U.S. Air Force F-35A Declared Combat Ready

A new era dawns for the U.S. Air Force.

The F-35A Lightning II, the world's most advanced combat aircraft, powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 propulsion system, has achieved initial operational capability.

After 15 years of system development and design, more than 46,000 hours of engine ground and flight testing, and more than 65,000 hours of flight, the F-35 has proven it is more than ready for the mission.

A large cadre of airmen at Eglin, Edwards, Nellis and Luke Air Force Bases have been putting the F-35 to the test. Now, congratulations are in order for the men and women of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, who are the first to fly and maintain the first operational squadron of F-35As.

"It is the real deal, and that's what we really want to showcase to people. This plane is everything it's advertised to be," said Maj. Will "D-Rail" Andreotta, commander, F-35A Lightning II Heritage Flight Team.

The F-35A is the latest addition to the Air Force's fleet of deployable and fifth generation aircraft. It provides air superiority, interdiction, suppression of enemy air defenses and close air support. Its sensor fusion capabilities provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness of the battlespace. And with more than 40,000 lbs. of thrust from its propulsion system, the F-35 has the most powerful fighter engine ever fielded.

"Today everyone thinks the F-35 is some new program with a few airplanes operating at flight test. When in reality, we have over 180 airplanes that fly every day," said Mark Buongiorno, vice president, F135 Propulsion System. "Pratt & Whitney is there to support the operations and we're achieving great readiness and reliability today."

Last summer, the United States Marine Corps declared the F-35B achieved initial operational capability, or IOC. The U.S. Air Force now joins the U.S. Marine Corps in proving the F-35A is combat-ready.

"So the Marines have gone IOC, and when you think about what IOC means, it means the combatant commanders out there, so all the senior leaders, have the F-35 at their disposal for any capabilities the F-35 can bring to the fight," Andreotta said. "So you get that stealth, advanced avionics that the fifth generation aircraft is so known for out there."

In 12 months' time, the F-35 program has achieved significant, if not memorable, milestones. From the Marine Corps' IOC announcement in 2015, to the 2016 international debut of the F-35 in the Netherlands and UK airshows, and a successful June deployment to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, the F-35 is proving it is ready for the spotlight – and the workload.

"So with the U.S. Air Force IOC this year, I think you are going to see that America now has two services that are ready to deploy the F-35 on a moment's notice. And that's really a game changer for our ability to project our force," Buongiorno said.

The United States Navy is slated to announce IOC in 2018. And while there will always be refinements – improvements – as technology evolves, the F-35, and the F135 engine that powers it, are now, officially, prepared to usher in the next wave of military aviation.

"The best engine is the one you don't have to think about, right? And it delivers all the power that you want, when you need it and that's what this engine does," Buongiorno said.

"It's really a huge step. I don't think people understand when you talk about IOC, that we are now out there, we are now available to fight the wars that we are fighting," Andreotta said. "Not only today, but in the future."