The F-35 Global Fleet Achieves Milestone with 1 Million Flight Hours

Lockheed Martin's F-35 Global Fleet Reaches 1 Million Flight Hours

In a significant developmental milestone, Lockheed Martin has announced that its global F-35 fleet has successfully surpassed 1 million flight hours. This impressive achievement serves as a testament to the resilience and reliability of the F-35 program, bolstering America's military capabilities alongside its allies. The milestone underscores the commitment and hard work of countless individuals involved in the program, including pilots, maintainers, and various industry partners.

Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, stated, "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 partners in foreign military sales. 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 the F-35 continues to evolve and expand its global footprint, this accomplishment reflects the aircraft's pivotal role in ensuring air dominance and enabling allied forces to maintain peace through strength. The program has not only achieved significant advancements but has also marked numerous unprecedented firsts in aviation history with its cutting-edge technology.

Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the aircraft's importance by stating, "The F-35 is the backbone of the allied force, enabling peace through strength in the 21st century. 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."

Included in the reported 1 million flight hours are combat operations executed by all variants of the F-35. The F-35C variant, newly deployed in combat for the first time in November 2024, successfully engaged targets in contested airspace, further showcasing the fleet’s operational readiness.

Looking ahead, the F-35 team is now focused on the next monumental goal of flying an additional 1 million hours, propelled by the growing fleet of over 1,100 jets worldwide. The commitment to maintaining air superiority and the central role of the F-35 in integrating with both fourth and fifth generation platforms is clear.

Furthermore, the system's capability to control drones and enhance operations with the U.S. Air Force's future fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft demonstrates the F-35's adaptability and forward-thinking design. According to McIntosh, "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."

As Lockheed Martin continues to push the boundaries of aviation technology, the F-35 program stands as a symbol of innovation and excellence in the aerospace sector. With its continued advancements and strategic developments, it firmly positions itself as an indispensable asset in modern warfare for its users.

For more information on Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program and other innovations, visit LockheedMartin.com.