F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Next Generation Fighter Capability

1 FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 20, 2012 On Feb. 16, the first external weapons test mission was flown by an F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., further expanding the program's flight test envelope. The weapons load for this mission involved carrying two air-to-air A IM-9X missiles on the outboard wing stations. In addition, the F-35 carried two internal 2,000-pound guided bombs (GBU-31) and two advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AIM-120) inside the two internal weapon bays. No weapons were delivered during the mission. The jet also had mounted four external pylons that can carry 2000-pound air-to-ground weapons. The F-35A 5th Generation fighter is designed to carry up to 18,000 pounds on 10 weapon stations featuring four weapon stations inside two weapon bays, for maximum stealth capability, and an additional three weapon stations on each wing.
2 The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, highlights an important milestone in Canada's contribution to the multinational Joint Strike Fighter program at Acorp in Delta, British Columbia. Minister Fantino discussed Canada's decision to participate in the development of new state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft with its allies to replace its aging CF-18 fleet, and the additional work our participation creates for Canadian workers. Today workers celebrated the crating of Canadian manufactured outboard wings for the F-35 Carrier Variant in service.
3 The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, highlights an important milestone in Canada's contribution to the multinational Joint Strike Fighter program at AIT Canada in Aldergrove, British Columbia. Minister Fantino discussed Canada's decision to participate in the development of new state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft with its allies to replace its aging CF-18 fleet, and the additional work our participation creates for Canadian workers. Today workers celebrated the shipment of Canadian manufactured EMAS positioners to the F-35 assembly line in Italy.
4 FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 19, 2012 - The first night flight in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Program was completed Wednesday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Mark Ward, AF-6, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, launched at 5:05 p.m. PST and landed after sunset at 6:22 p.m.
5 October 25, 2011 - The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, cut the ribbon at Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to officially open the facility manufacturing the F-35 tail wing structure for Canada and its multinational Joint Strike Fighter partners. From left to right: Ms. Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO of Red River College, Mr. Don Boitson, VP and General manager, Magellan Aerospace, Minister Fantino, Mr. James S. Butyniec, President and CEO, Magellan Aerospace and Manitoba Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Peter Bjornson. Photo credit: Magellan Aerospace Corporation.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 20, 2012 On Feb. 16, the first external weapons test mission was flown by an F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., further expanding the program's flight test envelope. The weapons load for this mission involved carrying two air-to-air A IM-9X missiles on the outboard wing stations. In addition, the F-35 carried two internal 2,000-pound guided bombs (GBU-31) and two advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AIM-120) inside the two internal weapon bays. No weapons were delivered during the mission. The jet also had mounted four external pylons that can carry 2000-pound air-to-ground weapons. The F-35A 5th Generation fighter is designed to carry up to 18,000 pounds on 10 weapon stations featuring four weapon stations inside two weapon bays, for maximum stealth capability, and an additional three weapon stations on each wing.

The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, highlights an important milestone in Canada's contribution to the multinational Joint Strike Fighter program at Acorp in Delta, British Columbia. Minister Fantino discussed Canada's decision to participate in the development of new state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft with its allies to replace its aging CF-18 fleet, and the additional work our participation creates for Canadian workers. Today workers celebrated the crating of Canadian manufactured outboard wings for the F-35 Carrier Variant in service.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 19, 2012 - The first night flight in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Program was completed Wednesday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Mark Ward, AF-6, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, launched at 5:05 p.m. PST and landed after sunset at 6:22 p.m.

October 25, 2011 - The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, cut the ribbon at Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to officially open the facility manufacturing the F-35 tail wing structure for Canada and its multinational Joint Strike Fighter partners. From left to right: Ms. Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO of Red River College, Mr. Don Boitson, VP and General manager, Magellan Aerospace, Minister Fantino, Mr. James S. Butyniec, President and CEO, Magellan Aerospace and Manitoba Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Peter Bjornson. Photo credit: Magellan Aerospace Corporation.

Context

In July 2010, the Government of Canada announced it is acquiring the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35, a fifth generation fighter jet, to replace its fourth generation fleet of CF-18s, which are expected to reach the end of their operational life in the 2017-2020 timeframe. Delivery of the new aircraft is expected to start in 2016.

The Canada First Defence Strategy states that the Canadian Forces will acquire a next-generation fighter capability that will help them carry out their core missions of defending the sovereignty of Canadian and North American airspace through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and providing Canada with an effective and modern capability for international operations.