INTRODUCTION: GAME CHANGER - Many of those associated with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II programme have referred to this revolutionary fighter aircraft as a game changer. Jamie Hunter introduces the F-35 and its journey to date.

UK LEADERSHIP:
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL - Air Commodore Lincoln Taylor is the Assistant Chief of Staff, Capability Delivery - Combat Air, Royal Air Force. He is also the UK Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the F-35.
UK FLIGHT TEST: PAX PIONEERS - BAE Systems has played a central role in the F-35 Integrated Test Force and will continue to do so as future capabilities are rolled out.
UK LIGHTNING FORCE: ‘DAMBUSTERS’ RETURN HOME - On June 6, the British Lightning programme took a major step forward as No 617 Squadron 'Dambusters' brought its first aircraft back to RAF Marham, Norfolk.
LATEST NEWS: LOOKING AHEAD - With the System Development and Demonstration phase complete, the Joint Operational Test Team is gearing up for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation - the F-35's most stringent test to date.

F-35A INTO SERVICE:
A STEALTH AIR FORCE - The US Air Force will be numerically the largest operator of the Lightning II. It has now declared the F-35A ready for combat and is beginning to deploy the aircraft globally.
F-35B INTO SERVICE: LEADING FROM THE FRONT - The US Marine Corps was the first service to declare initial operational capability with the Lightning II and is now deploying its F-35Bs aboard amphibious assault ships.
F-35C INTO SERVICE: A FLIGHT DECK REVOLUTION - The US Navy is the last of the three US services to take the Lightning II through to initial operating capability (IOC). It's been a long path from initial flight to service entry.
TEST REVIEW: A TEST OF CHARACTER - The F-35 accomplished the final developmental test flight of the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the programme on April 11, 2018. It marked the culmination of the initial major phase of testing, and represents one of the most significant milestones to date.

OPERATOR PROFILES:
AUSTRALIAN AMBITION - Australia is one of the strongest advocates of the F-35, and is set to purchase up to 100 aircraft to replace its F/A-18A/B Hornets.
ADIR INTO COMBAT - The Israeli Air Force has been very proactive with its F-35As and is the first to have exposed them to combat operations.
LIGHTNING’S EUROPEAN HUB - Italy is set to operate both the F-35A and B variants and has also secured considerable industrial benefits.
MISAWA MASTERS - Having commenced initial training at Luke AFB, the Japan Air Self­Defense Force has begun transferring F-35s to its base at Misawa.
LIGHTNING PIONEERS - The Netherlands will be among the smallest F-35 operators in terms of numbers, but it has played a significant role in the project from the outset.
ARCTIC WARRIORS - Norway has been unwavering in its support of the F-35 programme, and is well advanced with becoming operationally ready.
KOREA JOINS THE CLUB - The Republic of Korea is one of the latest operators to begin flying its F-35s. Alongside a floundering domestic fighter project, the F-35 offers the ROKAF a significant step up in capability.
TURKISH TENSIONS - The Turkish Air Force is set to become a major operator of the F-35. However, amid deteriorating relations with the US, some in Washington are looking to block deliveries