Fighter Jet News

F-35 Lightning II News

From 2024

F-35 News Archive

Polish F-35 program takes off: first pilots begin training in 2025
The 33rd FW welcomed the arrival of the first two Polish Air Force F-35A aircraft at Ebbing ANGB on December 23rd, 2024. [ANG photo by A1C. Miles Chrisman]
Dec 24, 2024 - On Monday, December 23, 2024, the first two Polish F-35A Husarz jets touched down at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, marking a significant milestone in Poland's transition to fifth-generation fighter capabilities. [Read more...]
The first Belgian F-35A arrives at Luke AFB
Members of the 312th FS inspect the first Belgian F-35A at Luke AFB on December 3rd, 2024. This was the first Belgian Air Component F-35A to arrive at Luke AFB, marking a milestone as Belgium and the U.S. collaborate to build a new fighter squadron. [USAF photo by SrA. Katelynn Jackson]
Dec 09, 2024 - The first Belgian F-35A Lightning II arrived at Luke Air Force Base, Dec. 3, 2024. This milestone marks the beginning of Belgium’s transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the advanced F-35A, ushering in a new era for the Belgian Air Component. [Read more...]
F-35A stealth fighters to replace F-16s by 2026 at Misawa Air Base
Two USAF F-35's assigned to the 48th FW, RAF Lakenheath, make history by landing on a highway strip during the exercise BAANA 2024 on September 4th on the Hosio Highway Strip in Ranua. During the exercise the USAF collaborated with NATO Allies to adapt, innovate and strengthen our collective defense while making history by landing US fighter aircraft on a Finnish highway strip demonstrating military capabilities and interoperability. During the exercise USAF Airmen expanded on Agile Combat Employment capabilities by learning austere environment aircraft landing and take-off operations and techniques from their Finnish counterparts. [US Army photo by Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor]
Dec 01, 2024 - In response to growing threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, the United States is upgrading its military presence in Japan by replacing F-16 Fighting Falcons with F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters at Misawa Air Base. [Read more...]
F-35 takes center stage in manned-unmanned combat evolution with XQ-58A Valkyrie
A USMC XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two USAF F-35A assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB on February 23rd, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. [USAF photo by MSgt. John McRell]
Nov 29, 2024 - The F-35 is now spearheading the integration of manned and unmanned combat systems. Recent tests pairing the F-35 with the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone demonstrated the potential of collaborative combat operations, where advanced stealth jets and autonomous vehicles work together to dominate the battlefield. [Read more...]
Romania signs contract to purchase 32 F-35 fighter jets
Italy’s first built F-35A (AL-01), which will also be the first jet operated by the Italian Air Force, rolls out of the Cameri Final Assembly & Check Out (FACO) facilityon March 12th, 2015. [Lockheed Martin photo by Larry Bramblett]
Nov 21, 2024 - Romania signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) today with the United States for the acquisition of 32 F-35 fighter jets, along with their associated weaponry. [Read more...]
F-35C makes history with first combat strikes by U.S. Marine Squadron
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on November 11th, 2024. [USNavy photo]
Nov 20, 2024 - U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II saw its first combat use in November 2024. U.S. Marine Corps squadron VMFA 314, operating aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), conducted strikes on Houthi weapons facilities in Yemen. [Read more...]
First Polish Air Force F-35 ‘Husarz’ unveiled
The first Polish Air Force F-35A photgraphed headon during the roll-out ceremony at Fort Worth on august 28th, 2024. [Lockheed Martin photo]
Aug 30, 2024 - On Aug, 28, 2024, the first Polish Air Force F-35A, designated AZ-01, was officially unveiled during a roll-out ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facilities, Texas. This aircraft entered production in April 2023. [Read more...]
F-35B crashes in New Mexico; pilot suffers serious injuries
USMC F-35B #170052 has just transitioned from VTOL mode when on a local test flight from NAS Fort Worth on August 19th, 2022. [Photo by Keith Snyder]
May 29, 2024 - An F-35B Lightning II en route from Lockheed’s Fort Worth, facility, to Edwards Air Force Base, California, crashed after a refuelling stop at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico on Tuesday at 14.00h. [Read more...]
First flight of a Belgian Air Force F-35A
BAF F-35A #FL003 is coming in for landing at NAS Fort Worth after its first flight on May 14th, 2024. [Photo by Gail Snyder]
May 15, 2024 - On May 14, 2024, the third F-35A destined for the Belgian Air Force completed its maiden flight. The aircraft took off from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility in Texas around 15:00h and flew for approximately one hour. [Read more...]
More News: