F-35 Global Fleet Dominates the Sky, Surpasses 1 Million Flight Hours
Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] F-35 fleet has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1 million flight hours, demonstrating the program's extensive reach in maintaining global air dominance. The achievement includes the first combat operations of all F-35 variants, with the F-35C completing its inaugural combat mission in November 2024.
The global fleet now comprises over 1,100 jets, with the F-35 team focusing on expanding capabilities to counter adversarial threats. The aircraft's advanced features include the ability to control drones, including integration with the U.S. Air Force's future Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet.
Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer, emphasized this milestone's significance in showcasing the aircraft's unmatched capability and the program's resilience. The F-35 continues to serve as the backbone of allied forces, connecting the battlespace and ensuring air superiority in coordination with 4th, 5th, and next-gen platforms.
La flotta F-35 di Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] ha raggiunto un traguardo significativo superando 1 milione di ore di volo, dimostrando l'ampia portata del programma nel mantenere la dominanza aerea globale. Questo risultato include le prime operazioni di combattimento di tutte le varianti dell'F-35, con l'F-35C che ha completato la sua missione di combattimento inaugurale nel novembre 2024.
La flotta globale comprende ora oltre 1.100 aerei, con il team F-35 che si concentra sull'espansione delle capacità per contrastare le minacce avversarie. Le caratteristiche avanzate dell'aereo includono la capacità di controllare droni, compresa l'integrazione con la futura flotta di aerei da combattimento collaborativi dell'Air Force degli Stati Uniti.
Il tenente generale Michael Schmidt, Direttore del Programma, ha sottolineato l'importanza di questo traguardo nel dimostrare la capacità senza pari dell'aereo e la resilienza del programma. L'F-35 continua a servire come spina dorsale delle forze alleate, collegando il campo di battaglia e garantendo la superiorità aerea in coordinamento con piattaforme di 4a, 5a e di nuova generazione.
La flota F-35 de Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] ha alcanzado un hito significativo al superar 1 millón de horas de vuelo, demostrando el amplio alcance del programa en el mantenimiento de la dominación aérea global. Este logro incluye las primeras operaciones de combate de todas las variantes del F-35, siendo el F-35C el que completó su misión de combate inaugural en noviembre de 2024.
La flota global ahora comprende más de 1.100 aviones, con el equipo del F-35 centrado en expandir las capacidades para contrarrestar amenazas adversarias. Las características avanzadas de la aeronave incluyen la capacidad de controlar drones, incluida la integración con la futura flota de Aviones de Combate Colaborativos de la Fuerza Aérea de EE. UU.
El teniente general Michael Schmidt, Oficial Ejecutivo del Programa, enfatizó la importancia de este hito al mostrar la capacidad incomparable de la aeronave y la resiliencia del programa. El F-35 sigue siendo la columna vertebral de las fuerzas aliadas, conectando el campo de batalla y asegurando la superioridad aérea en coordinación con plataformas de 4ª, 5ª y de próxima generación.
록히드 마틴의 [NYSE: LMT] F-35 기체가 100만 비행 시간을 초과하여 중요한 이정표를 달성했습니다. 이는 전 세계 공중 우위를 유지하는 프로그램의 광범위한 도달 범위를 보여줍니다. 이 성과에는 모든 F-35 변형의 첫 전투 작전이 포함되며, F-35C는 2024년 11월에 첫 전투 임무를 완료했습니다.
현재 글로벌 기체는 1,100대 이상의 항공기로 구성되어 있으며, F-35 팀은 적대적인 위협에 대응하기 위한 능력 확장에 집중하고 있습니다. 이 항공기의 고급 기능에는 드론을 제어하는 능력이 포함되며, 미국 공군의 미래 협력 전투기와의 통합도 포함됩니다.
마이클 슈미트 중장은 이 이정표의 중요성을 강조하며 항공기의 비할 데 없는 능력과 프로그램의 회복력을 보여줍니다. F-35는 계속해서 동맹군의 중추 역할을 하며 전투 공간을 연결하고 4세대, 5세대, 차세대 플랫폼과의 협력을 통해 공중 우위를 보장합니다.
La flotte F-35 de Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a atteint une étape importante en dépassant 1 million d'heures de vol, démontrant l'ampleur du programme dans le maintien de la domination aérienne mondiale. Cet accomplissement inclut les premières opérations de combat de toutes les variantes du F-35, le F-35C ayant effectué sa première mission de combat en novembre 2024.
La flotte mondiale comprend désormais plus de 1 100 avions, l'équipe F-35 se concentrant sur l'expansion des capacités pour contrer les menaces adverses. Les caractéristiques avancées de l'avion comprennent la capacité de contrôler des drones, y compris l'intégration avec la future flotte d'avions de combat collaboratifs de l'US Air Force.
Le lieutenant-général Michael Schmidt, directeur exécutif du programme, a souligné l'importance de cette étape pour démontrer la capacité inégalée de l'avion et la résilience du programme. Le F-35 continue de servir de colonne vertébrale aux forces alliées, reliant le champ de bataille et garantissant la supériorité aérienne en coordination avec les plateformes de 4e, 5e et de nouvelle génération.
