ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAAF A35 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II

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F-35A A35-001 First Flight 30th September 2014

  
 

F-35 Lightning II Image Gallery
     
  The Lockheed Martin F-35A is being purchased under Project AIR 6000 for the RAAF to replace the F/A18A/B fleet by 2022. The aircraft had also been considered as an F-111 replacement, but an interim purchase of F/A18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler has fulfilled that requirement for the time being and and it remains to be seen whether the RAAF will ultimately operate a mixed fleet of F-35s and Super Hornets/Growlers or operate an F-35 only fleet in the future.

Australia initially committed to 14 F-35A aircraft for initial work up and training at Luke AFB, Arizona, USA before ultimately being delivered to RAAF Base Williamtown.

On 23 April 2014 , an order for a further 58 F-35A's (to a total of 72 airframes) was announced as part of Phase 2A/2B of Project AIR 6000 to create a total of three operational squadrons - two at RAAF Base Williamtown and one at RAAF Base Tindal - and a training squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Phase 2C of the project will consider an additional purchase of around 24 further airframes to form a fourth operational squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, for a total of about 96-100 F-35A's.

At this point 3 Sqn RAAF is planned to reach IOC in 2020 and FOC in 2023 with the planned withdrawal of the F/A-18A/B fleet planned for 2021/22.

Current Plans indicate that:

  • 3 SQN should have its full complement of aircraft at Williamtown and achieve IOC by December 2020,
  • 2 OCU will start bringing it's aircraft to Australia beginning in early 2020,
  • 77 SQN will commence re-equipment in 2021,
  • 75 SQN will commence re-equipment in 2022
  • Final deliveries of the RAAF's 72 aircraft will conclude in 2023.

 

  
     
 
Serial Number. Const/No. USAF.Serial Aircraft History
A35-000 N/A N/A DSTO constructed "Iron Bird" model for testing under simulated electromagnetic interference conditions during the acquisition and through-life sustainment of the JSF.
Unveiled at DSTO Edinburgh 07 March 2014.

Highlight for Album: "F-35A" A35-000
A35-001 AU-1 12-5060 Sourced from Lot 6 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase.
08 October 2013 Construction of major components begun.
13 December 2013 Achieved "Weight on wheels" when craned from its electronic mate and alignment systems (EMAS) station for final assembly.
Towed from production line to paint facility June 2014,
24 July 2014 Roll out at Fort Worth,
 29 September 2014 First Flight,
Delivered to the USAF Integrated Training Center, Luke AFB, Arizona late 2014/early 2015.
Assigned to 61st FS at Luke AFB, AZ for pilot training.
03/03/2017 Arrived at Avalon for the 2017 Australian International Airshow,
06/03/2017 Repositioned from Avalon to RAAF Amberley,
10/03/2017 Arrived Luke AFB, Arizona following participation in Australian International Airshow,

 Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-001
A35-002 AU-2 12-5061 Sourced from Lot 6 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase.
08 October 2013 Construction of major components begun.
23 July 2014 Media Preview at Fort Worth,
24 July 2014 Roll out at Fort Worth,
01 October 2014 First Flight,
Delivered to the USAF Integrated Training Center, Luke AFB, Arizona late 2014/early 2015.
Assigned to 61st FS at Luke AFB, AZ for pilot training,
03/03/2017 Arrived at Avalon for the 2017 Australian International Airshow,
06/03/2017 Repositioned from Avalon to RAAF Amberley,
10/03/2017 Arrived Luke AFB, Arizona following participation in Australian International Airshow.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-002
A35-003 AU-3 15-5211 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
November 2017 Revealed wearing 3 Squadron tail markings,
31/12/2017 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona,
11/12/2019 Arrived in Australia, in 3 Sqn markings.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-003
A35-004 AU-4 15-5212 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 2 OCU Markings,
 12/12/2017 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona,

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-004
A35-005 AU-5 15-5213 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 2 OCU Markings,
 21/01/2018 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona,
11/12/2019 Arrived in Australia, 2 OCU markings.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-005
A35-006 AU-6 15-5214 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 2 OCU Markings,
 2018 First Flight, (Also reported as March 2018),
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona, noted there 11/07/2018 for the first time.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-006
A35-007 AU-7 15-5215 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
 02/07/2018 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona,

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-007
A35-008 AU-8 15-5216 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
 16/07/2018 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona, 3 Sqn markings 2018/19.
28/10/2019 Flew the official 35,000th F-35 flight hour with the 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona,
11/12/2019 Arrived in Australia, 3 Sqn markings.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-008
A35-009 AU-9 15-5217 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
15/08/2018 First Flight,
10/12/2018 Arrived RAAF Williamtown after ferry from Luke AFB, Arizona, Via Hickam AFB, Hawaii and RAAF Amberley.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-009
A35-010 AU-10 15-5218 Sourced from Lot 10 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
 16/08/2018 First Flight,
10/12/2018 Arrived RAAF Williamtown after ferry from Luke AFB, Arizona, Via Hickam AFB, Hawaii and RAAF Amberley.

