Citat:Few aircraft in history are as controversial as Lockheed Martin’s Joint Strike Fighter — the F-35 Lightning II. This aircraft, projected to cost the United States more than $2 trillion dollars over its six-plus decades of service, saw repeated cost overruns, production delays, and technical setbacks over the 17 years since it first took to the sky, and today, you don’t have to go far to find someone calling this seemingly troubled fighter a failure.
But this perception doesn't reflect reality... And there's good reason for that.
Australija dobila poslednja tri
Last delivery of RAAF F-35As Citat:On 18 December 2024, the last three Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) were delivered to RAAF Williamtown (NSW).
Just a little over six years after the first F-35A was delivered to RAAF Williamtown. The three aircraft, serials A35-068, A35-069 and A35-071, all 75 Squadron markings, touched down in this order after a long flight from Hawaii. Starting late November 2024, the last nine F-35As were delivered in three groups of three aircraft each.
The RAAF ordered 72 F-35As for three operational squadrons and one training squadron at RAAF Williamtown (NSW) and RAAF Tindal (NT).
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/last-delivery-of-raaf-f-35as
VMFA-314 F-35Cs Return From Combat With Some Interesting Bomb Markings
The bomb markings on the F-35Cs seem to suggest the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 carried out their strikes on Houthi using the JSOW glide bombs too.
The “Black Knights” of VMFA-314 returned to their home base with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar following an eventful five-month deployment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet AOR (areas of responsibility), on Dec. 14, 2024.
According to a press release by the 3rd MAW:
The Black Knights played an instrumental role in supporting U.S. Central Command objectives, participating in dual-carrier operations with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and supported critical efforts to degrade Iranian-backed capabilities, ensuring the safety of deployed U.S. Forces and deterring regional escalation.
In fact, on Nov. 9-10, 2024, the Black Knights’ F-35Cs conducted multiple strikes on Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
The facilities housed conventional weapons, including anti-ship missiles that the Iranian-backed Houthis used to target U.S. and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
“The F-35C demonstrated its warfighting advantage by transiting contested airspace and striking targets in the heart of Houthi territory over multiple days,” stated Lt. Col. Jeffrey “Wiki” Davis, commanding officer of VMFA-314. “My Marines are honored to be first to fight with the F-35C.”
“The offensive and defensive capabilities of the F-35C absolutely enhance our air wing’s striking arm,” said Capt. Gerald “Dutch” Tritz, commander, CVW 9. “The now battle-tested Air Wing of the Future has proven itself a game changer across all carrier air wing missions.”
^^A prva dva im stigla u bazu Ebbing gde ce se obavljati obuka
Obuka im pocinje od sledeceg meseca
Citat:Poland’s first two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs aircraft arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on Dec. 23. This event initiates a new chapter in the F-35 Foreign Military Sales training program.
Training for Polish pilots at Ebbing is scheduled to commence in January 2025. The Air Force’s 85th Fighter Group, stationed at Ebbing, will conduct the F-35 training program. Ebbing ANGB was selected for the program in 2023, surpassing other potential sites like Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan.
https://alert5.com/2024/12/25/ebbing-angb-welcomes.....g-program/
Maroko je zainteresovan za 32 F-35
Morocco on the verge of an F-35s deal, Israeli sources say https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/12/30/morocco-o.....urces-say/ Morocco Becomes First African Country to Acquire American F-35 Fighter Jets Citat:The U.S Department of Defense will formalize an agreement for Morocco to acquire its first ever Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets within the coming months, making Morocco the only African country to be equipped with a massive fleet of 32 fifth-generation American stealth aircraft, according to the Israeli outlet “Identité Juive.”
According to military experts, Moroccan and Israeli military officials negotiated the sale of the F-35 Lightning II bomber from 2020 to 2022. Following a landmark meeting in November 2021 between Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Moroccan counterpart, Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco sought Israel’s support in expediting this purchase.
Morocco’s decision is driven by escalating political tensions with Algeria and the Polisario Front. Morocco reportedly turned to Tel Aviv for assistance in facilitating the acquisition of these advanced aircraft from the U.S. military.
The purchase and maintenance of the fleet of 32 F-35 jets over a 45-year period will cost Morocco approximately USD 17 billion.
https://www.barlamantoday.com/2024/12/30/morocco-b.....hter-jets/
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth $11.76 billion for the production and delivery of 145 F-35 fighter jets, affirming the program’s critical role in U.S. and allied defense despite ongoing criticisms.
The contract modification includes orders for 48 F-35A jets for the U.S. Air Force, 16 F-35B and five F-35C jets for the Marine Corps, and 14 F-35C jets for the Navy. Additionally, 15 F-35A and one F-35B aircraft will go to non-U.S. Department of Defense program partners, while 39 F-35A and seven F-35B jets are allocated for Foreign Military Sales customers.
https://defence-blog.com/pentagon-orders-145-f-35-jets-despite-musks-criticism/
Danska dobila jos tri komada
Citat:Denmark’s Ministry of Defense has announced the delivery of 3 F-35 fighter jets to Denmark yesterday.
So far, a total of 11 out of 17 have been delivered to Denmark, with the last 6 F-35s remaining at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona (U.S.) until pilot and technician training can be completed.
https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1878743004032225719/photo/1
Kenguri pazare dzebanu
Australia acquires F-35 APEX armor piercing ammunition from Nammo Citat: Australia has signed a contract to equip its F-35A jets with 25mm PGU-47/U APEX ammunition from Norwegian-Finnish manufacturer Nammo, according to a company statement.
The deal is valued at approximately AUD $22.9 million ($14.2 million US), a spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Defence disclosed to Breaking Defense in a statement today, after Nammo recently announced the order. In December 2024 Australia received a final tranche of 9 F-35A jets to complete a fleet of 72 aircraft.
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/australia-acqu.....rom-nammo/
