Global F-35 Fleet Hits 1 Million Flight Hours Milestone
Lockheed Martin announced on March 3 that the F-35 Lightnings it builds have now reached a combined total of 1 million flight hours across all models and users, inclusive of testing and operational flights.
“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.”
As of February, the F-35 is now operated by 16 services, with Finland, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece and Romania among the nations that have signed orders for the purchase of the stealthy aircraft.
“The F-35 is the backbone of the allied force, enabling peace through strength in the 21st century,” said Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin. “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 1 million flight hours includes combat operations now completed by all F-35 variants following the F-35C being deployed in combat for the first time in November 2024, successfully striking Houthi targets in Yemen.
In a press release announcing the milestone, Lockheed Martin added:
“The F-35 team is now focused on the next 1 million hours to be flown by the growing global fleet of more than 1,100 jets, ensuring the F-35 maintains its air superiority role and remains the cornerstone of air dominance as it works in tandem with other 4th, 5th and next-gen platforms. This includes the capability to control drones, including the U.S. Air Force’s future fleet of 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 added.