The RAAF’s F-35A aircraft  completed 1,000 flying hours over the skies of Arizona. Credit: Australian Government / Department of Defence.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F-35A aircraft has completed 1,000 flying hours over the skies of Arizona, US.

In 2014, the aircraft was manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Texas, US.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Currently, the aircraft A35-001 is operated by the international Pilot Training Centre (PTC) at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in the US.

It is used as part of a pool of training aircraft to qualify F-35A pilots and maintainers across the globe.

Australia’s F-35A pilot Flight Lieutenant Adrian Herenda was at the controls of A35-001 as the aircraft completed its 1,000 flying hours.

Until date, the RAAF has accepted 26 F-35A aircraft. Besides the five at the PTC, 17 are operating at No 3 Squadron and No 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown. The remaining four jets are scheduled to reach Australia from the US before August.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

From next year, all F-35 training will be undertaken in Australia.

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) director-general Air Commodore Damien Keddie said: “It demonstrates the maturity of our F-35A capability and showcases the importance of the international F-35 partnership.

“A35-001 is one of five Australian aircraft at Luke AFB, with other F-35 partner nations also contributing aircraft to the PTC in a show of global collaboration that has been the cornerstone of the F-35 Programme since the earliest days.”

In December last year, the RAAF accepted the delivery of an additional seven F-35A fighter aircraft at RAAF Base Williamtown from the US.

Under the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter programme, the US provided the RAAF with a fifth-generation combat capability.