Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II News

Reuters • Nayera Abdallah

Trump Unveils F-55 Twin-Engine F-35 Variant and F-22 Super Upgrade in Qatar

In a Doha speech, President Trump said the Pentagon is studying development of a twin-engine F-55 based on the F-35, alongside ‘super upgrades’ for the F-35 and F-22, to bolster Boeing’s NGAD-derived F-47 program, signaling potential shifts in U.S. fighter procurement strategies.

2025-05-15T02:58:50.321574-07:00

The War Zone

GA-ASI’s YFQ-42A Enters Ground Testing as USAF CCA Prototype

2025-05-19T14:14:44.487539-07:00

The War Zone

USAF to Repatriate F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath as Base Shifts to All-F-35

2025-05-21T10:39:37.244223-07:00

Air & Space Forces Mag

USAF Begins Ground Testing of Anduril YFQ-44A and GA-ASI YFQ-42A CCA Prototypes

2025-05-01T06:26:30.182281-07:00

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II News Timeline

Janes

JASDF Deploys F-35A Lightning IIs to Northern Coast to Bolster Air Defense The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has deployed a contingent of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters to bases along its northern coastline, enhancing air defense posture in the region. This forward deployment underscores Japan’s commitment to maintaining rapid response capability in its remote northern regions.

2025-05-30T06:18:21.740445-07:00

JASDF Deploys F-35A Lightning IIs to Northern Coast to Bolster Air Defense

Breaking Defense

Lockheed Martin Eyes Pilot-Optional F-35 Autonomy in 5th-Generation Plus Upgrade Lockheed Martin plans to offer optionally manned autonomy for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as part of a “fifth-generation-plus” capability package, CEO Jim Taiclet said. Leveraging autonomy developments from its sixth-generation fighter work, the company could remove the pilot over a relatively modest development timeframe.

2025-05-28T13:26:21.267478-07:00

Lockheed Martin Eyes Pilot-Optional F-35 Autonomy in 5th-Generation Plus Upgrade

Air & Space Forces Mag

Florida ANG’s 125th Fighter Wing Preps for F-35 Transition with Pilot Training and Maintenance Upgrades The Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing has begun pilot training and implemented on-site maintenance upgrades as it phases out its F-15C Eagles in favor of F-35 Lightning IIs. The initiative includes embedded sustainment capabilities to accelerate squadron readiness ahead of full operational conversion.

2025-05-27T16:03:28.765479-07:00

Florida ANG’s 125th Fighter Wing Preps for F-35 Transition with Pilot Training and Maintenance Upgrades

Air & Space Forces Mag

USAF Must Rapidly Expand F-35 Fleet to Counter China’s 5th-Gen Surge As China accelerates deployment of J-20 and next-generation stealth fighters, the US Air Force risks being outmatched. Service leaders must urgently scale up F-35 acquisitions and basing options to maintain stealth capability advantages, close the widening fifth-generation gap and deter adversary air operations.

2025-05-23T13:20:44.982268-07:00

USAF Must Rapidly Expand F-35 Fleet to Counter China’s 5th-Gen Surge

DefenseNews.com

Report finds maintenance costs set to soar as militaries field advanced jets A new study forecasts steep increases in maintenance spending as militaries worldwide integrate next-generation fighters such as the F-35, whose stealth materials and complex systems require more frequent inspections and specialized repairs. This trend will pressure defense budgets and challenge existing MRO infrastructure.

2025-05-23T12:33:48.067999-07:00

Report finds maintenance costs set to soar as militaries field advanced jets

The War Zone

USAF to Repatriate F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath as Base Shifts to All-F-35 The US Air Force will repatriate its F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath following the stand-up of two F-35A Lightning II squadrons. The move will reposition the 48th Fighter Wing as an all-F-35 base and enable recapitalization of the aging strike fleet in the US.

2025-05-21T10:39:37.244223-07:00

USAF to Repatriate F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath as Base Shifts to All-F-35

Aviation Week

JASDF Receives First F-35A Lightning IIs Upgraded with TR-3 Refresh Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force has taken delivery of its first F-35A Lightning II fighters configured with Lockheed Martin’s Technical Refresh-3 upgrade, kicking off its transition to the TR-3 standard. These initial TR-3 jets mark the start of JASDF’s broader fleet modernization plan.

2025-05-21T09:35:50.763758-07:00

JASDF Receives First F-35A Lightning IIs Upgraded with TR-3 Refresh

The War Zone

GA-ASI’s YFQ-42A Enters Ground Testing as USAF CCA Prototype General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has begun ground testing of its YFQ-42A, the third uncrewed jet and production-representative test vehicle for the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. Ground tests started May 7 in Poway, California, ahead of a planned first flight later this summer.

2025-05-19T14:14:44.487539-07:00

GA-ASI’s YFQ-42A Enters Ground Testing as USAF CCA Prototype

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Hype's section on the F-35 provides a curated news feed tracking the progress, deployments, and evolving capabilities of this pivotal stealth fighter program. With a focus on technological advancements, global partnerships, and operational updates, our coverage offers a comprehensive look at the F-35 as a cornerstone of modern military aviation.