F-35 Lightning II Program Status June 2017 The F-35 Program is a global effort. The U.S. works with eight partner nations to design and develop the F-35. Each partner nation has contributed funding to the F-35 program. F-35 U.S., international partner and Foreign Military Sales countries constitute a production program of record of nearly 3,200 aircraft produced beyond 2040. Australia, Italy, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and United States have taken delivery of F-35s and operate the aircraft today. Norway will receive their first in-country jets in 2017, joining Israel and Italy and the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan as operational F-35 bases outside the U.S. The Republic of Korea and Turkey receive their first F-35As in 2018. Australia Program of record: 100 F-35As In March 2017, Australia s two F-35As deployed from Luke AFB, Arizona, making their international debut at the Avalon Air Show in Australia. Sustainment planning is underway for the arrival of the first aircraft into Australia in 2018. The first two Australian F-35As are currently at Luke AFB for pilot and maintainer training, and the next eight aircraft for Australia are currently in production in Fort Worth. In 2014 and 2016, respectively, the U.S. DoD assigned Australia with F-35 heavy engine Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) for the Asia Pacific Region and heavy airframe MRO&U for the Southern Pacific. The U.S. government also assigned 64 of the first 65 components to Australia as a part of the regional repair assignments for 2021-2025 and beyond. The first cadre of Australian F-35 maintainers are in training at Luke AFB and four Royal Australian Air Force pilots are qualified to fly the F-35. Canada Program of record: 65 F-35As Canada continues its process to replace its current CF-18 fighter fleet. The first Canadian-built F-35A horizontal tail assembly flew on an F-35 in February 2014. The first set of F-35C outboard wings built by Canadian industry has been delivered to the F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Denmark Program of record: 27 F-35As In June 2016, Denmark government announced the selection of 27 F-35A aircraft to replace its F-16 fleet, with deliveries beginning in 2021. Danish industry contributes to production of the F-35 in the areas of advanced composites, aero structures, machine parts, logistics and wiring harnesses. The Danish Air Force contributed an F-16 pilot and maintenance personnel to support the F-35 flight test program at Edwards AFB, California, and completed their portion of the testing in December 2016.
Israel Program of record: 50 F-35As (FMS) In April 2017, three F-35A Adir were delivered to Nevatim AB, Israel, marking the second delivery to Israel and the first non-u.s. country to establish F-35 operational capability. Two F-35A Adir jets were delivered to Nevatim AB, Israel, in December 2016, marking the first F-35 deliveries to Israel. In November 2016, Israel announced intent to increase its F-35A order from 33 to 50 jets. In June 2016, Israel celebrated the rollout of aircraft AS-1, Israel s first F-35A Adir, from the Fort Worth production facility. The Israel Ministry of Defense signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the procurement of the first 19 F-35 aircraft on Oct. 7, 2010. A second LOA for 14 additional aircraft was signed in February 2015. Elbit Systems was selected as the sole source provider of the helmet, and Israel Aircraft Industries is standing up its F-35A outer-wing production line. Italy Program of record: 60 F-35As/30 F-35Bs In May 2017, BL-1, the first F-35B produced in Italy, rolled out of the Cameri Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO). Two F-35As, AL-5 and AL-6, were delivered from Cameri FACO to Amendola AB, Italy, in December 2016. In September 2016, Italian F-35A aircraft AL-4 joined the three other Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) F-35As at Luke AFB, Arizona, for multi-national pilot training. In February 2016, AL-1 became the first F-35A to transatlantic ferry from Cameri FACO to NAS Patuxent (PAX) River, Maryland. Italy rolled out its first Italian-built F-35A aircraft, AL-1, from Cameri FACO in March 2015, flew its first flight in September 2015 and delivered AL-1 in December 2015. In November 2014, the U.S. DoD assigned Italy with F-35 initial airframe MRO&U for the European In July 2013, F-35 assembly operations began at the Italian FACO facility in Cameri. In March 2012, Alenia Aermacchi delivered its first wing component for the F-35. Japan Program of record: 42 F-35As (FMS) AX-5, the first F-35A assembled in Japan, rolled out of the Nagoya FACO. In May 2017, the first two JASDF F-35A pilots completed their flight training program with the 944 th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Arizona. In January 2017, aircraft AX-2, Japan s second F-35A, is delivered to Luke AFB, Arizona, for pilot training and becomes the F-35 program s 200 th operational jet delivered. In November 2016, aircraft AX-1, Japan s first F-35A, is delivered to Luke AFB, Arizona, for pilot training.
In September 2016, Japan celebrated the rollout of aircraft AX-1, Japan s first F-35A, from the Fort Worth production facility. First deliveries of Japan F-35 in 2016 (LRIP 8) from the Fort Worth production facility, with subsequent deliveries to originate from the Nagoya FACO in 2017. First Japan-assembled F-35A components mate at the Nagoya FACO in December 2015. In November 2014, the U.S. DoD assigned Japan with F-35 airframe MRO&U for the Northern Pacific The U.S. and Japanese governments and industry worked closely to establish the F-35 FACO site at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Komaki South site in Nagoya, Japan. The government of Japan competitively selected the F-35 as Japan s next-generation frontline fighter in December 2011. Netherlands Program of record: 37 F-35As The two Dutch jets, AN-1 and AN-2, are currently at Edwards AFB, California, participating in the F-35 Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) program. In May/June 2016, two Dutch F-35s deployed from Edwards AFB to Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, for environmental testing and participation in RNLAF Open Days. Five of eight LRIP 11 production F-35As for the Netherlands are currently in production in Fort Worth and Italy. In September 2013, the Dutch government officially announced its selection of the F-35 to replace its current fleet of F-16 aircraft. Norway Program of record: 52 F-35As AM-5, Norway s fifth F-35A, was delivered in May 2017 to Luke AFB, Arizona, and the first Norwegian F-35s are slated to arrive in Norway in late 2017. In December 2016, the Norwegian Government has affirmed its commitment to procuring 52 F-35s. Currently, the Norwegian government has authorized funding for the procurement of 40 of 52 F-35s, and subsequent budget authorization will occur on an annual basis. In November 2014, the U.S. DoD assigned Norway with F-35 heavy engine MRO&U for the European Norwegian industry is contributing high-technology components for F-35 production areas of advanced composites, aero structures, communications and sensors. Republic of Korea Program of record: 40 F-35As (FMS) The Republic of Korea formally selected the F-35A for its F-X fighter acquisition program with a Letter of Offer and Availability (LOA) signed on Sept. 30, 2014. Initial deliveries are set for 2018, with ROKAF pilot training starting that same year at Luke AFB, Arizona. The first ROKAF F-35A, aircraft AW-1, is in production at the Fort Worth facility.
