F-35 Archives

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Europe’s Most Ambitious Fighter Jet Just Collapsed — Now Eight German and Spanish Companies Are Building Their Own Without France

Europe's most ambitious fighter program is dead: the Franco-German FCAS collapsed after Paris and Berlin couldn't agree on control. Now eight German and Spanish...

Reuben JohnsonJune 15, 2026

150903-N-SS390-354 FALLON, Nev. (Sept. 3, 2015) F-35C Lightning IIs, assigned to the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, and an F/A-18E/F Super Hornets assigned to the Naval Aviation Warfighter Development Center (NAWDC) fly over Naval Air Station Fallon's (NASF) Range Training Complex. VFA 101, based out of Eglin Air Force Base, is conducting an F-35C cross-country visit to NASF. The purpose is to begin integration of F-35C with the Fallon Range Training Complex and work with NAWDC to refine tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) of F-35C as it integrates into the carrier air wing. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell/Released)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The F-35C’s Engine Exhaust Totals 3,600°F — USS Gerald R. Ford’s Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Would Melt Under Such Stress

The F-35C's engine exhaust reportedly hits 3,600°F — far hotter than the Ford's flight deck was built to take. So the $13 billion supercarrier...

Harry J. KazianisJune 14, 2026

U.S. Air Force Maj. Sean “Rambo” Loughlin, pilot of the F-35A Demonstration Team, performs aerial maneuvers at the Luke Days Airshow at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, March 21, 2026. The team travels worldwide to showcase the power and capabilities of the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter and its Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The F-35 Is the Most Expensive Weapon Ever Built. A New Report Says It Can Do Its Full Job Just 25% of the Time

A new GAO report finds the F-35 can perform all its assigned missions only about a quarter of the time — a readiness rate...

Harry J. KazianisJune 14, 2026

An Edwards AFB F-35A Lightning II fires an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile as part of Weapons Delivery Accuracy testing. The 461st Flight Test Squadron and F-35 Integrated Test Force completed WDA testing in early December, which concludes a large and important part of F-35 developmental test and evaluation. (Courtesy photo by Chad Bellay/Lockheed Martin)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Europe’s F-35 Stealth Fighter Are Testing Mach 4 ‘No Escape Zone’ Meteor Missile

A US Marine Corps F-35B flew the first Meteor missile tests — for America's allies. When integration completes, British and Italian F-35s will out-range...

Harry J. KazianisJune 12, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

F-47 NGAD Fighter Will Fly 1,000 Miles, Top Mach 2, and Cost $300 Million Each — America’s Bet to Beat China in the Air

America's F-47 sixth-generation fighter nearly died in 2024 over a $300-million-per-jet price tag. Now Boeing is building the first one in St. Louis against...

Harry J. KazianisJune 12, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Charles de Gaulle: The 42,000-Ton Nuclear Aircraft Carrier With A Construction Saga That Makes The F-35 And Ford-Class Look Easy

France's nuclear carrier took twelve years to build, lost her propeller in the Atlantic, and sailed six years on spares made for 1960s ships....

Harry J. KazianisJune 12, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Could The YF-23 Black Widow II Have Flown From Aircraft Carriers? Inside The NATF-23 The U.S. Navy Walked Away From

While the YF-23 fought for the Air Force contract, Northrop was drawing a carrier version to replace the F-14: folding wings, twin tails, canards,...

Harry J. KazianisJune 11, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Russia Dreamed Up the Su-75 Checkmate Stealth Fighter to Rival the F-35 — Russia Has Built 0 Operational Su-75 Units

Russia designed the Su-75 Checkmate, a single-engine 5th-generation stealth fighter, to rival the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35. Russia has built 0 operational Su-75 Checkmate...

Kris OsbornMay 15, 2026

An F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., sits in a hangar ahead of operations for the F-35 Lightning II TDY, Oct. 28, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas. The 62nd FS will be training with F-16s from the 149th Fighter Wing and the 301st Fighter Wing, along with T-38s from the 301st Fighter Wing. The multi-role capabilities of the F-35 allows them to perform missions which traditionally required numerous specialized aircraft. The complimentary air superiority capabilities of the F-35 will augment our air superiority fleet and ensure we continue to "own the skies" over future battlefields. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian G. Rhodes)

Trillions - 19FortyFive

Canada Was Going to Buy 88 F-35s — Today It’s Only Committed to 16 and Hedging on 14 More as Saab Pitches the Gripen Alternative

Canada committed in 2023 to buy 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters to replace its CF-18 fleet — today it has firmly committed to...

Georgia GilholyMay 8, 2026

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau, F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team pilot and commander, performs at the Airpower Over Hampton Roads Airshow 2025, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, April 27th, 2025. The F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration showcases the unmatched maneuverability of the airframe by executing a series of combat maneuvers to inspire Americans and their allies, and deter foreign adversaries. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Michael Bowman)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Air Force Just Approved $508 Million to Arm Its Tankers and Cargo Planes With Active Defense Against China’s Missiles

The U.S. Air Force has approved $508 million through 2031 to arm its KC-135 Stratotanker, C-5 Galaxy, KC-46 Pegasus, and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft...

Steve BalestrieriMay 7, 2026

19FortyFive

All posts tagged "F-35"

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Europe’s Most Ambitious Fighter Jet Just Collapsed — Now Eight German and Spanish Companies Are Building Their Own Without France

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The F-35C’s Engine Exhaust Totals 3,600°F — USS Gerald R. Ford’s Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Would Melt Under Such Stress

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The F-35 Is the Most Expensive Weapon Ever Built. A New Report Says It Can Do Its Full Job Just 25% of the Time

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Europe’s F-35 Stealth Fighter Are Testing Mach 4 ‘No Escape Zone’ Meteor Missile

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

F-47 NGAD Fighter Will Fly 1,000 Miles, Top Mach 2, and Cost $300 Million Each — America’s Bet to Beat China in the Air

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Charles de Gaulle: The 42,000-Ton Nuclear Aircraft Carrier With A Construction Saga That Makes The F-35 And Ford-Class Look Easy

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Could The YF-23 Black Widow II Have Flown From Aircraft Carriers? Inside The NATF-23 The U.S. Navy Walked Away From

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Russia Dreamed Up the Su-75 Checkmate Stealth Fighter to Rival the F-35 — Russia Has Built 0 Operational Su-75 Units

Trillions - 19FortyFive

Canada Was Going to Buy 88 F-35s — Today It’s Only Committed to 16 and Hedging on 14 More as Saab Pitches the Gripen Alternative

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Air Force Just Approved $508 Million to Arm Its Tankers and Cargo Planes With Active Defense Against China’s Missiles

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