F-35 fleet surpasses one million flight hours
In a boost for Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has announced that the global F-35 fleet has surpassed one million flight hours, underscoring the programme’s scale and pivotal role in ensuring air superiority for the United States and its allies worldwide.
Lieutenant General Michael Schmidt, Programme Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Programme Office, said: “Reaching one million flight hours is a monumental achievement for the F-35 programme. It highlights the unwavering dedication of our pilots, maintainers, industry partners, and international allies.
“This milestone not only attests to the F-35’s unmatched capabilities but also to the resilience and commitment of all involved. As we expand the fleet and enhance its capabilities, we ensure that current and future warfighters have the most advanced, reliable, and effective tools to protect our nations,” he added.
The one million flight hours encompass a range of operations, including combat missions flown by all F-35 variants. Notably, the F-35C variant was deployed in combat for the first time in November 2024, successfully striking targets in contested airspace. This achievement highlights the F-35’s versatility and effectiveness in diverse operational scenarios.
Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II programme at Lockheed Martin, stated: “The F-35 is the backbone of the allied force, enabling peace through strength in the 21st century. We remain focused on enhancing the F-35’s capabilities to stay ahead of emerging threats.”
With over 1,100 aircraft delivered globally, the F-35 programme continues to grow. The fleet now operates in 16 services across 20 countries.
The focus is now on accumulating the next million flight hours, ensuring that the F-35 maintains its role as the cornerstone of air dominance. Future enhancements include capabilities such as controlling drones, including the US Air Force’s forthcoming fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Image: The F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing variant is an agile, versatile, high-performance 9g multirole fighter that provides the US Air Force and its allies worldwide with unique capability and unprecedented situational awareness. Credit: Liz Lutz/Lockheed Martin