Turkey Program of record: 100 F-35As In October 2016, the Turkish Ministry of Defence announced approval to purchase an additional 24 aircraft, funding 30 of the 100 on its program of record. In November 2014, the U.S. DoD assigned Turkey with F-35 initial heavy engine MRO&U for the European In May 2014, the Turkish Ministry of Defence announced its purchase of its first two F-35As and reaffirmed Turkey's plans to eventually acquire 100 F-35As. Turkey declared F-35 industrial opportunities for Turkish industries are expected to reach $8 billion. Turkish industry is a second-source on the center fuselage and will deliver these components for the worldwide fleet of F-35s. United Kingdom Program of record: 138 F-35s In April 2017, BK-9, the U. K. s ninth F-35B was delivered to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. In June/July 2016, a U.K. F-35B and USMC F-35Bs deployed from MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, to Fairford Air Base, U.K., for participation in the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K. In November 2015, U.K. National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review reaffirmed the U.K. program of record of 138 F-35s. In February 2015, RAF 17 Reserve Squadron was designated the UK s OT&E squadron at Edwards AFB, California. In November 2014, the U.S. DoD assigned the U.K with F-35 airframe MRO&U for the European region if additional capacity is required beyond Italy s capability. BK-3, the third F-35B for the U.K. Ministry of Defence, was delivered to Eglin AFB, Florida, in June 2013. The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy plan to operate 138 F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft; the first two were delivered to the U.K. in 2012. United States Program of record for all services: 2,443 United States Air Force Program of record: 1,763 F-35As The United States Air Force flies the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing variant at Edwards AFB, California; Eglin, AFB, Florida; Hill AFB, Utah; Luke AFB, Arizona; and Nellis AFB, Nevada. In April/May 2017, F-35As from Hill AFB, Utah, deployed to RAF Lakenheath, England, for training exercises throughout Europe which included deployments to Estonia and Bulgaria.
In February 2017, F-35As from Hill AFB, Utah, participated in Red Flag 17-1 exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada; facing the most advanced aggressor aircraft and simulated threats available and recorded a record north of 20-to-1 for a kill-ratio and a 90 percent aircraft availability. The United States Air Force declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) at Hill AFB on Aug. 2, 2016. In June 2016, Hill AFB F-35A s deployed to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, for IOC mission tests. In January 2016, Luke AFB announced the F-35A will participate in the USAF Heritage Flight Program. Hill AFB received its first two jets in September 2015 and will become the first USAF F-35A operational base. Luke AFB received its first jet in March 2014, started pilot training in May 2015, and is the home of USAF and International F-35A pilot training. Nellis AFB received its first jet in 2014, participates in OT&E, and is home to F-35A Fighter Weapons School. Edwards AFB received its first operational test jet in 2011 and is the home of F-35A System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and OT&E. Eglin AFB received its first jet in 2011 and is the Integrated Training Center and home of F-35A and F-35C pilot training and maintenance training for all three variants. United States Marine Corps Program of record: 366 F-35Bs/67 F-35Cs The United States Marine Corps flies the F-35B, Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing variant at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina; MCAS Yuma, Arizona; NAS Patuxent (PAX) River, Maryland; and is permanently forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. May 2017, F-35B s from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, participate in Exercise Northern Edge 17 at JB Elmendorf. February 2017, 10 F-35Bs permanently forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The United States Marine Corps declared IOC at MCAS Yuma on July 31, 2015. MCAS Beaufort received its first jet in 2014 and is home to USMC pilot training. MCAS Yuma received its first jet in 2012 and is the home of the first USMC Operational Air Squadron. NAS PAX River received its first jet in 2010 and is home to the F-35B and F-35C SDD Integrated Test Force (ITF). United States Navy Program of record: 260 F-35Cs The United States Navy flies the F-35C Carrier Variant at Eglin AFB, Florida: NAS Patuxent (PAX) River, Maryland, and NAS Lemoore, California. The United States Navy is scheduled to declare IOC in late 2018 or early 2019. In January 2017, NAS Lemoore, California, received its first F-35Cs. Reinstated VFA-125 Rough Raiders and became the Navy s west coast Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-35C. In September 2016, The United States Navy hosted its first live-fire demonstration to successfully test the integration of F-35 with existing Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) architecture. Developmental Test (DT-III) was completed aboard the USS George Washington in August 2016, DT-II was completed in October 2015 aboard the USS Eisenhower, and DT-1 was completed in November 2014 aboard the USS Nimitz. All three tests were successful and completed earlier than scheduled.