F-35 Lightning II

Oct- 2026 -

14 October

Air

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, takes off from Burlington International Airport in South Burlington, VT, March 11, 2026. The jets took off for routine training to ensure mission readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Raymond LaChance)

US Reaffirms Conditions for Turkey’s F-35 Jet Transfer

The US is in continuous discussions to supply F-35 combat aircraft to Turkey, though conditions tied to Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems remain the central hurdle.

11 October

Air

Christine Casimiro

BAE Systems to Equip F-35 Lots 20 to 22 With EW Suites

BAE Systems has secured a contract from Lockheed Martin to provide electronic warfare suites for F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Lots 20 to 22.

5 October

Air

A F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Rojoef Manuel

Finland Accepts First F-35 Jets From US

The Finnish Air Force has formally welcomed its first two F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi, marking the start of in-country integration of a 64-platform order from US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

5 October

Americas

Northrop Grumman uses advanced manufacturing technologies to streamline F-35 Lightning II production. Photo: Northrop Grumman

Samantha Alexa

AI Takes Hours Out of F-35 Production at Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is putting AI to work on the F-35 Lightning II production line, using AI-powered robotics and quality-control systems to speed up manufacturing.

Sep- 2026 -

24 September

Air

No 3 Squadron Joint Strike fighters A35-09 and A35-11 taxi out for a night sortie from RAAF Base Williamtown. *** Local Caption *** Two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft from No. 3 Squadron conducted night flying at RAAF Base Williamtown as part of pilot familiarisation training.

Rojoef Manuel

US-Bound Australian F-35 Parts End Up in China After Shipping Mishap

Chinese authorities have taken possession of F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft components after a shipment was rerouted to Hong Kong during transit from Australia.

21 September

Europe

Christine Casimiro

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out Germany’s First F-35A Lightning II

Germany’s first of 35 F-35A Lightning II fighters has been presented to the German government at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

18 September

Air

An F-35A, in flight above the Mojave Desert in California, January 6, 2023. A developmental test team from the 461st Flight Test Squadron conducted the first flight of an F-35 in the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) configuration at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The 50-minute flight, which took the jet to 35,000 feet at speeds just shy of the speed of sound above the desert, marked the start of an extensive flight test campaign. TR-3 provides the computational horsepower to support modernized Block 4 capabilities. The F-35 Joint Program Office is the Department of Defense's focal point for the 5th-generation strike aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and our allies. The F-35 is the premier multi-mission, 5th-generation weapon system. Its ability to collect, analyze and share data is a force multiplier that enhances all assets in the battle space: with stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity, and range. The F-35 has been operational since July 2015 and is the most lethal, survivable, and interoperable fighter aircraft ever built.

Rojoef Manuel

US Greenlights $24.3B Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia

The US State Department has approved a foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia of 48 F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft and ancillary equipment valued at up to $24.3 billion.

7 September

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Patria Completes Finland’s First Locally Built F-35 Jet Engine

Patria has completed assembly of the initial F135 propulsion system that will power the Finnish Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II, marking a key milestone in the military’s fifth-generation combat aircraft program.

Aug- 2026 -

11 August

Air

Bea Castañeda

EA-18G Growler: The Electronic Warfare Fighter Clearing the Way

No aircraft dominates the electromagnetic spectrum like the Growler. This guide explains how it jams radars, disrupts communications, and enables air superiority on the modern battlefield.

8 August

Air

Bea Castañeda

Dassault Rafale: France’s Independent Answer to Modern Air Power

Once developed primarily for France's armed forces, the Dassault Rafale has become one of the world's most sought-after fighter aircraft. This guide explains its design, capabilities, and expanding global operator base.

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