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
F-35A (Project Air 6000 Phase 2A/B) [Australia]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
-
France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage
Tensions on the programme have long simmered, with Airbus and Dassault recently clashing over workshare in June ahead of the Paris Air Show. The sixth-generation fighter programme is due to replace Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon jets beginning in 2040.
-
US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk
The trainer aircraft recently completed the second round of extreme weather trials after enduring icy, windy and sunny conditions.
-
US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The contract modification, awarded to Boeing, is worth $61.2 million and will support the US Navy’s (USN's) evolution of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft as continued upgrades are made to boost its capabilities and lethality.
-
Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production
The UK Ministry of Defence remains resolute that the Typhoon sits at the heart of the country’s air defence capabilities and is focused on the aircraft’s potential export orders, despite its continued focus on F-35 procurement.