F-35s

 Copilot:

Military; what kind of jet fighter does Canada have on order from the USA?

Canada has committed to purchasing the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet from the United States, specifically the F-35A variant, which is designed for conventional takeoff and landing operations.

Here’s the current status of the order:

🇨🇦 Confirmed Purchase: Canada has fully paid for 4 F-35A jets and procured parts for 8 more, totaling 16 aircraft already in production.

🛫 Training Plans: These jets will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base in the U.S., where Canadian pilots and maintenance crews will begin training in 2026.

🔄 Full Fleet Review: While the original plan was to acquire 88 jets to replace the aging CF-188 Hornets, the remaining 72 aircraft are still under review. Ottawa is reportedly evaluating European alternatives as part of this reassessment.

Canada has been involved in the Joint Strike Fighter program since 1997, and Canadian companies have secured over $1.8 billion in contracts related to the F-35. So while the full fleet decision is pending, the first wave of F-35s is locked in and moving forward.

Want to dive into the differences between the F-35A, B, and C variants or explore how this fits into Canada’s broader defense strategy?

Who originally designed this jet?

The F-35 Lightning II was originally designed by Lockheed Martin, specifically through its legendary Skunk Works® division—the same team behind iconic aircraft like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird.

Here’s a quick breakdown of its design origins:

🛠️ Joint Strike Fighter Program: The F-35 emerged from a U.S. Department of Defense competition in the 1990s to develop a versatile, next-generation multirole fighter. Lockheed Martin’s X-35 prototype beat Boeing’s X-32 in 2001.

✈️ Three Variants, One Platform: Lockheed Martin engineered the F-35 to serve the U.S. Air Force (F-35A), Marine Corps (F-35B), and Navy (F-35C), each with unique capabilities but sharing a common core design.

🔬 Skunk Works Innovation: The initial concept was born in Skunk Works as a 5th-generation stealth fighter, incorporating advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and low-observable technology.

If you're curious, I can walk you through how the lift fan system in the F-35B was a game-changing innovation—or how the design evolved through 25+ prototype models. Want to explore that?

Who is currently building it?

The F-35 Lightning II is currently being built by Lockheed Martin, which serves as the lead contractor and system integrator for the program. But it’s far from a solo act—this jet is the centerpiece of one of the most complex and international defense manufacturing efforts in history.

Here’s how the production breaks down:

🛠️ Primary Manufacturer

Lockheed Martin (USA): Final assembly and system integration, primarily at its facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

🔧 Major Industry Partners

Northrop Grumman (USA): Builds the center fuselage and provides key avionics and mission systems.

BAE Systems (UK): Responsible for the aft fuselage, electronic warfare systems, and crucial flight control software.

RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies) (USA): Supplies the F-35’s advanced radar and other sensors.

🌍 Global Supply Chain

Over 1,900 suppliers across 10+ countries contribute components, including Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and Japan.

Final assembly and checkout (FACO) facilities also exist in Italy (Cameri) and Japan (Nagoya), supporting regional production and maintenance.

So while Lockheed Martin is the name on the marquee, the F-35 is truly a global collaboration—a flying example of multinational engineering at scale. Want to zoom in on Canada’s specific contributions to the jet?