Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced that the global F-35 fleet has surpassed 1 million flight hours, further proof of the program’s size and strength in ensuring America’s warfighter and those of our allies maintain air dominance around the world.
“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.”
Throughout the 1 million hours flown, the F-35 team has significantly enhanced the capabilities of the F-35 and achieved many unprecedented aviation firsts with the world’s most advanced fighter 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 targets in contested airspace.
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.
