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Canada buys F-35 Lightning II from Lockheed Martin |
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 The Government of Canada announced plans to acquire
the Lockheed Martin 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.
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“We’re very pleased with the decision and
are committed to supporting the Government of Canada in moving forward
with the F-35,” said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice
president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration. “The
Lightning II will help ensure Canada’s national security, and also
positions Canadian industry to immediately capture long-term work that
will endure for the next 30 years.”
The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th
generation stealth fighter developed and funded by a consortium of nine
countries, including Canada. It is designed to excel in both air-to-air
and air-to-ground operations and features the most comprehensive and
powerful avionics of any fighter ever produced. Canada plans to acquire
65 F-35s to replace the CF-18 fleet that is currently in service.
Delivery of Canada’s F-35s will begin in 2016.
Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed
together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide, will
replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making
the Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter program in history.
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The Government of Canada announced plans to acquire
the Lockheed Martin 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.
