Canada to say good bye to the CF-18...

[P3_Super_Bee]

...and hello to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Lockheed Martin Press Release
FORT WORTH, Texas, July 16th, 2010 -- The Government of Canada today announced plans to acquire the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II as the country’s next-generation fighter aircraft. The F-35 will replace Canada’s fleet of CF-18 Hornets that entered service in the early 1980s.

LINK to full Press Release

Canada has been apart of the JSF Development Program from the beginning.

[Luka]

[quote=P3_Super_Bee;556011]...and hello to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II



-We in Australia are getting the F-35 in 2012...or maybe the next year...or maybe the one after that...Okay when the thing has been built! Alot of design problems and getting it to do what its advertised to do...But Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm sure once its out it'll kick some serious date! Katherine will house most of them, but they are going to spend alot of time here in Darwin, buzzing low-level, giving nerds like me a HUGE thrill...They are already preparing us locals, telling them that the noise from fighters around Darwin is only going to get worse...MUCH worse.
"Oh the power..."
PS: Operation Pitch Black is on and running here in Darwin again! F-18s and 16s going for it on each others arses! (maybe i should re-phrase that.)

[P3_Super_Bee]

-We in Australia are getting the F-35 in 2012...

Yep Those to have ordered the F-35...

USAF, USN, USMC
Australia
Italy
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Turkey
Norway
Demark
Canada

Those looking to order...

Israel **
Singapore **
India
Finland
Brazil
Taiwan (first request denied, a second request has been submitted)
Japan (looks here, like LM isn't going to give Japan a licence to build either)
South Korea
United Arab Emirates (has asked for info to buy, but no US response yet)
Greece
Spain (has gone as far as having a future built ship adapted to be able to support the F-35B)

** of those on the interested list Israel and Singapore are the closest to ordering.

As of 12th of July all R&D/Test aircraft are either on the production line or are currently in test. (I think its the remaining F-35C test aircraft that are left on the line, all Alpha's and Bravo's have been completed.

There are also at least 31 production models on the line as well.

[Luka]

Yep Those to have ordered the F-35...

USAF, USN, USMC
Australia
Italy
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Turkey
Norway
Demark
Canada

Those looking to order...

Israel **
Singapore **
India
Finland
Brazil
Taiwan (first request denied, a second request has been submitted)
Japan (looks here, like LM isn't going to give Japan a licence to build either)
South Korea
United Arab Emirates (has asked for info to buy, but no US response yet)
Greece
Spain (has gone as far as having a future built ship adapted to be able to support the F-35B)

** of those on the interested list Israel and Singapore are the closest to ordering.

As of 12th of July all R&D/Test aircraft are either on the production line or are currently in test. (I think its the remaining F-35C test aircraft that are left on the line, all Alpha's and Bravo's have been completed.

There are also at least 31 production models on the line as well.

- Thanks for that. Its good to hear that its up and running...i'm sure i'm not the only one that got a bit worried there for a bit. We had to extend the life of our old F-18s (with micro fractures in the frame) - And buy some Super Hornets to keep the edge in the region (although there are some new Migs in the region now so, i doubt we still have that, hence: Bring on the Lightning!)
Gees, Japans going to be pissed! To bad, so sad...
I think you Yanky Doodles won't win ANY friends if Israel gets some either!
We all know Russia just plans to copy this (or its concepts) - (Steady SYDCBRWOD) - But what will China do in response? Especially if S. Korea gets some...Any ideas anyone?