F-35(Page 2)

Latest in F-35

Israel will buy 25 F-15IA fighters, marking the first new Eagles that the country has acquired since November 1995, when it ordered F-15I Ra’am jets. This summer, Israel had been given U.S. approval to by as many as 50 F-15IAs, as well as upgrade its F-15Is. Whether more F-15s or upgrades are added, the current wars in the Middle East mean that further acquisitions of combat aircraft are likely.

Israel Executes Long Awaited Buy Of F-15IA Advanced Eagle Fighters

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 7, 2024
USMC F-35B

Final Conclusions On Bizarre Crash Of ‘Zombie’ F-35B That Flew Without A Pilot For 64 Miles Released

By Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Oct 31, 2024
Poland has taken the next step in the modernization of its air force, with U.S. approval given for a major upgrade of its fleet of F-16 fighters. The program will bring the jets to the F-16V standard and also suggests new weapons may be introduced, too. The Viper Midlife Upgrade is announced as Poland awaits F-35 stealth fighters and considers buying F-15EX multirole fighters, while making significant investments in its armed forces across the board, to meet the threat from Russia.

Poland’s F-16s Cleared For Major Upgrades

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 24, 2024
BF-19, Lt Cdr Nicholas Baker RN, Flight 633, Test 808, Arrival JS KAGA for beginning of DT Sea Trails, 20 October 2024

Japan Expands Carrier Capabilities With F-35B, Drones Could Be Next

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 22, 2024
Iranian attack on Israeli airbase shows some damage but nothing widespread

Clearer Picture Of Damage To Israeli Airbase From Iranian Ballistic Missiles Emerges

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Oct 4, 2024
KC-707 IAF remote vision system

Israeli 707 Tanker’s Secretive Remote Vision System Revealed In Long-Range Yemen Raid

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Sep 30, 2024
After almost 45 years of service, including multiple combat deployments, the F-16 was formally retired today by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). At the same time, the service announced that the F-35A had attained full operational capability, with the stealth fighter now responsible for the full spectrum of missions previously handled by the Viper, including nuclear strike.

The Last Viper Commander: Dutch Squadron Boss On Today’s Retirement Of The F-16

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Sep 27, 2024
An F-35 Lightning II test pilot conducts flight test Sept. 10 to certify the carrier variant of the fighter aircraft for carrying the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). As part of ongoing integration efforts, the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) team flew two days of test flights to evaluate flutter, loads, and flying qualities with two AGM-158 loaded on external stations. LRASM is a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. The Pax River ITF’s mission is to effectively plan, coordinate, and conduct safe, secure, and efficient flight test for F-35B and C variants, and provide necessary and timely data to support program verification / certification and fleet operational requirements.

F-35 Shown Carrying Stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Sep 24, 2024
Collins Aerospace has put forward a vision for what a high-end air combat engagement between the U.S. and Chinese armed forces, with the American side employing crewed fighters and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone wingmen, could look like in the future.

What American Fighters And Their Drone Wingmen Fighting Chinese Jets Might Look Like

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 20, 2024
Poland’s first F-35A stealth fighter — locally named Husarz, or hussar — was officially rolled out today in a glitzy ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas plant.

Poland’s First F-35A “Hussar” Stealth Fighter Rolled Out

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Aug 28, 2024
Not for the first time, the commitment of the United Kingdom to the F-35B Lightning stealth fighter is under scrutiny, amid reports that the new government could make cuts to it as it grapples with financial woes. With the British government seemingly committed to the next-generation Tempest fighter, the ability to pay for two separate advanced combat aircraft programs is being questioned, while continued problems integrating new weapons on the F-35B also pose a threat to its long-term security.

United Kingdom’s F-35B Fleet Plans Under Threat As Defense Cuts Loom

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Aug 27, 2024
More NATO members are now 'read into' top-secret Special Access Programs (SAP) related to the Joint Strike Fighter as part of a broader push to improve information sharing and interoperability.

More Top Secret F-35 Stealth Fighter Data Given To NATO Members

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 2, 2024
Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new version of its Sniper targeting pod with added networking capabilities primarily designed to enable new connectivity between fourth-generation fighters and stealthy F-35s, but which also offers the ability to create localized 'kill webs' with various assets in the air and on the ground.

Networked Sniper Pod Will Let 4th-Generation Fighters Create ‘Kill Webs’ With F-35s

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jul 26, 2024
Greece has made good on its promise to buy F-35 stealth fighters, confirming today that it will buy an initial batch of 20 of the aircraft at a cost of around $3.5 billion. The decision is an important step in the modernization of the Hellenic Air Force, which has recently inducted other new combat aircraft types, while plans to retire older jets have also been unveiled. The move also has a particular resonance in terms of Greece’s tense relations with regional rival Turkey, which was booted out of the F-35 program, after buying Russian-made S-400 air defense systems.

