Lawmakers and officials discuss statewide impact of F-35 fighter

LAPORTE, Ind. -- 

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski will join officials Wednesday from Lockheed Martin and Arconic to highlight the F-35's role in protecting national security.

Leaders will also discuss the economic impact that the fighter has across the state of Indiana. 

Arconic Business Center 2 in La Porte is just one of 13 supplier locations for the F-35 fighters. 

Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II interactive cockpit demonstrator will be on sight for the next few days to allow employees to see what it's like to sit in the cockpit and fly the plane. 

“So we give them the opportunity to not just see what they’re doing on a day-to-day basis building these components, but actually get to fly one of the missions and see how it actually works when it’s all put together,” said Bob Rubino, the director for the F-35 program. “It’s a great, I think, builder for them to be excited for what they’re doing in their day-to-day job.”

The aircraft brings 2,790 direct and indirect jobs to Indiana.