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RAAF accepts three more F-35As

by Andrew McLaughlin
written by Andrew McLaughlin
A35-003 arrived at Luke Air Force base. *** Local Caption *** Australia’s Joint Strike Fighter program has taken another significant step forward with the acceptance of the next three Australian F-35A aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The three aircraft are joining Australia’s first two F-35A jets at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Royal Australian Air Force pilots and maintainers are currently training and instructing. A35-003 and A35-004 arrived at Luke Air Force Base today, and A35-005 will fly to Luke Air Force Base in the coming weeks.

(Defence)

The RAAF has formally accepted three more F-35As from Lockheed Martin at the Integrated Training Centre at Luke AFB in Arizona.

After rolling out and taking flight for the first time in December and January, F-35As A35-003, 004 and 005 were accepted into the ITC in early March. The new aircraft are the first JSF international partner aircraft to be delivered with the latest Block 3F operational flight program software load.

The RAAF’s first two F-35As which have been at Luke AFB for three years have recently been inducted into the USAF’s Ogden Logistics Center at Hill AFB in Utah to receive various structural, hardware and software upgrades to bring them up to the current standard.

Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander Darren Clare with A35-003, that arrived at Luke Air Force base. *** Local Caption *** Australia’s Joint Strike Fighter program has taken another significant step forward with the acceptance of the next three Australian F-35A aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The three aircraft are joining Australia’s first two F-35A jets at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Royal Australian Air Force pilots and maintainers are currently training and instructing.

3SQN CO WGCDR Darren Clare. (Defence)

“These latest aircraft are fitted with the program’s final software system, which unlocks the aircraft’s full war-fighting potential including weapons, mission systems and flight performance,” Defence Minister Marise Payne said in a statement.

“Australia now has five aircraft at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, USA, where our pilots are currently training. Five more aircraft are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018,” she added. “The stealthy, advanced F-35A is a step change in the Australian Defence Force’s capabilities, giving Australia an edge against the emergence of advanced capabilities in our region.”

The growing RAAF F-35 pilot and maintenance cadre from 3SQN are based at Luke AFB as elements of the combined 61st Fighter Squadron. As the 3SQN builds experience, it is expected to go through its first F-35A airworthiness board in August, before preparing to bring the first two aircraft home to RAAF Williamtown in December to commence Australian-specific validation and verification activities.

The RAAF has ordered 72 F-35As under Project AIR 6000 Phases 2A/2B which are scheduled to have been delivered by 2023 to replace the F/A-18A/B Hornet in service, and will possibly order up to 30 more aircraft under Phase 2C to replace the F/A-18F Super Hornets.

A35-003, A35-004 and A35-005 arrived at Luke Air Force base. *** Local Caption *** Australia’s Joint Strike Fighter program has taken another significant step forward with the acceptance of the next three Australian F-35A aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The three aircraft are joining Australia’s first two F-35A jets at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Royal Australian Air Force pilots and maintainers are currently training and instructing.

(Defence)

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