Australia's first F-35A takes to the skies

Fort Worth, Texas – Australia’s first Lockheed Martin, F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, made its inaugural flight on Sept. 29, marking another significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35 program. Lockheed Martin F-35 Chief Test Pilot Alan Norman, piloted the aircraft through a series of functional checks for the sortie that lasted two hours. 

 

The aircraft, known as AU-1, is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force later this year and will be assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Australia and partner countries will use the jet for F-35A pilot training.

 

The F-35 Lightning II aircraft provides the Royal Australian Air Force with a fifth generation fighter capability and benefits for the Australian aerospace industry. Australian industry already has more than $412 million (USD) contracted. 

 

For more than a decade, the U.S. and its allies have invested in developing this fifth-generation, international, multirole fighter.

 

Source: Lockheed Martin