One of the world’s largest aircraft has landed at RAAF Base Williamtown today carrying the first delivery of Australia’s state of the art training equipment for the Joint Strike Fighter.

As part of the continued advancement of the F-35 Global Support Solution strategy, the Department of Defense has assigned F-35 regional warehousing capability in the European and Pacific regions to the Netherlands and Australia. These overseas warehouse and distribution centers will enable the F-35 program to optimize and

​Lockheed Martin Corp is in the final stages of negotiating a deal worth more than $37 billion to sell a record 440 F-35 fighter jets to a group of 11 nations including the United States, two people familiar with the talks said.

Kongsberg Defence Systems has entered into a contract with the Australian Department of Defence worth 150 MNOK for integration of a new capability in the Joint Strike Missile (JSM).

​Japan, Australia and South Korea are among the 11 countries in the F-35 program and represent the future of fifth-generation aviation in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

In an exhilarating day for Australian military air power, the F-35A Lightning II made its public debut at the Australian International Airshow.

Flown by Australian pilots who swear by its effectiveness, two of the multi-role fighter bombers have made the long flight from the US to Victoria’s Avalon Air Show.

The deputy commandant of USMC aviation, said that combat exercises that have involved the F-35B have shown the fifth-generation platform to be superior in just about every facet of capability when compared with older types stil

The F-35’s arrival in Australia marks another step in the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) transformation into a 5th Generation air force.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced that Australia’s two F-35A Joint Strike Fighters will make their first appearance in Australia at the Australian International Airshow.

From Norway to Australia, members from a number of allied and partner nations have come to Edwards Air Force Base to team with base units to test systems, enhance international cooperation and advance their own air force’s capabilities.

The F-35 was designed with coalition warfare in mind from the very beginning.

Not only does the F-35’s full-mission simulator provide greater fidelity than previous generations of fighter trainers, it also compensates for the fact it is too expensive to equip every test and training range with the full complement of threats it would be likely to go up against.

The multinational pilot training centre at Luke AFB in Arizona has grown exponentially since receiving its first Lockheed Martin F-35 in March 2014, and that pace won’t let up in 2016 as the 56th Fighter Wing zips past 3,000 Lightning II sorties.

Levett Engineering manufactures and exports several F-35 components.

“Marand has been an industry leader and outstanding performer in the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to date, with contracts for the vertical tail, engine trailer and production tooling,” Minister Brough said.

Australia’s JSF Program Manager, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Chris Deeble, said that participation and collaboration from Australian defence industry will be critical to delivering and sustaining the new F-35 JSF aircraft.

As the world's premiere F-35 training base, Luke Air Force Base is constantly growing and improving to provide state-of-the-art training for F-35 Lightning ll pilots and maintainers.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) completed the first fuel transfer with the air refuelling boom from a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to a US Air Force (USAF) F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Under the Sept. 15 agreement, Australia will finance the development of a new RF-seeking capability, which will enable the missile to locate targets based on electronic signature.

Quickstep managing director, David Marino, said: "Our aerospace manufacturing operations performed well being on or ahead of schedule by the year end."

International aspects of F-35 training at Luke make operations at the base different from other F-35 bases.

SQNLDR David Bell has started at the F-35 International Pilot Training Centre, at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

“The first flight of this particular F-35A marks a monumental achievement for Marand and our dedicated employees,” said Marand Chief Executive Officer Rohan Stocker.

While the completion of the sortie represents a milestone for the RAAF, for Jackson, it's also about building his experience and competence in the F-35 over the short term.

An F-35A Lightning II aircraft known as AF-73, rolled out of Lockheed Martin’s Aircraft Final Finishes facility.

Construction of the New Air Combat Capability Facilities at RAAF Base Williamtown has commenced.

Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson has qualified to fly the F-35.

“Everything I’ve done in the simulator made the F-35 remarkably easy to fly,” said Jackson. “It felt very similar to the F-18 Hornet that I have flown previously, so it was a very comfortable transition.”

The flight was on the morning of Wednesday 18 March in a United States Air Force F-35A aircraft, as the Australian F-35A aircraft are currently located at Luke Air Force Base.

The 56th Fighter Wing officially began training new F-35 pilots today when the first student, Brigadier General Scott Pleus, 56th Fighter Wing commander, flew the wing's first training sortie.

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the Australian Department of Defence have agreed to cooperate on the development of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), following talks between Norwegian State Secretary Mr. Øystein Bø and his Australian colleague Mr. Stuart Robert during the Norwegian State visit to Australia this week.

The re-baselining of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter programme has been successful and ongoing improvements in areas such as support and logistics will drive the cost down further, according to the programme head.

The Hunter is poised to capitalize on Joint Strike Fighter maintenance opportunities after new facilities were officially opened at Williamtown Feb. 16, 2015.

Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, Australia’s first F-35A pilot, will commence training for his first F-35A flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

The first Australian F-35A Lightning II jet arrived at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., today, where it will be used for pilot training beginning in 2015.

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today welcomed the announcement by the US Department of Defense that Australia has been selected to provide support to Joint Strike Fighters (F-35) in the Asia Pacific Region.

The Department of Defense has assigned F-35 Regional Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) capability for airframes and engines for the Asia Pacific Region.

Defence Minister David Johnston has congratulated Melbourne-based precision engineering company Marand following the successful installation of the first locally made Vertical Tail assemblies on an F-35 Lightning at Lockheed Martin’s US assembly line at Fort Worth, Texas.

Australian-made vertical tails for F-35 Lightning II fighters have for the first time been installed on an aircraft by Lockheed Martin.

