Lockheed Martin’s first F-35A Lightning II built for Germany has completed its maiden flight, marking a major step toward the Luftwaffe’s introduction of the fifth-generation fighter.
Lockheed Martin
The Pentagon now projects the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will cost about $536.3 billion to develop and procure, up from $485.2 billion in the previous estimate. Its total lifecycle cost, however, has fallen to roughly $1.93 trillion from $2.06 trillion.
Switzerland’s first F-35A Lightning II is taking shape at Leonardo’s Cameri facility in Italy, where the first forward fuselage section and wing have entered assembly.
Taiwan receives its first F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the US as long-delayed deliveries officially begin.
Germany’s first F-35A enters final production before Luftwaffe delivery, marking a major milestone in Germany’s fighter modernization.
Japan is strengthening its role in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as it prepares for the next generation of air combat.
Australia is set to become the first country outside the United States to operate the highly classified AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), marking a significant milestone in the nation’s air combat modernization efforts.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California on Friday after the pilot ejected moments before impact.
The F-35 Joint Program Office, which runs the fighter effort from just outside Washington, awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.6 billion spare parts contract last week. It is the largest such deal in the history of the F-35 Lightning II program.
Patria has begun manufacturing F-35 fighter forward fuselages, landing gear doors, and F135 engine assemblies in Finland, and the company said the programme is progressing as planned.