The US military's new Joint Strike Fighter took another step forward as two contractors BAE Systems and Pratt & Whitney announced production milestones.

BAE Systems began delivery of its electronic warfare suite which serves as the nerve center of the new aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney, famous for their engines, has begun testing the Short Takeoff Vertical Landing.

The $244 billion project was set back a year after concerns of the aircraft's weight and now is expected to fly sometime during 2006.

The JSF project is the biggest military project ever with eight participating country and will result in thousands of F-35 each costing around $40-$50 each.