Watch: US F-35 fighter jets make a stunning debut at Aero India 2023

In a historic first, the United States Air Force’s (USAF) newest fifth-generation fighters multirole F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter – considered the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter jet in the world – made their debut at the 2023 edition of the Aero India air show which began in Bengaluru today.

“After a long journey from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, United States, the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will impress crowds with a demo of its unique aerial capabilities at Asia’s largest aero show,” said the US Embassy on Monday afternoon.

The F-35A Lightning II from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska will be on static display.

The F-35’s engine produces 43,000 pounds of thrust and consists of a 3-stage fan, a 6-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a 2-stage low-pressure turbine.

The F-35 also serves as the backbone of allied airpower for 13 nations, playing a critical role in joint domain operations.

US global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin provides transformational technology to develop, produce and sustain the F-35 from the production line to the flight line.

In addition to the F-35, an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo will conduct daily aerial demonstrations from February 13-17, showcasing the capability of one of the USAF’s leading fighter jets. On static display, the F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are multirole fighters.

“The F-35 represents the leading-edge of US fighter technology. Aero India is an ideal forum to showcase the most advanced, capable, lethal, and interoperable weapons systems the U.S. has to offer. This system and others are designed to penetrate and defeat advanced adversary air defences,” said Major General Julian C Cheater, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the US Air Force, International Affairs.

Earlier today, the head of the US delegation to Aero India Charge d’Affaires Ambassador A Elizabeth Jones opened the USA Partnership Pavilion at the Aero India 2023 show.

Jones stated that the size of the US delegation and growing diplomatic and security cooperation over the last year show that the US-India strategic partnership is one of Washington’s “most consequential” relationships.

“India and the United States are working together in so many ways to ensure a free and open, prosperous, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, where our democracies can thrive,” said Jones.

The coming days will see American Air power operating alongside the Indian Air Force with an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo, one of the USAF’s leading fighter jets, conducting daily aerial demonstrations.

Leading US defence companies participating in Aero India 2023 with exhibits in the USA Partnership Pavilion include Aero Metals Alliance, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), Astronautics Corporation of America, Boeing, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, GE Aerospace, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc, Hi-Tech Import Export Corporation, Jonal Laboratories, Inc., Kallman Worldwide, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, TW Metals, LLC, and United Performance Metals.

The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific’s seven-member music ensemble Final Approach, based out of Yokota Air Base in Japan, will also perform for the public at Aero India on February 16. The rock band will also perform for the general public at the Saint Joseph’s University auditorium, Langford Road in Bengaluru.

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