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All posts tagged "F-35A"

F-35 Loaded and Ready

F-35 Loaded and Ready

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Biggest Air Force in the World Deepens F-35 Stealth Firepower with $240 Million Joint Strike Missiles

Key Points and Summary – The U.S. Air Force has awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace a $240.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for a second production...

Christian OrrDecember 20, 2025

The VMFA-121 was the first operational F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps, with its relocation to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni. The F-35B was developed to replace the Marine Corps' F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and EA- 6B Prowler. The Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems bring all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter, a modern bomber, and an adverse-weather, all-threat environment air support platform.

The VMFA-121 was the first operational F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps, with its relocation to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni. The F-35B was developed to replace the Marine Corps' F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and EA- 6B Prowler. The Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems bring all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter, a modern bomber, and an adverse-weather, all-threat environment air support platform.

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Why Can’t the U.S. Military’s Block 4 F-35 Stealth Fighter Work?

Key Points and Summary – Block 4 and Tech Refresh 3 are critical upgrades meant to keep the F-35 relevant for decades. -Even with...

Kris OsbornDecember 19, 2025

The 354th Fighter Wing conducts a 75-fighter jet formation at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2022, in honor of the U.S. Air Force’s 75th Anniversary. This capabilities demonstration included F-35A Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor aircraft from across Pacific Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gary Hilton)

The 354th Fighter Wing conducts a 75-fighter jet formation at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2022, in honor of the U.S. Air Force’s 75th Anniversary. This capabilities demonstration included F-35A Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor aircraft from across Pacific Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gary Hilton)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Largest ‘Stealth’ Air Force on Planet Earth Deepens F-35A Firepower with $240 Million Missiles

Key Points and Summary – The Air Force has approved a $240.9 million second production batch of Norway’s Joint Strike Missile, giving the F-35A...

Georgia GilholyDecember 19, 2025

An F-35A with the 461st Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, conducts a TR-3 AIM-120 live fire mission over the Pacific Test Range on January 22, 2025. The F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards is responsible for developmental testing of all three F-35 aircraft variants across the joint-services. (Courtesy Photo)

An F-35A with the 461st Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, conducts a TR-3 AIM-120 live fire mission over the Pacific Test Range on January 22, 2025. The F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards is responsible for developmental testing of all three F-35 aircraft variants across the joint-services. (Courtesy Photo)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Switzerland’s F-35 Fighter Cut Has a Message for Europe

Why Switzerland May Buy Fewer Than 36 F-35A Stealth Fighter Citing rising costs, Switzerland will truncate its order of 36 F-35A stealth fighter jets....

Caleb LarsonDecember 17, 2025

U.S. Air Force Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner performs aerial maneuvers during a demonstration at the Oshkosh AirVenture Airshow in Wisconsin, on July 25, 2025. The demonstration highlights the team’s mission to showcase the precision, agility, and combat-relevant capabilities of the F‑35A Lightning II and the professionalism of its Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Rupiper)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner performs aerial maneuvers during a demonstration at the Oshkosh AirVenture Airshow in Wisconsin, on July 25, 2025. The demonstration highlights the team’s mission to showcase the precision, agility, and combat-relevant capabilities of the F‑35A Lightning II and the professionalism of its Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Rupiper)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Europe Keeps Walking Away from the F-35 Fighter for Good Reason

Key Points and Summary – Switzerland is quietly scaling back its 2021 decision to buy 36 F-35As after Bern concluded it can no longer...

Reuben JohnsonDecember 17, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning ll assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, sits in a hangar at Lakeland Linder International Airport, Lakeland, Fla., following a aerobatic routine by the F-35A Lightning ll demonstration team at the Sun 'n Fun Holiday Flying Festival, Dec. 4, 2020. The Lightning II is a stealth-capable, multi-role attack fighter designed to penetrate the most hostile areas of the world without the threat of detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Codie Trimble)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning ll assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, sits in a hangar at Lakeland Linder International Airport, Lakeland, Fla., following a aerobatic routine by the F-35A Lightning ll demonstration team at the Sun 'n Fun Holiday Flying Festival, Dec. 4, 2020. The Lightning II is a stealth-capable, multi-role attack fighter designed to penetrate the most hostile areas of the world without the threat of detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Codie Trimble)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Just Flew Into More Trouble

Key Points and Summary – Switzerland is walking back its plan to buy 36 F-35A fighters, saying it will instead purchase only the “maximum...

Stephen SilverDecember 15, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, performs a strafing run during Haboob Havoc, April 24, 2024, over Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona. Haboob Havoc is a total force exercise that provides a way for pilots from various bases to demonstrate their skills across a diverse range of aircraft, including F-35 Lightning IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, while also testing their abilities in different mission sets such as dogfighting and gun runs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mason Hargrove)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, performs a strafing run during Haboob Havoc, April 24, 2024, over Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona. Haboob Havoc is a total force exercise that provides a way for pilots from various bases to demonstrate their skills across a diverse range of aircraft, including F-35 Lightning IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, while also testing their abilities in different mission sets such as dogfighting and gun runs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mason Hargrove)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

F-35 Fighter Now Armed with ‘No Escape’ Mach 4 Ramjet Meteor Missile

Key Points and Summary – New ground integration tests at Edwards AFB show the ramjet-powered Meteor BVRAAM can now “talk” to, fit inside, and...

Reuben JohnsonDecember 14, 2025

A U.S. Navy F-35A Lightning II with the U.S. Navy F-35C Airshow Demonstration Team performs an aerial demonstration over Rickenbacker International Airport during the Columbus Air Show, Aug. 24, 2025. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the show. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas)

A U.S. Navy F-35A Lightning II with the U.S. Navy F-35C Airshow Demonstration Team performs an aerial demonstration over Rickenbacker International Airport during the Columbus Air Show, Aug. 24, 2025. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the show. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35A Stealth Fighter Now Has a New ‘Nuclear’ Job

Key Points and Summary – In March 2024, the U.S. quietly pushed NATO’s nuclear posture into a new era by certifying the F-35A to...

Jack BuckbyDecember 8, 2025

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 conducts a low pass next to the Japanese Ship Izumo off the coast of Japan, Oct. 3, 2021. U.S. Marines and Sailors embarked aboard the Japanese Ship Izumo in support of the first ever F-35B Lightning II operations aboard a Japanese vessel. The U.S. and Japan continue to work closely together to broaden their operational capabilities, support the Treaty of mutual Cooperation and Security, and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Harmon)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 conducts a low pass next to the Japanese Ship Izumo off the coast of Japan, Oct. 3, 2021. U.S. Marines and Sailors embarked aboard the Japanese Ship Izumo in support of the first ever F-35B Lightning II operations aboard a Japanese vessel. The U.S. and Japan continue to work closely together to broaden their operational capabilities, support the Treaty of mutual Cooperation and Security, and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Harmon)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Japan’s Massive Fleet of 147 F-35 Fighters Has A Message for China’s Air Force

Key Points and Summary – Japan is going all-in on the F-35, expanding its order to 147 jets and becoming the largest Lightning II...

Steve BalestrieriNovember 28, 2025

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