Fact Check: The F-35 fleet has flown over 800,000 hours globally.

Fact Check: "The F-35 fleet has flown over 800,000 hours globally."

What We Know

The claim states that the F-35 fleet has flown over 800,000 hours globally. However, recent announcements from Lockheed Martin indicate that the global F-35 fleet has actually surpassed 1 million flight hours as of March 3, 2025. This milestone was celebrated as a significant achievement for the program, showcasing the F-35's capabilities and operational success across various military services worldwide (Lockheed Martin, The Aviationist).

Analysis

The assertion that the F-35 fleet has flown over 800,000 hours is misleading because it underrepresents the actual flight hours logged by the fleet. As of March 2025, the F-35 fleet has officially reached 1 million flight hours, which includes operational and testing flights across multiple variants of the aircraft (Lockheed Martin, Janes).

The sources reporting this milestone, including Lockheed Martin's official press releases and reputable aviation news outlets, provide reliable information. Lockheed Martin, being the manufacturer of the F-35, has a vested interest in promoting the aircraft's success, but the data regarding flight hours is corroborated by multiple independent sources (KSL, Overt Defense).

In contrast, the claim may stem from outdated information or misinterpretation of previous flight hour milestones. For instance, the Airbus A380 fleet has logged over 800,000 flights, but this is unrelated to the F-35's flight hours and may have contributed to the confusion (Airbus A380).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the F-35 fleet has flown over 800,000 hours globally is inaccurate. The correct figure, as of March 2025, is that the F-35 fleet has surpassed 1 million flight hours. This significant milestone highlights the operational success and extensive use of the F-35 across various military branches.

Sources

1. Airbus A380
2. F-35 Global Fleet Dominates the Sky, Surpasses 1 Million Flight Hours
3. One Million F-35 Flight Hours and Counting
4. F-35 Fleet Soars Past One Million Flight Hours - The Aviationist
5. F-35 fleet hits 1 million flight hours; DOD reevaluating heavy reliance ...
6. Global F-35 fleet has surpassed a million flight hours, Lockheed Martin ...
7. Global F-35 fleet passes 1 million flight hours - Janes
8. Global F-35 Fleet Hits 1 Million Flight Hours Milestone