5 interesting facts about the f35 lighting in the Royal Australian Air Force
- The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet that was designed to meet the needs of the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as the air forces of several allied nations, including Australia.
- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates a fleet of 33 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, which are currently based at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.
- The F-35A Lightning II is equipped with advanced sensors and weapons systems that make it a highly capable multirole fighter. It can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, and is designed to operate in contested airspace.
- The RAAF’s F-35A Lightning II fleet has been used in a number of exercises and operations since it began operating in 2019, including Exercise Lightning Storm, Exercise Red Flag, and Operation Okra.
- The F-35A Lightning II is the most expensive military aircraft ever built, with a total cost of around $1.5 trillion over its lifetime. However, it is also one of the most advanced and capable fighter jets in the world, and is expected to remain in service for several decades to come.
