The F-35A is the US Air Force’s variant of the Joint Strike Fighter—yet is broadly similar to the Navy’s F-35C, and could be substituted for it during training.

An elite U.S. Navy test and evaluation squadron, the VX-9 “Vampires” based out of NAWS China Lake, are now flying the U.S.

Record deliveries made 2025 a landmark year for the F-35, but low capability rates still challenge the world’s most advanced fighter.