Lockheed Martin has announced the global F-35 fleet has surpassed one million flight hours.
The defence contractor said the milestone demonstrated the program’s scale and capability in maintaining air dominance for the US and allied forces worldwide.
“Reaching 1 million flight hours is a monumental achievement for the F-35 program. It highlights the unwavering dedication of our pilots, maintainers, industry partners and our international partners and foreign military sales customers,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office.
“This milestone is not just a testament to the F-35’s unmatched capability, but also to the resilience and commitment of everyone involved in this program. As we continue to expand the fleet and advance the F-35’s capabilities, we are ensuring the warfighters of today and tomorrow have the most advanced, reliable, and effective tool to protect our nations,” he said.
The milestone includes combat operations completed by all F-35 variants, with the F-35C carrier variant first deployed in combat in November 2024.
Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin, described the aircraft’s strategic importance.
“The F-35 is the backbone of the allied force, enabling peace through strength in the 21st century,” said McIntosh.
“As we look to the future, we are focused on continuing to increase the capabilities of the F-35 to ensure we stay ahead of adversarial threats.”
The global F-35 fleet now includes more than 1,100 aircraft.
Future development will focus on the F-35’s compatibility with other platforms including 4th and 5th generation aircraft and unmanned systems such as the US Air Force’s planned Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
“Not only is it the world’s most advanced fighter jet, the F-35 also makes those fighting with it better by connecting the battlespace, ensuring the warfighter gets home safely,” McIntosh said.
