The F-35 Lightning II has ever been touted as the rockstar of new fighter aircraft—stealthy, loaded with next-generation tech, and designed to rule the skies. Yet, beneath the airshow spectacle and pricey promo videos, the F-35’s life has not been smooth sailing. It’s one of revolutionary breakthroughs, expensive delays, and a worldwide rush to win fifth-generation airpower.
Let’s begin with what makes it unique. The F-35 isn’t merely a handsome plane—it’s packed full of features that are revolutionizing combat. One of the major upgrades was the rollout of Interim Full Motion Video (IFMV) on the F-35B. Thanks to efforts by the Kill Chain Integration Branch at Hanscom Air Force Base, the Marines can now stream live video streams with location information directly to ground troops.
That translates to quicker coordination, smarter targeting, and improved protection for friendly forces. Lt. Col. Mike DiMaria described it as a “game-changer,” and he isn’t far off. The actual innovation is how it was constructed on an Open Mission Systems (OMS) foundation—essentially a plug-and-play system that facilitates easier and more affordable ways to include new capabilities.
DiMaria noted that OMS is officially a Department of Defense standard now, and the F-35’s IFMV deployment testifies that it can be used. Capt. Ronald Windham summarized it succinctly: “The team has built it. The OMS framework exists, and it’s operational.”. The new capability in the next wave is unlimited.
Flying the jet is a different experience altogether. Pilots transitioning from the F-16 to the F-35 say it’s like entering a different dimension. For those used to dealing with the Marine Corps, it wasn’t a matter of learning new tactics but also fitting into a completely different aviation culture. The F-35B’s ability to land vertically, powered by a huge lift fan, allows the plane to land on smaller amphibious ships, with commanders having the flexibility to place cutting-edge airpower anywhere it is required.
Maj. Graeme Ross described holding a 40,000-pound fighter in hovering position over a ship deck as “a very weird feeling,” but the technology makes it unexpectedly smooth. What truly takes pilots aback is the situational awareness of the cockpit. Rather than frantically searching for data, they see everything in great detail while remaining almost completely out of sight to the adversary. Capt. Spencer Weide described how, on his first Red Flag flight, he was cool and composed, thanks to the information superiority of the jet.
The Marine exchange program wasn’t just a matter of flying differently—it also provided valuable lessons in naval operations and logistics for Air Force pilots, getting them prepared for closer integration down the road.
Naturally, the F-35’s story has not been drama-free. Its modernization program costs a whopping $16.5 billion to upgrade everything from sensors to weapons systems. But development has been hampered by delays in software and doubts about the new engine and cooling needs. And the cost of maintaining these aircraft continues to rise. In 2018, lifetime sustainment was estimated at $1.1 trillion.
Five years later, that rose to $1.58 trillion, in part because the fleet is now expected to continue flying into the late 2080s. While the services reduced flying hours to save cash, costs continue to escalate. The Pentagon shaved billions from cost estimates by making things work better, but repair backlogs and sluggish component replacement still idle too many jets. The program embodies a bet: invest more now with the hope of saving later, while keeping the jets ready to fly when they’re called upon.
The rest of the world hasn’t been oblivious, though. For years, the F-35 served as the ultimate status symbol for nations seeking to enhance their military presence. But membership always came with strings attached. Saudi Arabia, for instance, once keen to join the club, has begun looking elsewhere for alternatives such as Turkey’s KAAN fighter aircraft. Constructed by Turkish Aerospace Industries and BAE Systems, the KAAN took to the skies for the first time in early 2024 and has already attracted Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.
One reason is political. U.S. weapons sales are strictly controlled, frequently delayed, and sometimes even blocked altogether to keep Israel ahead. For Saudi Arabia, a fighter such as the KAAN presents an end run around the limitations, with the added benefit of local manufacture and quicker delivery. In contrast with other ventures such as the sixth-generation GCAP program, Turkey’s fighter is in a more advanced stage and more accessible, making it a strong candidate for those fed up with waiting in line for the F-35.
So where does that leave the F-35? It’s still the standard for now, the plane that embodies fifth-generation airpower. But the cost, development setbacks, and export issues are giving rise to challenges.
Nations desire cutting-edge capability, but cheaper, faster, and without strings. The international fighter market is becoming a contest not only of hardware, but of influence and autonomy. The F-35 saga is not coming to an end any time soon, but the skies are becoming increasingly congested, and the competition for air supremacy is only just starting.