F-35 Aircraft Database

First production F-35A delivered.

Ferried to Edwards AFB on May 6th, 2011 to begin its flight testing program. Two days later on May 8th, 2011 was the delivery date. It was to be sent to Eglin AFB and had markings for the 33rd FW, but was diverted. Even carried markings for the 33 FW commander's bird.

First flight for a Dutch F-35.

RAF F-35 roll out ceremony

100th USAF F-35 delivered.

First F-35 to land on a ship.

Operated at NAS Patuxent River. Flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time on June 10th, 2010. The supersonic milestone was achieved on the 30th flight. USMC pilot Lt. Col. Matt Kelly climbed to 30,000 feet and accelerated to Mach 1.07 in the off-shore supersonic test track near NAS Patuxent River. First F-35 to land on a ship on October 3rd, 2011 from the USS Wasp (LHD-1) for initial sea trials along with BF-04. Wore ship name on the tail.

Sent to NAS Patuxent River to the Naval Air Systems Command. On November 18th, 2010 this aircraft completed the 500th F-35 flight. The three-hour sortie was mainly to evaluate avionics software. Took part in the initial sea trials on October 3rd, 2011 from the USS Wasp (LHD-1) along with BF-02. A major first for this aircraft on June 19th, 2015 when the aircraft was the first F-35 to take off from a Ski-Jump during testing at NAS Patuxent River.

Lands on HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time.

First landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)

Royal Navy Cmdr. Nathan Gray takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth. Gray made history September 25, 2018 by being the first to land on the new British aircraft carrier.

Delivery of the first British F-35.

The United Kingdom accepted the first international F-35 which was delivered in a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas on July 19th, 2012. Paperwork delivery date was July 12th, 2012. US local S/N: 168315.

First flight of X-35C

First flight occured on December 16th, 2000 with Joe Sweeney as the pilot. Was a concept aircraft only so was never actually delivered to the US Navy, so this entry is based on first flight, not any delivery date. The aircraft's last flight was on March 10th, 2001.

First flight X-35A

X-35A converted to X-35B

Converted to the X-35B in a three month period. The aircraft was converted for VSTOL testing. Need to confirm when the aircraft began conversion.

First flight X-35B

First flight as the X-35B was on June 23rd, 2001 and Simon Hargreaves was the pilot.