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World's Most Advanced Fighter Jet Arrives for Duty - VIDEO

The F-35 joint strike fighter is the most technologically sophisticated production combat aircraft ever built.

July 14 marked a signifcant milestone in military history as Eglin Air Force Base in Florida took delivery of the first First F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter ready for duty. The aircraft is part of the largest defense spending initiative ever approved with the U.S. government set to purchase nearly 2,500 planes from builder Lockheed Martin for $382 billion.

The stealth fighter, which will be in service for the nine nations participating in the Joint Strike Fighter program, has a top speed of 1,200 mph, a range of 1,400 nautical miles, and can reach an altitude of 60,000 feet.