CLEARFIELD, Utah—
ATK held a ribbon cutting ceremony and demonstration of a brand new F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet Thursday at Hill Air Force Base in Clearfield. The ceremony celebrated the machine that began creating the carbon fiber layer which makes up the plane parts. ATK is making the parts on the outside of the plane, referred to as the skin. The company has been making these plane parts for eight years.Thursday morning they announced the program is being extended.The expansion could create up to 120 new jobs for Utahns after the company lands a $250 million contract with the defense department.
It's the next generation of aviation for the military, according to Senator Bob Bennett. Bennett was among the ceremony's dignitaries and was treated to a cockpit simulation of the F-35.
"You have a company in the top of Utah also be in the top of the technological effort to take American aviation into the composite age and to do it with parts manufactured for the Joint Strike Fighter is indeed something that we should all celebrate," said Senator Bennett.
The new fighter jet will replace the F-16. Hill Air Force Base is already preparing these new planes and has been rumored to be the front-runner to have the first F-35 squadron. The deal isn't sealed but Utah Senators said they may make the announcement later this year. If all goes as planned, it could mean a major economy boost for Utah.
