The F-35 Fighter Is Making 1 Pretty Impressive Comeback

Summary and Key Points: The F-35 stealth fighter jet program saw significant developments in July after months of delays. The Pentagon, Lockheed Martin, and the F-35 Joint Program Office resumed deliveries of the aircraft following a temporary fix for TR-3 software issues.

-Greece also joined the F-35 program, ordering 20 F-35A jets, making it the 19th participant and strengthening Europe’s F-35 presence.

-U.S. Air Force F-35As intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft near Alaska, demonstrating their operational readiness. Additionally, Italian F-35s participated in joint training with Australia, underscoring their role in the Indo-Pacific. Over 1,000 F-35s have been delivered, with more than 3,500 ordered.

The F-35 Comeback Has Started 

After months of delays, the F-35 stealth fighter jet program is returning to strength. 

July was the most active month for the F-35 program in a long while, with several different developments across the globe. 

Deliveries, A New Member, Action Against Chinese and Russian Aircraft 

To begin with, the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin, and the F-35 Joint Program Office in July reached an agreement to resume deliveries of the stealth aircraft. Lingering issues with the TR-3 software update have been fixed, at least temporarily, and Lockheed Martin is once more delivering aircraft to program participants. 

Moreover, in July the State Department formally approved Greece’s bid to join the F-35 community as the 19th participant. Greece ordered 20 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets and has the option to purchase another 20 at a later date. Europe is now an F-35 bastion, with 12 out of the 19 participants of the program, and 575 fighter jets located on the continent. 

Further, U.S. Air Force F-35A fighter jets faced down Chinese and Russian aircraft. Specifically, on July 24, two F-35A Lightning II fighters identified and intercepted two Russian Tu-95 Bear and two Chinese Xian H-6 strategic bombers over the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. The F-35As operated alongside Canadian F/A-18 Hornets and American F-16 Fighting Falcons, showcasing their ability to seamlessly operate alongside other aircraft.

In addition, Italian F-35As and F-35Bs transited all the way to Australia to participate in joint training with the Royal Australian Air Force. It was an important show of unity in the Indo-Pacific. As a NATO member, Italy could be asked to contribute forces in the region in the event of a conflict between the United States and China.

The F-35 Lightning II is a multi-role stealth fighter jet. The fifth-generation aircraft comes in three versions: the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C. They are the same aircraft with slight differences. 

The F-35A is the conventional version that takes off and lands from regular runways. The F-35B is the Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing iteration that can take off and land like a helicopter, making it an excellent choice for expeditionary warfare. Finally, the F-35C is the carrier version of the aircraft and is designed to operate from aircraft carriers. 

Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 1,000 aircraft of all versions. Put together, the F-35 program has a total of 3,542 orders for aircraft. The F-35A version is by far the most popular, with over 2,660 aircraft. The U.S. Air Force remains the biggest customer with an order for 1,763 F-35As, and the U.S. military as a whole has ordered almost 2,500 aircraft of all three versions for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. 

About the Author: 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

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