‘Franken-Lightning’ Built from Two Damaged F-35s Rejoins USAF Fleet

‘New’ F-35 Assembled from Two Wrecked Jets Makes Its First Flight

The Air Force’s first-ever effort to stitch two damaged F-35s into a single stealth fighter is nearing its final stages, with successful functional check flights now complete. Dubbed the “Franken-bird,” the aircraft made its inaugural flight Jan. 16, a spokesperson for the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The fighter is now at Lockheed Martin’s assembly plant at Fort Worth, Texas, for additional…

‘Franken-Lightning’ Built from Two Damaged F-35s Rejoins USAF Fleet

The U.S. Air Force has successfully restored an F-35A Lightning II using two previously damaged F-35 aircraft. In a press release, the U.S. Air Force’s 388th Fighter Wing, which announced the development, said an interagency team involving the F-35 Joint Program Office, the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, the 388th Fighter Wing, and Lockheed Martin participated in the restoration project. According to The Aviationist, the aircraft, also known as “F…