Greece Buying F-35s Widens Qualitative Gap With Turkey

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 26, 2024
General Atomics has told TWZ that it’s looking at adapting its ship-based Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear, EMALS and AAG, respectively, for use from land bases. While the company first developed EMALS and AAG for the U.S. Navy’s Ford class aircraft carriers, the growing interest in expeditionary campaigns ashore is driving new thinking about how to operate aircraft without access to large traditional runways.

Ford Class Carrier’s EMALS Catapults, AAG Arrester Gear Eyed For Land Bases

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 23, 2024
Yemen Port Strike by Israeli Air Force

Details Of Israel’s Long-Range Strike That Decimated Yemeni Port Emerge

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jul 21, 2024
An active expendable decoy, or AED capability has been tested and integrated on U.S. F-35 stealth fighters, resulting in a decision to field this operationally. The move apparently involves the British-made Leonardo BriteCloud, a small active-radar decoy that we have discussed at length in the past and which promises to enhance the F-35’s ability to defeat various types of air defense system threats.

F-35s Set To Get Missile-Luring Expendable Active Decoys

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 18, 2024
Italy has announced plans to equip the F-35B stealth fighters operated by its naval air arm with the Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM), among other weapons. Details of the armament for the Italian Navy’s short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs comes as the aircraft take part for the first time in the large-scale Pitch Black drills in Australia, aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour.

Italy’s Carrier-Capable F-35B Stealth Fighters To Get New Advanced Weapons

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 16, 2024
F-35 deliveries will resume with a limited TR-3 software load.

F-35 Deliveries Finally Cleared To Resume, New Jets Will Be Limited To Training

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 12, 2024
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter appears to have encountered some kind of problem at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, forcing an emergency egress by the pilot.

F-35B Pilot Seen Leaping From Jet In Japan

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 12, 2024
The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 3, 2024
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter has begun wearing some decidedly non-standard markings, very likely the most flamboyant we’ve seen on the Joint Strike Fighter so far. The upper fuselage and top surfaces of the wing the F-35B in question, operated by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, “Bats,” is emblazoned with a stylized motif showing the night-flying mammal, and has recently been captured by photographers at its base, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture.

F-35B Dons Huge Bat Insignia On Its Back

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 20, 2024
The US Air Force has awarded its first contract for the purchase of production Joint Strike Missiles which are set to give its F-35A Joint Strike Fighters a new and capable stand-off strike option against targets on land and at sea.

USAF F-35s Are Officially Getting Joint Strike Cruise Missiles That Fit In Their Bays

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 1, 2024
A U.S. B-2A Spirit bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing and a Royal Netherlands air force F-35A conduct aerial operations in support of Bomber Task Force Europe 20-2 over the North Sea March 18, 2020. Bomber missions provide opportunities to train and work with NATO allies and theater partners in combined and joint operations and exercises.

Dutch F-35s Take On A Full Nuclear Role

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 31, 2024
An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crashed in Albuquerque New Mexico.

F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated)

By Howard Altman
Posted on May 28, 2024
F-35 has gotten its name from Poland.

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

By Oliver Parken
Updated on Apr 30, 2024
A US Marine Corps CH-53K recently carried the stripped-down hulk of an F-35C fighter from one base to another and refueled in mid-air along the way.

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Apr 26, 2024
Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, which it is pitching to the U.S. Navy and Air Force and which it says will potentially also be able to arm submarines and surface warships. The weapon, which was originally developed for the Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program reflects growing interest in more affordable hypersonic strike weapons, smaller than cruise missiles but offering standoff range and very rapid response.

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Apr 11, 2024
The F-35 Joint Program Office says the internal gun on the A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now effective after years of accuracy and other problems.

F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective”

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Mar 22, 2024
F-35Bs are armed on a flight line

F-35 Cleared For Full-Rate Production 17 Years After Its First Flight

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Mar 13, 2024
F-35 drops B61-12 during a test at Edwards AFB

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Mar 9, 2024
Singapore Adds F-35As To Expand Its Stealth Fighter Fleet

Singapore Adds F-35As To Expand Its Stealth Fighter Fleet

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Feb 28, 2024
The US Navy and Air Force have both recently laid out requirements for new compact cruise missiles, including an anti-ship type that could be carried internally on certain F-35 variants.

Mini Anti-Ship Cruise Missile That Fits Inside An F-35 Is On The Navy’s Wish List

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Feb 7, 2024
F-35 Turkey

F-35s Back On The Table For Turkey

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jan 30, 2024
Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 Heritage Flight Team pilot and commander performs a vertical climb in an F-35A Lightning II during the Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Oct. 14, 2018, in Fort Worth, Texas. The F-35A Lightning II’s F-135 single-engine contains 43,000 pounds of thrust. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Cook)

Czech Republic Officially Joins The F-35 Fighter Program

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Jan 29, 2024
F-35 SPEAR METEOR

F-35 To Get Meteor, SPEAR 3 Missiles “By End Of Decade”

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jan 22, 2024
Lockheed Martin has built the 1,000th F-35, but delays with a key upgrade program mean it is parked away awaiting delivery.

