Aviation Nation 2016: USAF F-35A Lightning II – Welcome to the Fifth Generation

As military budgets continue to be tightened it is rare to see a brand new combat aircraft flying at an air show these days. Aviation Nation 2016 bucked that trend with the presence of the USAF Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Heritage Flight Team from Luke AFB.

The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter officially entered USAF operational service in 2016. Much maligned due to difficulties with its highly advanced technology implementation, high cost and so on, I can tell you it is impressive to see them fly and be put through their paces just a little bit. The F-35A with full afterburner roaring is surprisingly loud!

USAF Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Flight Heritage Team take-off at Nellis AFB

Roaring past

Take-off on the Sunday

F-35A afterburner with a mountain backdrop

USAF F-35 Flight Heritage Team

Letting rip!

Upwards and onwards!

First to Fifth Generation USAF jet fighters – F-86 Sabre, F-35A Lightning II & F-22 Raptor

The F-35A and the old guard, a 1950’s era North American F-86 Sabre jet

Heading into a barrel roll turn

Barrel roll turn

Fast pass

Full afterburner

The F-35A is very loud!

Power

The surface area is designed to reduce radar signature. The wings and fuselage have incorporated designs and features to both deflect and absorb radar waves

A successful flight display and landing

Back in Nellis

USAF F-35 Heritage Flight Team out of Luke AFB, Arizona