F-35 Lightning II
LightNews LightNews
banner
f-35net.bsky.social
F-35 Lightning II
@f-35net.bsky.social
260 followers 32 following 44 posts
All news about the F-35 Lightning II, aka the Joint Strike Fighter. (JSF)

🔗 https://f-35.net
Posts Replies Media Videos
f-35net.bsky.social
Trump is expected to greenlight an F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia—despite major concerns from the Pentagon, Israel, and U.S. intelligence. The move breaks long-standing security norms and risks exposing top-tier tech to a country deepening ties with China.

🏷️ #f35 #saudiarabia
Trump administration expected to approve potential F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia
The Trump administration is expected to push ahead with a plan allowing Saudi Arabia to acquire the F-35 stealth fighter, according to a senior U.S. official.
www.f-16.net
November 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
A historic day for the Belgian Air Force. The first 3 F-35A Lightning II fighters have arrived at Florennes Air Base — the first new generation of combat aircraft Belgium has received in almost 50 years. One aircraft was forced to remain behind in the Azores due to technical issues. #f35 #baf
Belgium welcomes its first F-35 fighters at Florennes Air Base
Belgium officially entered the fifth-generation fighter era yesterday as the first three F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrived at Florennes Air Base, marking the nation’s first introduction of a new fig...
www.f-16.net
October 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
A US Navy F-35C went down this evening around 18:00h near NAS Lemoore in central California. The pilot managed to eject safely. This crash is the second one this year. In January an Air Force F-35A crashed at Eielson AFN in Alaska during training.

Full article: www.f-16.net/f-35-news-ar...
This is not the aircraft that crashed today, but mere a theme picture of a VFA-125 F-35C.
July 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
Milestone moment for the Belgian F-35 program: Belgium’s first F-35 to arrive in country has rolled off the production line and is gearing up for arrival in Belgium this fall. #baf #f35
June 6, 2025 at 7:49 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
One month after a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B (BF-103) made a precautionary landing at Japan’s Kōchi Ryōma Airport — a civilian airport — the stealth jet is still grounded on-site.

More details at: www.f-16.net/forum/viewto... #f35 #usmc
April 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
USAF Lt. Col. Christine Mau puts on her helmet before taking her 1st flight in the F-35A aircraft on Eglin AFB, May 5, 2015. She was the first female F-35 pilot at a time when only 86 other (male) pilots were certified to fly the F-35A in the entire U.S. Air Force. #aviationhistory
Air Force Lt. Col. Christine Mau puts on her helmet before taking her first flight in the F-35A aircraft on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 5, 2015. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marleah Robertson
April 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
On 25 March a USMC F-35B Lightning II belonging to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121, coded VK-08) and based at MCAS Iwakuni, requested to make a precautionary landing at Kōchi Airport due to unreported problems during a training flight.

Forum post: www.f-16.net/forum/viewto... #f35
AP staff gave two chairs to the pilot
March 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
On March 17 Denmark announced their F-35s are ready to be integrated into the country’s air defense. As of April 1 the F-35s will gradually replace the F-16s. In the first months, both aircraft will operate together, but the goal is for the F-35s to fully take over F-16 missions in the coming years.
Photo by Flyvevåbnet
March 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
Canada is now reconsidering the $14.2 billion purchase of 88 American F-35s, a day after Portugal announced it would be looking at European alternatives for the F-35 because of Trump’s attacks against Europe and NATO. #canada #portugal
Canada reconsidering F-35 purchase amid tensions with Washington, says minister | CBC News
Canada is looking at cancelling a major portion of its purchase of U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighters and plans on opening talks with rival aircraft makers, Defence Minister Bill Blair said.
www.cbc.ca
March 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
Two Dutch F-35s shot down multiple training drones over the Baltic Sea using AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The exercise took place in controlled airspace and was organized by the Netherlands and Estonia.

🏷️ #rnlaf #europe #militaryaviation
F-35’s halen drones neer boven Oostzee
Twee Nederlandse F-35-gevechtsvliegtuigen hebben gisteren meerdere oefendrones neergehaald boven de Oostzee. Dat deden ze door er AIM-9 Sidewinder-raketten op af te vuren. Het ging om een training in ...
www.defensie.nl
March 5, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by F-35 Lightning II
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
An F-35B has successfully conducted the first test flights carrying a Meteor air-to-air missile, marking a key milestone in the integration of UK weaponry onto the F-35 platform.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/meteor-missi...
Meteor missile completes first test flight on F-35B
An F-35B has successfully conducted the first test flights carrying a Meteor air-to-air missile, marking a key milestone in the integration of UK weaponry onto the F-35 platform.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
Pilots from the 421st FS (388th FW) at Hill AFB are flying the F-35A in Bamboo Eagle 25-1. It is a USAF exercise stretching force elements and command-and-control structures to several “hub and spoke” locations across the Western US. NAS North Island is serving as a “spoke” location for the F-35.
F-35A Lightning IIs rest prior to a night sortie from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Feb. 10, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Micah Garbarino) DETAILSDOWNLOAD An F-35A Lightning II lands at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., after a mission Feb. 11, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Micah Garbarino) An F-35A Lightning II takes off from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., for a mission Feb. 11, 2025. The Airmen, from the 388th Fighter Wing's 421st Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are participating in Bamboo Eagle 25-1. (USAF photo by Micah Garbarino)
February 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
India's opposition parties have criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs. "The F-35, which Elon Musk has described as 'junk', why is Narendra Modi hell-bent on buying it?"
India opposition slams Trump's F-35 offer, Russia makes its own pitch
India's opposition parties have criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs, even as Russia has discussed producing its most advanced jets locally in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goals.
www.reuters.com
February 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
Three F-35Cs of the “Argonauts”, the "Rough Raiders " and the "Grim Reapers" complete a flight over the GULF OF MEXICO. #gulfofmexico
Three F-35C Lightning II, attached to Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, the "Rough Raiders "Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 and the "Grim Reapers" Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 complete a flight over the Gulf of Mexico. Feb. 1, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon E. Renfroe)
February 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
A USMC F-35B takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth, the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers. It is capable of carrying 60 aircraft including fixed wing, rotary wing and autonomous vehicles.

