This artist's conception is the U.S. Air Force version of the Joint Strike Fighter to be built by Lockheed Martin. Secretary of Defense William J. Perry announced the selection of Lockheed Martin of Fort Worth, Texas, as one of two contractors to be awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Joint Strike Fighter Concept Demonstration Program during a briefing at the Pentagon on Nov. 16, 1996. The Joint Strike Fighter is the military's next generation, multi-role, strike aircraft designed to complement the Navy F/A-18 and the Air Force F-22 aircraft. The Concept Demonstration Program will feature flying aircraft demonstrators, ground and flight technology demonstrations, and continued refinement of the contractor's weapons system concept for the next generation strike fighter for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Royal Navy. With the first operational aircraft delivery slated for 2008, the development program is a joint U.S.-United Kingdom effort that seeks to affordably replace aging strike assets while maintaining the national and allied combat technological edge. The Boeing Company, Seattle, Wash., will also develop their concept of the Joint Strike Fighter under a similar contract.