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.

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Sixth-generation fighter radars - A look into the future

The radars equipping tomorrow’s sixth-generation combat aircraft will be the most advanced ever to take to the skies, says Thomas Withington, examining their capabilities and how they might influence air combat

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Stunning images from Aviation Nation Airshow at Nellis AFB

Barry Ambrose shares his images from the Aviation Nation Airshow, which took place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in early November. The event mixed home team heavy metal such as A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-15s, F-16s, F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs alongside crowd pleasers including the USAF’s Thunderbirds and warbirds such as Mustangs and Shooting Stars

Australia now fields almost 60 F-35As in-country

A further five Royal Australian Air Force-operated Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs have arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, bringing the total number in operational service to 59 aircraft out of 72 on order

Pilot ejects from F-35B during bizarre crash in Texas

A Lockheed Martin-owned F-35B Lightning II was involved in a bizarre incident as it came into land on the shared runway at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas on December 15

Germany commits to buying more than 30 F-35A Lightning IIs

The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) announced it will procure a total of 35 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth generation fighter aircraft after its budget committee approved the close to €10bn purchase on December 14

‘Flying Tigers’ set up to become USMC’s first East Coast F-35B unit

MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina will soon be added to the ever-growing list of operational F-35B Lightning II locations after Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542) ‘Flying Tigers’ formally started the transition process from the AV-8B Harrier II to the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter

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Viking Warriors: What does the future hold for the Royal Danish Air Force?

The main role of the Royal Danish Air Force is similar to most European air forces – protecting national airspace. One factor that sets it apart, however, is the responsibility to patrol Greenland’s vast expanses, writes AirForces Monthly

UK, France take on simulated air threat in Exercise Griffin Dawn

RAF-operated Typhoon FGR4s and F-35B Lightning IIs recently joined forces with Rafale B/C (F3-R) multi-role fighters from the French Air and Space Force to respond to a simulated air threat during Exercise Griffin Dawn

USS Tripoli returns after successful first Indo-Pacific deployment

The US Navy's second America-class amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA-7), returned to Naval Base San Diego in California - the vessel's home port - with its complement of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs on November 29, after completing its first operational deployment to the Indo-Pacific.

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How US F-35s are protecting NATO aircraft from Russian missile threat over Poland

Almost all NATO aircraft operating over Poland are within range of Russian S-400 battalions stationed in Kaliningrad and Belarus. Babak Taghvaee details how the Green Mountain Boys’ first European deployment with the F-35 was designed to counter this threat

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