The first vertical tails manufactured by Australian company, Marand, were installed November 13 on the F-35 Lightning II known as AF-73 in Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas.

The first vertical tails manufactured by Australian company Marand were installed Nov. 13 on the F-35 Lightning II known as AF-73 in Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas.

BAE Systems has been named as the International Procurement Team of the Year by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) for the company's role in building vertical tails for the F-35.

The second F-35A Lightning II for the RAAF made its first flight on October 1.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II made its debut flight from the manufacturer’s Fort Worth facility in Texas on 29 September.

Australia’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A made its inaugural flight on Sept. 29, marking another significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35 program.

BAE Systems recently signed an agreement to provide advanced manufactured components for the F-35 program as part of a long-term arrangement with Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) wants air power to be the central element of Australia's upcoming defence strategy document.

The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program Office has funded a project under the JSF Science and Technology Advisory Board for Australia's DSTO to adapt its advanced VPHM technologies for use on the JSF engine.

The unveiling of two new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft labeled AU-1 and AU-2 at the Lockheed Martin aviation facility in Fort Worth, Texas, marks the beginning of F-35 operations for the Royal Australian air force.

Frank Kendall, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, told the audience of about 300 that it takes a community to accomplish something as significant as the F-35.

Australian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown told the rollout ceremony of the first RAAF F-35 that the aircraft represents the “greatest evolutionary change” in Australian military aviation history.

A ceremony was held today at Lockheed Martin, commemorating the official roll out of the first two F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Australia will take delivery of its first F-35 Lightning II on Thursday from Lockheed Martin in Texas.

Victoria's manufacturing sector has received a boost with the state to host a $10 million factory making hi-tech defence force equipment.

the RAAF’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is due to be officially rolled out in July and delivered to the USAF’s Integrated Training Center at Luke AFB in Arizona later this year.

ASPI's Andrew Davies argues that the F-35 is the only 21st century design on the market and it promises much higher performance than any of the alternatives.

Australian defence leaders outline the opportunities for Williamtown RAAF base upgrades to prepare for the F-35A likely to attract new "higher tier" contractors to the region.

Marand Precision Engineering was named ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at the Manufacturers’ Monthly Endeavour Awards in Sydney. The company recently began delivery of vertical tails for the F-35.

Australia will acquire another 58 F-35A Lightning II aircraft in a major boost to the nation’s air combat capability.

The buildup of F-35 operations at Luke Air Force Base has begun, and the Royal Australian air force will soon be Luke's first international partner to train here on the F-35A Lightning II.

Under a deal struck with the U.S. in 2002, Australian firms get to bid for work on the F-35 program.

The Australian Government has approved the acquisition of an additional 58 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

Australian manufacturer Quickstep has signed a deal to deliver components for the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter.

Lockheed Martin Australia will showcase three major capabilities at this year’s Canberra Airport Open Day.

Australian precision engineering company Marand has manufactured the first Australian made vertical tail for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSF).

A ceremony was held at Australian company, Marand, commemorating the delivery of the first ship of Australian-made F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter vertical tails.

Australian engineering firm Marand has completed the first of an expected 722 vertical tails for F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters.

News Corp Australia reports on the progress of the F-35 program; pilots tout the F-35's capabilities.

Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson and Squadron Leader David Bell have been selected to be the first RAAF pilots to fly the F-35 fighter jets.

F-35 Program Executive Officer visits Quickstep Holdings Ltd.'s manufacturing facility in Australia.

The names of the first two Australian pilots selected to undergo training in the U.S. on the F-35A were announced today.

Australia’s program to replace its F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet with F-35A joint strike fighters will achieve a significant milestone in July when the first aircraft rolls off the assembly line.

An advanced machining facility to make titanium parts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft has been officially opened in Adelaide.

Lockheed Martin and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the beginnings of the first F-35 Lightning II for Australia

Northrop Grumman delivered the centre fuselage section for the first RAAF F-35A Lightning II, designated AU-1, to prime contractor Lockheed Martin on September 23.

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP today addressed representatives of Australian companies at a Joint Strike Fighter industry day outlining the benefits and opportunities associated with the multi-billion dollar program.

Lovitt Technologies Australia (LTA) has been awarded a further contract for work in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

Lovitt Technologies Australia (LTA) was notified by Lockheed Martin that they were awarded a contract for work on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter with an estimated value of $2.945M USD for the delivery of titanium keels.

TONY EASTLEY: We're broadcasting today from a hangar at Bankstown airport in Sydney where they make parts for the F35 joint strike fighter jet.

(Sound of machinery)

The area we're broadcasting from this morning on the AM manufacturing tour has seen some changes over the years. It's here in a big old hangar at…

Lockheed Martin Corp is well on the way to fixing the F-35s performance and helmet problems, Australian military chiefs said on Thursday, rejecting criticism the troubled jet will be overmatched by newer Russian and Chinese aircraft.

In testimony to parliament on the F-35, for which Australia is one of the largest…

Northrop Grumman Corporation's largest F-35 Australian supplier – Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd. – has demonstrated that its new production facility is equipped and qualified to manufacture and deliver quality composite parts for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter center fuselage produced by Northrop…

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith have released the 2013 Defence White Paper. The document identifies the F-35 Initial Operational Capability date of 2020, and restates Australia's commitment to purchase the program of record, 100 F-35A aircraft.

Australia's first two F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft are progressing down the US production line and approaching the stage where they will be recognisably aircraft rather than a collection of components.

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Quickstep has delivered its first parts for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program from their Bankstown facility to global aerospace company Northrop Grumman Corporation. The parts were completed according to the schedule agreed when the company made its decision to move to Bankstown some two years…