Advancements in military aviation: F-35 milestones and new unmanned fighters
The US Air Force has recently marked significant milestones in military aviation, including the F-35 Lightning II surpassing one million flight hours and the introduction of its first unmanned fighter aircraft prototypes.
F-35 Lightning II Achievements
Lockheed Martin's F-35 fleet has collectively exceeded one million flight hours, encompassing operations across all variants—F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C (eg, the conventional takeoff and landing system for the Air Force, the short-takeoff variant for the Marine Corps, and the aircraft-carrier-launched Navy type), as reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine.
This milestone may demonstrate improving reliability in the platform. Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), stated that this achievement "highlights the unwavering dedication of our pilots, maintainers, industry partners, and our international partners and foreign military sales customers."
In tandem with this operational milestone, Lockheed Martin announced that the unit price for the latest lot of F-35 fighters (Lot 18) will remain below the rate of inflation. While specific pricing details were not disclosed, a "handshake deal" valued at $11.8 billion for 145 aircraft was reached in November 2024, covering aspects such as spares and engineering but excluding engines. The finalized contract, expected in the second quarter of 2025, aims to maintain cost-effectiveness amidst rising material and labor costs.
Introduction of Unmanned Fighter Prototypes
Meanwhile, Air & Space Forces separately reports the Air Force has designated its first two collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) prototypes as unmanned fighters: the YFQ-42A by General Atomics and the YFQ-44A by Anduril Industries. This marks the first use of the "Unmanned Fighter" designation by the USAF. The Y prefix indicates prototype status, F denotes fighter, and Q signifies unmanned aircraft.
These CCAs are designed to operate alongside manned fighters, enhancing combat capabilities through human-machine teaming. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin emphasized that this development signifies a new chapter in aerial warfare, with the prototypes expected to be ready for flight this summer.
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