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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [TECHNOLOGY]
2 clusters · 9 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated
Canada F-35A fighter jet procurement
Overview
The first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet destined for the Royal Canadian Air Force, identified as AR-1, completed its maiden flight on September 23, 2026, from the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The flight lasted approximately 90 minutes and included an F-35C safety chase aircraft.
Although the aircraft features Canadian markings, it will not be sent to Canada immediately. The first eight jets are scheduled to be delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona during 2026 and 2027 to facilitate training for Canadian pilots and maintenance personnel. The first aircraft is expected to arrive in Canada in 2028, with projections for initial operational capability in 2029 or 2030 and full operational capability by 2033.
The acquisition is part of the Future Fighter Capability Project to replace the aging CF-18 Hornet fleet. However, the Canadian government is currently reviewing the original plan to purchase 88 jets to determine if a mixed fighter fleet would be more effective.
Entities
Luke Air Force Base · Lockheed Martin · Royal Canadian Air Force · CFB Cold Lake · United States
Timeline
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[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesCanada’s first F-35A completes maiden flight in Texas
Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight in Texas. The aircraft will support pilot training in Arizona before arriving at CFB Cold Lake in 2028.
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[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sourcesCanada’s first F-35A fighter completes maiden flight in Texas
Canada’s first F-35A fighter jet completed its maiden flight in Texas, marking a key step in replacing the nation's CF-188 Hornet fleet, though the total fleet size remains under government review.
Sources
aereo.jor.br · aero-space.eu · airdatanews.com · airway.com.br · aresdifesa.it · avioblog.it · avionslegendaires.net · lakelandconnect.net · vosveteit.zoznam.sk