A full-scale mockup of the F-35 Lightning II is set to be one of the highlights of the Canberra Airport Open Day on Sunday, marking the first ‘visit’ by the aircraft expected to replace the RAAF’s F/A-18A/B classic Hornet fleet to the nation’s capital.
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 mockup is no stranger to Australia, having been on display at recent Australian International Airshows at Avalon, while on this most current visit it has already been a highlight of the Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow held at Point Cook in early March, before being used as a backdrop at a ceremony on Monday to mark the delivery of the first Australian-built F-35 vertical tail ship-set, assembled by Marand in Melbourne.
The visit comes as the federal government contemplates ordering up to a further 58 F-35s, on top of the 14 already approved, to replace the RAAF’s classic Hornets. A decision is expected in coming weeks.
Lockheed Martin Australia says it is the first local defence prime contractor to participate in the Canberra Airport Open Day, which is expected to attract 15,000 visitors. Further details of the open day can be found here.
