World’s Largest Stealth Fighter Fleet: The U.S. Air Force Receives its 500th F-35A

The U.S. Air Force has cemented its position as the world’s largest operator of fifth generation fighter aircraft with the receipt of its 500th F-35A, which was delivered to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville. The fighter was one of the first three assigned to the fighter wing, which transitioned from the Cold War era F-15C/D air superiority fighter delivered in the 1980s, the last of which are currently being phased out of service. Commenting on the delivery, commander of the 159th Fighter Squadron Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Pasko observed: “These new F-35s, which include the Air Force’s 500th, represent the forefront of fifth-generation airpower.” “We expect to play an integral role in potential future conflicts, and our citizen-Airmen stand ready to answer the nation’s call; anytime, anywhere,” he added.

Regarding the improvement to combat capabilities provided by the new F-35 delivery,commander of the Florida Air National Guard Brigadier General Richard L. Coffey observed: “The Guard’s ability to field fifth-generation aircraft in key regions gives combatant commanders the reach, resilience and rapid response they need… Jacksonville’s strategic location and joint partnerships expand the Air Force’s options and ensure our Airmen are at the forefront of our nation’s defence.” The F-35A was initially intended to replace the F-16C/D lightweight fighter and A-10 ground attack jet in the U.S. Air Force, but has more recently been selected to replace F-15C/D fighters that have remained operational long past their intended service lives. The F-15C/D fleet was previously intended to be replaced by the earlier F-22 fifth generation fighter, before major shortcomings with the program led to deep cuts to production which left the older Cold War era jets in service indefinitely.

Jacksonville is the fourth Air National Guard wing to operate the F-35, joining units in Vermont, Wisconsin, and Alabama, as well as nine units in the Air Force, for a total of 13 F-35A units in American service. The U.S. Air Force has been by far the largest client for the fighter, and has made procurements at rates of approximately 48 per year, although this is set to be cut to just 24 in Fiscal Year 2026 due to budget shortages and the need to prioritise funding for the F-47 sixth generation fighter program. The F-35 provides a major improvement in beyond visual range air-to-air capabilities for the Air National Guard, due to its cutting edge avionics and stealth capacities, although in the Air Force its ability to remain viable as China begins to bring its first sixth generation fighters into service in the early 2030s has increasingly been questioned.

Despite its strengths, the F-35 has a number of drawbacks compared to many of its rivals for air defence duties. The aircraft integrates a significantly weaker radar than the F-15EX which the Air National Guard is also procuring, and has a much shorter range and lower weapons carrying capacity than all variants of the F-15, as well as much slower speed. These are all constraining factors on its ability to defend the particularly vast airspace of the continental United States. The fighter’s far lower availability rates than the F-15s, F-16s, and A-10s it has replaced have also negatively affected the combat capabilities of squadrons that have transitioned to them, as have issues with reliability and the persistence of bugs particularly in its complex software.