🏷️ #RAF #USMC #AircraftPhotography #RoyalNavy
A USMC F-35B takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth. RAF Photo by Mark Johnson.
February 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by F-35 Lightning II
militarynewsua.bsky.social
❗️The 🇷🇺Russian Su-57 fighter and the 🇺🇸American F-35 fighter met at Aero India 2025. So far, only on the ground
February 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Reposted by F-35 Lightning II
ovidiumuca.bsky.social
A proposed change to the checkerboard insignia on #Polish warplanes could make them harder for enemies to detect in battle. #F35

www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Poland to refit F-35 jets with better-camouflaged insignia
A proposed change to the checkerboard insignia on Polish warplanes could make them harder for enemies to detect in battle. #EuropeNews
www.euronews.com
February 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by F-35 Lightning II
starsandstripes.bsky.social
Harry S. Stewart Jr., one of the last living Tuskegee Airmen who flew in World War II, died this week at the age of 100.
One of the last Tuskegee Airmen dies at age 100 in Michigan
www.stripes.com
February 4, 2025 at 5:58 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
First ever dual, external release of a GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) from an F-35. The GBU-54 is a 500-lb precision-guided bomb that uses laser energy to accurately strike static and moving surface targets.

Article: www.afotec.af.mil/News/Article...

🏷️ #f35history #LJDAM #UOTT
An F-35C aircraft performs a dual, external release of a GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition Jan. 30, 2024. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
February 3, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by F-35 Lightning II
militarynewsua.bsky.social
❗️The 🇳🇱Netherlands Air Force has increased its fleet of F-35 fighters from 4 to 8 based at Ämäri Airbase in 🇪🇪Estonia.
February 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by F-35 Lightning II
byteseu.bsky.social
Poland buys radar-homing missiles for its future F-35 fleet

https://www.byteseu.com/698570/

WARSAW, Poland — The Polish Ministry of National Defence has signed a deal to buy more than 200 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) from the United States, becoming …
Poland buys radar-homing missiles for its future F-35 fleet
WARSAW, Poland — The Polish Ministry of National Defence has signed a deal to buy more than 200 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) from the United States, becoming the region’s first ally to secure an advanced capability to destroy enemy radar emitters associated with air defense systems.The contract to purchase the missiles, made by Northrop Grumman, comes as Poland is awaiting the delivery of the first batch of its 32 ordered F-35 fighter jets next year.Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the missiles will represent a significant reinforcement of the aircraft’s combat capacities,
www.byteseu.com
January 30, 2025 at 10:52 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
An F-35 fighter jet crashed Tue 28/01 at about 12:49PM on a flightline on Eielson Air Force Base - the pilot safely ejected. Article: f-16.net/f-35-news-ar... #f35 #eielson #crash
January 29, 2025 at 8:02 AM
f-35net.bsky.social
Introducing the "Frankenlighting"! This unique reconstruction project merged the cockpit of an F-35 that experienced engine failure with the aft fuselage of another F-35 that sustained a nose gear failure. The jet successfully flew from Hill AFB to NAS JRB Fort Worth. Forum: f-16.net/forum/viewto...
January 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
An RAF F-35 suffered a bird strike and as a precaution returned to base where it landed safely. In April 2024 however, a USMC F-35B was struck by a bird and suffered significant damage (Class A mishap). The USMC F-35s already suffered many similar accidents.
#f35 #raf #usmc #birdstrikes
Another F-35 "Struck Down" After Mid-Air Collision; “Aerial Monsters” Continue To Haunt Stealth Fighters
A Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft was on a routine mission on January 20 when it met with one of the biggest threats faced by aircraft globally. Hit and damaged, the stealth f...
www.eurasiantimes.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:52 PM
f-35net.bsky.social
In a groundbreaking development for military aviation, Norway has become the first nation to operate F-35 Lightning II fighter jets using a significant proportion of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Article: www.f-16.net/f-35-news-ar...

🏷️ #f35 #rnoaf #saf #sustainability
F-35 fueling up on Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuel [Photo by LMTAS]
January 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM