F-35 Archives

A joint team consisting of F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force flight test members, U.S. Sailors and Marines, and the crew of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) are executing developmental sea trials in the eastern Pacific Ocean to gather the necessary data to certify F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft operations. While aboard the MSDF’s largest ship, the Pax ITF flight test team has been gathering compatibility data for analysis in order to make recommendations for future F-35B operational envelopes, further enhancing the Japanese navy's capabilities. The results of the testing will contribute to improved interoperability between Japan and the United States, strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance and contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan is an F-35 Joint Program Office foreign military sales customer planning to purchase 42 F-35Bs. The F-35 Joint Program Office continues to develop, produce, and sustain the F-35 Air System to fulfill its mandate to deliver a capable, available, and affordable air system with fifth-generation capabilities.

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An Expert Reveals the Real F-35 Fighter ‘Kill Switch’

Key Points and Summary – Rumors of a secret F-35 “kill switch” that would allow the U.S. to remotely disable allied jets are a...

Steve BalestrieriAugust 25, 2025

U.S. Navy Lt. Dave Hinkle, F-35C Lightning II Demonstration Pilot, performs during the 2021 Atlanta Air Show, Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field, Ga., May 23, 2021. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' carrier variant has larger wings and more robust landing gear than the other F-35 variants, making it suitable for catapult launches and fly-in arrestments aboard naval aircraft carriers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Thomas Barley)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Europe Really Does Fear the Mythical F-35 Fighter ‘Kill-Switch’

Key Points and Summary – Persistent European fears that the U.S. could use a “kill switch” to disable their F-35 fleets are not grounded...

Andrew LathamAugust 25, 2025

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, performs for F-135 engine maintainers assigned to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 25, 2021. The F-35A Demonstration Team put on the performance for the maintainers as a show of appreciation for keeping F-35s throughout the Department of Defense running and in the sky. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Thomas Barley)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Fighter’s 2 Big Problems That Won’t Go Away

Key Points and Summary – The F-35 program is under intense pressure due to severe problems with its critical Block 4 modernization. -The new...

Bill SweetmanAugust 25, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

I Have Studied Fighter Jets For 2 Decades: China’s J-35A Can Battle the F-35

Key Points and Summary – The era of the F-35’s undisputed dominance is being challenged by China’s new J-35A stealth fighter. -This aircraft is...

Harry J. KazianisAugust 24, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft with the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing ascends into the clouds during exercise Northern Lightning Aug. 9, 2024, at Volk Field. Wisconsin. The F-35 works in parallel with 4th generation fighters, demonstrating the strength of combined airpower in the face of strategic competition. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Constantine Bambakidis)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The $2,000,000,000,000 F-35 Fighter Question

Key Points and Summary – The F-35 Lightning II program comes with a staggering $2 trillion lifetime price tag, but this analysis argues it’s...

Christian OrrAugust 22, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

More Than a Fighter Jet: The F-35 Is a $72 Billion Jobs Engine for America

Key Points and Summary – Beyond the battlefield, the F-35 Lightning II program serves as a massive economic engine for the United States, supporting...

Jack BuckbyAugust 22, 2025

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander, flies an F-35 assigned to the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron during the 2023 Arctic Lightning Air Show at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 21, 2023. The 2023 airshow theme was celebrating 50 years of women in military aviation.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)

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Europe Is Finally Saying No to the F-35

Key Points and Summary: The recent decisions by Spain and Switzerland to turn away from the F-35 signal a deeper European reckoning with the...

Andrew LathamAugust 22, 2025

A formation of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lighting IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 48th and 31st Fighter Wings respectively fly in formation as a part of Exercise Combined Strike along the coast of Italy, August 18, 2025. Exercises like Combined Strike ensure USAFE remains ready and postured to rely on one another to defend the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Jakel)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Never Stops Upgrading

Key Points and Summary – A decade after entering service, the controversial F-35 Lightning II is undergoing a massive modernization effort known as the...

Christian OrrAugust 21, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ Was Designed for 1 Purpose in Mind

Key Points and Summary – Making its first flight in 2011, the Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” shocked the world and proclaimed China’s place as...

Isaac SeitzAugust 21, 2025

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "F-35"

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

An Expert Reveals the Real F-35 Fighter ‘Kill Switch’

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Europe Really Does Fear the Mythical F-35 Fighter ‘Kill-Switch’

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Fighter’s 2 Big Problems That Won’t Go Away

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

I Have Studied Fighter Jets For 2 Decades: China’s J-35A Can Battle the F-35

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The $2,000,000,000,000 F-35 Fighter Question

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

More Than a Fighter Jet: The F-35 Is a $72 Billion Jobs Engine for America

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Europe Is Finally Saying No to the F-35

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Never Stops Upgrading

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ Was Designed for 1 Purpose in Mind

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