Page 54 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb-Mar 2023

54 AIRPOWER F-35A LIGHTNING II
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
F-35A FORGES TOWARDS FINAL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY
Shortly before the end of last year, Defence confirmed that the Royal Australian Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II will achieve Final Operational Capability (FOC) by the end of 2023.
NIGEL PITTAWAY | MELBOURNE & FORT WORTH
THIS will come on the back of significant recent sales for the international F-35 program and revelations by the largest user – the United States Air Force – that the F-35A has demonstrated kill ratios in excess of 20 to one at a recent Red Flag air exercise.
By the end of 2022, the RAAF had received 60 of the 72 aircraft it has on order and is awaiting the outcome of the eagerly anticipated Defence Strategic Review to determine if it will receive more in the future.
In the meantime, Australian industry continues to re- ceive a good share of F-35 production contracts and oppor- tunities in the sustainment space are becoming available as the global fleet matures.
But it’s not just about capability today – Lockheed Mar- tin is working with international F-35 partners includ- ing Australia to make sure the aircraft continues to meet emerging threats around the world. This process will be
ongoing for the life of the aircraft, but the next major ca- pability enhancement will begin to be rolled out across the fleet in 2024.
THE JOURNEY TO FOC
While Australia’s initial F-35As were delivered from the Lockheed Martin production facility in Fort Worth, Texas to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in support of internation- al pilot and technician training, the first jets to be delivered to Australia arrived at Williamtown in December 2018.
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was declared in De- cember 2020 and as of today, No.2 Operational Conversion Unit and both operational fighter squadrons – Nos. 3 & 77 Squadrons – at Williamtown have long completed their transition from the ‘Classic’ Hornet to the F-35A. The final squadron, No.75 Sqn at RAAF Tindal, is well progressed on that journey.