Highlight for Album: F-35A A35-010
A35-011 AU-11 17-5294 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
 25/01/2019 First Flight,
07/04/2019 Arrived RAAF Williamtown after ferry from Luke AFB, Arizona.
A35-012 AU-12 17-5295 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
 25/01/2019 First Flight,
??/02/2019 Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona,
07/04/2019 Arrived RAAF Williamtown after ferry from Luke AFB, Arizona.
A35-013 AU-13 17-5296 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 2 OCU Markings,
11/03/2019 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona.
11/12/2019 Arrived at RAAF Williamtown, 2 OCU markings.
A35-014 AU-14 17-5297 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 2 OCU Markings,
15/03/2019 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona.
11/12/2019 Arrived at RAAF Williamtown, 2 OCU markings.
A35-015 AU-15 17-5298 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
14/06/2019 First Flight,
Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona
10/09/2019 Arrived RAAF Williamtown after ferry from Luke AFB, Arizona.
A35-016 AU-16 17-5299 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
??/07/2019 First Flight,
02/08/2019 Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona
10/09/2019 Arrived RAAF Williamtown after ferry from Luke AFB, Arizona.
A35-017 AU-17 17-5300 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
??/09/2019 First Flight,
??/09/2019 Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona.
11/12/2019 Arrived at RAAF Williamtown, 3 Sqn markings.
A35-018 AU-18 17-5301 Sourced from Lot 11 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
??/09/2019 First Flight,
??/09/2019 Delivered to 61 FS, Luke AFB, Arizona.
11/12/2019 Arrived at RAAF Williamtown, 3 Sqn markings.
A35-019 AU-19 18-5390 Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Noted as flying at Fort Worth 11/12/2019 & 31/01/2020,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
A35-020 AU-20 18-5391 Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
 Noted as flying at Fort Worth 08/12/2019 & 31/01/2020,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
A35-021 AU-21 18-5392 Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
 Noted as flying at Fort Worth 11/12/2019, 24/01/2020 & 31/01/2020,
A35-022 AU-22 18-5393 Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
Delivered in 3 SQN Markings,
Noted as flying at Fort Worth 31/01/2020
A35-023 AU-23 18-5394 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-024 AU-24 18-5395 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-025 AU-25 18-5396 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-026 AU-26 18-5397 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-027 AU-27 18-5398 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-028 AU-28 18-5399 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-029 AU-29 18-5400 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-030 AU-30 18-5401 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-031 AU-31 18-5402 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-032 AU-32 18-5403 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-033 AU-33 18-5404 On Order
Sourced from Lot 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase,
A35-034 AU-34 TBA On Order
A35-035 AU-35 TBA On Order
A35-036 AU-36 TBA On Order
A35-037 AU-37 TBA On Order
A35-038 AU-38 TBA On Order
A35-039 AU-39 TBA On Order
A35-040 AU-40 TBA On Order
A35-041 AU-41 TBA On Order
A35-042 AU-42 TBA On Order
A35-043 AU-43 TBA On Order
A35-044 AU-44 TBA On Order
A35-045 AU-45 TBA On Order
A35-046 AU-46 TBA On Order
A35-047 AU-47 TBA On Order
A35-048 AU-48 TBA On Order
A35-049 AU-49 TBA On Order
A35-050 AU-50 TBA On Order
A35-051 AU-51 TBA On Order
A35-052 AU-52 TBA On Order
A35-053 AU-53 TBA On Order
A35-054 AU-54 TBA On Order
A35-055 AU-55 TBA On Order
A35-056 AU-56 TBA On Order
A35-057 AU-57 TBA On Order
A35-058 AU-58 TBA On Order
A35-059 AU-59 TBA On Order
A35-060 AU-60 TBA On Order
A35-061 AU-61 TBA On Order
A35-062 AU-62 TBA On Order
A35-063 AU-63 TBA On Order
A35-064 AU-64 TBA On Order
A35-065 AU-65 TBA On Order
A35-066 AU-66 TBA On Order
A35-067 AU-67 TBA On Order
A35-068 AU-68 TBA On Order
A35-069 AU-69 TBA On Order
A35-070 AU-70 TBA On Order
A35-071 AU-71 TBA On Order
A35-072 AU-72 TBA On Order
 
     
 

Highlight for Album: F-35A mock up

  
     

The Author of this page is Brendan Cowan.

Sources: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.au/, http://www.airforce.gov.au/ , http://www.defence.gov.au/; Australian Aviation Magazine, http://www.f-16.net/; http://www.f35evolution.com.au/ , www.defensenews.com , http://adf-gallery.com.au/newsletter/ADF%20Telegraph%202019%20Spring.pdf, http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboard/index.php?showtopic=2767&st=0&#entry18955 , http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lightning-II/f-35.htm ,

Emails: Martin Edwards, Batman, Gordon Birkett, Andy Marden, Phil Thompson, Mike Louey, Greg Hyde, Jochem Manders/Scramble.

Updated 6th February 2020
 

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