F-35A Lightning II – Page 2

Feb- 2026 -

26 February

AI Flies on F-35 to Enhance Threat Response in Breakthrough Test

Lockheed Martin is giving the F-35 a new AI boost that sharpens threat detection and combat identification, helping pilots make faster decisions under pressure.

Jan- 2026 -

14 January

Air

Jodesz Gavilan

Northrop Grumman Hits 1,500 F-35 Center Fuselages Delivered

Northrop Grumman has delivered its 1,500th F-35 Lightning II center fuselage, highlighting its critical role in the global fighter program.

Dec- 2025 -

19 December

Air

Inder Singh Bisht

Finland Approves Major AMRAAM Purchase for Incoming F-35 Fleet

The Finnish government has approved the acquisition of AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles from the US.

17 December

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out First F-35A Jet for Finland

Lockheed Martin has launched the Finnish Defence Force’s first F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft in Fort Worth, Texas.

5 December

Air

Meteor missile mounted on the F-35A aircraft's internal weapons bay

Christine Casimiro

F-35A Moves Closer to Meteor Missile Integration After Key Ground Tests

The F-35A Lightning II fighter jet has completed ground-based integration tests with the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, moving the pair closer to operational use.

1 December

Air

Christine Casimiro

Pratt & Whitney Lands $1.6B US Navy Contract for F-35 Engine Support

The US Navy has awarded RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney an approximately $1.6-billion contract for support of the F135 engines, which power the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Oct- 2025 -

31 October

Air

Final assembly of JF-501 airframe (Finland's first F-35) rolled out of Lockheed Martin Fort Worth facility

Christine Casimiro

Lockheed Martin Completes Final Assembly of Finland’s First F-35

Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II has completed final assembly and been rolled out from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility in Texas.

24 October

Europe

Christine Casimiro

Kongsberg Opens Norwegian F-35 Maintenance Depot in Rygge

Kongsberg has opened a new maintenance depot in Rygge, Norway, supporting the nation’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft, over two years after the company first unveiled the project.

15 October

Air

Belgium’s first F-35 to arrive in country lands at Florennes Air Base (Photo: Belgian Air Force)

Rojoef Manuel

Belgium Air Force Accepts First F-35A Fighter Jets From Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin has delivered the Belgian Air Force’s first three F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft, marking a historic milestone in the NATO country’s air defense modernization as it transitions from aging F-16s to fifth-generation air power.

Aug- 2025 -

14 August

Air