Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Lockheed Martin and its international partners developed the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in three basic versions: the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A, the short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B and the carrier-variant (CV) F-35C. Since the first F-35A flew in December 2006, the fleet has racked up more than 155,000 flight hours, including more than 17,000 during development testing.
Delivery of production aircraft began in 2011 and the F-35B achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with the US Marine Corps in July 2015. The F-35A followed with the USAF in August 2016. The carrier-variant entered service with the US Navy in February 2019. More than 760 have been manufactured since production began in 2006.
USAF reveals next F-35A, F-15EX base locations
The USAF has revealed its preferred locations for hosting the next Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and Boeing F-15EX Eagle II units, marking a major boost for the US Air National Guard and the air arm’s plan to modernise its fighter force
USAF deploys more F-35As and F-15Es to Kadena Air Base
F-35A Lightning IIs from the 355th Fighter Squadron (FS) 'Fightin' Falcons' at Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska, and F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 336th FS 'Rocketeers' at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, have arrived at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, to further ensure the USAF's continued fighter presence in the region while the base's resident F-15C/D Eagles are returned to the continental US.
Japan set to receive first F-35B Lightning IIs in 2025
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is to receive its first short take-off and vertical landing-configured F-35B Lightning II from Lockheed Martin in 2025
Does the United States need an all-stealth air force?
Is stealth really a necessity in military aviation? Charlie Clark examines the options for air arms
Singapore green lights additional F-35B purchase
Having concluded its evaluation of the F-35B Lightning II, the Republic of Singapore Air Force revealed it would exercise its option to acquire another eight examples of the STOVL-configured variant of the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter family on February 24
Cost of UK's final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning IIs to increase
The price of the final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters to be acquired by the UK is set to rise by 6%, the Ministry of Defence has revealed
US Navy and USMC F-35B/C Squadrons: A Complete Guide
The US Marine Corps and US Navy are sister services that had different degrees of urgency for introducing the Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II. Gérard Keijsper provides an overview of the situation
USAF F-35A Squadrons: A Complete Guide
The F-35 is the first aircraft to serve in three different versions, planned from the outset in all US services. In the first of a two-part feature, Gérard Keijsper focuses on the operational units of the USAF F-35 fleet
What weapons can the F-35 carry? Global armaments list
The ever-increasing bite of the Lockheed Martin F-35 makes it a fearsome system. Gerard Keijsper looks at its armaments and the developments to come
UK Lightning Force struck by maintenance crew shortage
The introduction of the UK’s Lightning Force is being held back due to a lack of trained ground crew personnel; a British government minister has revealed
