The Melbourne Air and Space Show is about to crank up this weekend, and a Brevard County defense company is showcasing its involvement in the military's newest fighter plane coming to the event for the first time.

  • F-35 Lightning II is military's latest fighter plane
  • Malabar-based Harris manufactures parts for the jet
  • F-35 will fly at Melbourne Air and Space Show

Harris Corporation is responsible for manufacturing 1,700 parts for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, such as power supplies, antennas and equipment for fiber optic communication within the plane.

Some 200 employees work on the project at the company's Malabar facility.

Most have never seen the plane they helped build fly in action -- until now, when the F-35 takes to the skies over the airshow this weekend.

"They are very excited to go to the show and see the F-35 performing and to know that we have worked on all of those parts and are part of the success," said Bruce Barton, Harris' F-35 program director.

The F-35 is combat ready after years of design and testing. A single plane costs nearly $100 million.

For more on this weekend's Melbourne Air and Space Show, including a lineup and event times, head to their website.