Die F-35-Flotte von Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] hat einen bedeutenden Meilenstein erreicht, indem sie 1 Million Flugstunden überschreitet und damit die umfassende Reichweite des Programms zur Aufrechterhaltung der globalen Luftüberlegenheit demonstriert. Zu diesem Erfolg gehören die ersten Kampfoperationen aller F-35-Varianten, wobei die F-35C im November 2024 ihre erste Kampfmission abgeschlossen hat.
Die globale Flotte umfasst nun über 1.100 Jets, wobei das F-35-Team darauf abzielt, die Fähigkeiten zur Bekämpfung feindlicher Bedrohungen zu erweitern. Zu den fortschrittlichen Merkmalen des Flugzeugs gehört die Fähigkeit, Drohnen zu steuern, einschließlich der Integration mit der zukünftigen Flotte von Kooperativen Kampfflugzeugen der US-Luftwaffe.
Generalleutnant Michael Schmidt, Programm-Exekutivdirektor, betonte die Bedeutung dieses Meilensteins, um die unvergleichliche Fähigkeit des Flugzeugs und die Resilienz des Programms zu zeigen. Der F-35 dient weiterhin als Rückgrat der verbündeten Streitkräfte, verbindet das Gefechtsfeld und sichert die Luftüberlegenheit in Koordination mit 4., 5. und zukünftigen Plattformen.
- Milestone achievement of 1 million flight hours demonstrates program's success
- Growing fleet size of over 1,100 jets indicates strong market presence
- Successful combat deployment of all F-35 variants
- Integration of drone control capabilities expands operational functionality
- None.
Insights
The F-35 program surpassing
This milestone demonstrates the F-35's maturity and reliability, important factors for securing future procurement contracts and sustainment revenues. The operational deployment of all variants, including the recent combat debut of the F-35C in November 2024, validates the platform's capabilities in real-world scenarios - a critical factor when defense departments make acquisition decisions.
Investors should note the emphasis on future capabilities, particularly the F-35's role in controlling drone systems and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. This positions Lockheed Martin to potentially capture additional revenue streams beyond the base aircraft through system upgrades and integration with emerging autonomous platforms.
The program's sustained momentum and growing install base create opportunities for decades of high-margin maintenance, upgrades, and support services that typically follow major defense platform deployments. These lifecycle revenues often exceed the initial procurement value and provide more predictable, long-term cash flows that are highly valued in the defense sector.
The million-flight-hour milestone for the F-35 fleet demonstrates exceptional program durability and operational resilience. This achievement reinforces the aircraft's position as the technological anchor for Western allied air power, having overcome earlier production challenges and reliability concerns.
The timing is particularly notable as it coincides with heightened global security concerns and increased defense spending among NATO and Indo-Pacific allies. The mention of the F-35C's first combat deployment in November 2024 is significant as it completes the operational validation of all three variants, addressing a key program objective.
Looking beyond the headline, the reference to integration with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) reveals Lockheed's strategic positioning for the emerging loyal wingman concept. This capability aligns with the Pentagon's focus on human-machine teaming and distributed lethality, potentially extending the F-35's operational relevance as defense priorities evolve toward more autonomous operations.
The program's scale - with 1,100+ aircraft delivered - creates substantial barriers to competition in the 5th-generation fighter space. This established production ecosystem provides Lockheed Martin with sustainable competitive advantages against potential rival programs from both allies and adversaries, while creating opportunities for ongoing modernization initiatives that typically carry higher profit margins than initial production.
"Reaching 1 million flight hours is a monumental achievement for the F-35 program. It highlights the unwavering dedication of our pilots, maintainers, industry partners and our international partners and foreign military sales customers," said Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office. "This milestone is not just a testament to the F-35's unmatched capability, but also to the resilience and commitment of everyone involved in this program. As we continue to expand the fleet and advance the F-35's capabilities, we are ensuring the warfighters of today and tomorrow have the most advanced, reliable, and effective tool to protect our nations."
Throughout the 1 million hours flown, the F-35 team has significantly enhanced the capabilities of the F-35 and achieved many unprecedented aviation firsts with the world's most advanced fighter aircraft.
"The F-35 is the backbone of the allied force, enabling peace through strength in the 21st century," said Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin. "As we look to the future, we are focused on continuing to increase the capabilities of the F-35 to ensure we stay ahead of adversarial threats."
The 1 million flight hours includes combat operations now completed by all F-35 variants following the F-35C being deployed in combat for the first time in November 2024, successfully striking targets in contested airspace.
The F-35 team is now focused on the next 1 million hours to be flown by the growing global fleet of more than 1,100 jets, ensuring the F-35 maintains its air superiority role and remains the cornerstone of air dominance as it works in tandem with other 4th, 5th and next-gen platforms. This includes the capability to control drones, including the
"Not only is it the world's most advanced fighter jet, the F-35 also makes those fighting with it better by connecting the battlespace, ensuring the warfighter gets home safely," McIntosh added.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
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