The 1,000th F-35 Has Been Built

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jan 10, 2024
F-35 Lightning fighter jets have conducted their first night flying trials off the United Kingdom’s largest warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth. The aircraft carrier, which first landed F-35 Lightning jets on board last week, is currently conducting flight testing off the east coast of the United States. Pictures show how the night time trials, which up until now have only been tested in simulators or on the ground, were carried out using state-of-the-art night-vision technology, with the pilots and aircraft handlers successfully guiding the supersonic fighter jets onto the flight deck. Some trials were also carried out without night vision technology to ensure the jets’ capability in any eventuality.

No, The F-35B Does Not Use Afterburner In Vertical Landing Mode

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 28, 2023
The U.S. can learn lessons from Israel operates its F-35I fleet.

Israel’s F-35I Combat Experience Is Providing Lessons For Future Pacific Fight

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Dec 13, 2023
Royal Navy Activates First F-35B Unit, Big Decisions On Type’s Future Loom

Royal Navy Activates First F-35B Unit, Big Decisions On Type’s Future Loom

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 8, 2023
F-35C lands aboard the carrier with mirror coating on its tails.

F-35C With Mirror-Like Coating Photographed Aboard Carrier

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Dec 2, 2023
The F-35 Joint Program Office is oversee a project to create a single operational "Franken-bird" from two seriously damaged F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.

F-35 “Franken-Bird” Being Made From Two Badly Damaged Jets

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 1, 2023
Official rendering of F-35 carrying two external LRASM missiles.

Navy Looks To Arm F-35 With Four New Missiles, Including Hellfire

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Nov 14, 2023
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has offered new details about his service's plans for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

CCA Loyal Wingmen Drones To Cost Quarter To Third Of An F-35

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 14, 2023
F-35 drops B61-12 during a test at Edwards AFB

Dutch F-35s Gain Nuclear Strike Mission “Initial Certification”

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 10, 2023
Israel F-35 shoots down Houthi cruise missile

Israel Scores F-35’s First Cruise Missile Kill

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 2, 2023
A heavily redacted copy of the final report on a controversial flyoff between the A-10 Warthog and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has finally been released.

A-10 Vs F-35 Close Air Support Flyoff Report Finally Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 1, 2023
Scott "Intake" Kartvedt

We Go In-Depth With The Navy’s First F-35 Squadron Commander

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Oct 10, 2023
F35 flare release

Moment Flare Released From F-35 Captured In Remarkable Photo

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 3, 2023
Norwegian F-35As have become the first aircraft of this type to operate from a road during an exercise in Finland.

F-35A Has Flown From A Highway For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 21, 2023
New details about the crash of a Marine Corps F-35B on September 17, 2023, have emerged.

“He Just Lost It In The Weather” – Audio From F-35 Crash Response Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 19, 2023
US officials say debris from a Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter that went missing on September 17, 2023, has finally been found.

F-35 Debris Found In Field After Frantic Search For Missing Jet

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 18, 2023
The Air Force will announce details of a major restructuring Monday in Denver.

F-35 Can’t Be Found After Pilot Ejected (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Sep 18, 2023
F-35 low departure

F-35 Nearly Trims The Trees In Incredible Boeing Field Departure

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Sep 1, 2023
US Marine Corps and US Air Force F-35s have been practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures they would use while working together with non-stealth fighters, like F-16s, in a future high-end fight during an exercise in Wisconsin.

F-35s Keep F-16s In The Fight During Northern Lightning

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 15, 2023
A newly released report on the crash of a British F-35B into the Mediterranean Sea in 2021 includes a picture of the jet on the seafloor.

F-35 Crash Report Includes Sonar Image Of It On Seafloor

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Aug 11, 2023
F-35B EABO California highway

F-35B Just Touched Down On The Old Pacific Coast Highway

By James Deboer
Posted on Aug 3, 2023
F-35 Highway Operations RAF

British F-35Bs To Bring Vertical Landing Abilities To Highways

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 13, 2023
Pratt Whitney F35 engine

War Over Future Of F-35’s Engine Explodes Publicly

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 23, 2023
F-35 Intercept California

Watch F-35 ‘Headbutt’ Private Plane During Low-Level Intercept Over Marin

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Jun 21, 2023
Red Flag F-35

Latest F-35s Will Go Directly Into Storage Until Upgrade Woes Ironed Out

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 13, 2023
F-15EX Klamath Falls F-35

F-15EX No Longer Heading To Oregon Training Unit, F-35 Instead

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on May 26, 2023
Avoiding F-35 “Acquisition Malpractice” Aim Of Next Gen Air Dominance Fighter

Avoiding F-35 “Acquisition Malpractice” Aim Of Next Gen Air Dominance Fighter

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on May 23, 2023
F35 Sockwave

Shockwaves Bend Light Around Transonic F-35C In Spectacular Images

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 19, 2023