The Pentagon awarded contracts to two companies Nov. 16, 1996, which might be seen as the beginning of the F-35 Lightning II’s development. It eliminated one industry contender, leaving the other two to compete towards building the most advanced aircraft for the largest weapons program in the Department of Defense. 

The two industry competitors then started to build concept demonstrator aircraft reflecting their various ideas. After examinations to compare the aircrafts’ performance, the winner of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter contract was selected in October 2001 by the U.S. Department of Defense, setting a new course for aviation and the 21st century warfare.