Canada’s first F-35A completes maiden flight in Texas

Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II, identified as AR-1, completed its maiden flight on September 23 from Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The approximately 90-minute test flight was accompanied by an F-35C safety chase aircraft. The aircraft already features Canadian markings, including Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF/ARC) lettering, the Canadian roundel, and a low-visibility flag.

The aircraft will not arrive in Canada immediately. The federal government’s schedule dictates that the first eight aircraft will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona during 2026 and 2027 to support training for Canadian pilots and personnel. The first aircraft is expected to arrive at CFB Cold Lake in 2028, with initial operational capability targeted for 2029 and full operational capability by 2033.

While the original agreement involves the purchase of 88 F-35A fighters to replace the aging CF-18 Hornet fleet, the Canadian government is still reviewing whether it will proceed with the full quantity of aircraft.