power hinter Deutschlands erster F-35 🇩🇪