F-35s for Australia reach IOC milestone
Australia has become the seventh country to declare IOC for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multirole fighter aircraft.
‘This IOC ushers in a new era of Australian air power that gives the RAAF [Royal Australian Air Force] transformational and game-changing capabilities,’ Joe North, Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive, declared in a 28 December statement.
The RAAF ordered 72 F-35As for $5 billion through the AIR 6000 programme to replace F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft. It took delivery of the first pair in 2014.
The F-35A fleet is expected to reach FOC for the RAAF by 2023. An 18-aircraft option in the contract is also expected to be exercised, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
Australia currently has a fleet of 33 F-35As, and RAAF crews have surpassed more than 8,780 flight hours to date, with more than 45 pilots and 600 maintenance personnel supporting the fleet.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Sikorsky advances Black Hawk modernisation with new engine ground tests
The UH-60 helicopter ground run test of the T901 engine is the first in a set of tests for boosting the helicopter’s range and lift capacity. The first flight of the improved engine Black Hawk is anticipated for later in 2025.
-
Third Australian Triton UAS completes testing
Australia received its first MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in August last year with another two expected to be delivered this year.
-
US Navy’s next-generation sensor for Super Hornets achieves Initial Operating Capability
The full rate production decision is scheduled for first-half 2025 and this will authorise the US Navy (USN) to fully outfit its carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons with InfraRed Search-and-Track (IRST) Block II.
-
USAF conducts first F-16 Block 70 flight of L3Harris’ Viper Shield
The Viper Shield electronic warfare suite was tested by the US Air Force’s 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, with L3Harris aiming for deliveries of the system to international customers by late 2025.