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Why No One Touched the F-35 Fighters Escorting B-2 Stealth Bombers Over Iran

Expert Reuben F. Johnson pairs a personal story of a lost naval aviator with the F-35’s combat debut as both “tip of the ...
The National Interest

The F-35 Lightning II Could Soon Fly Without a Pilot

Although an F-35 flew for 11 minutes in 2023 after a pilot ejected, a fully autonomous fighter would be a game-changer. When it comes to futuristic uncrewed aircraft, the US Air Force’s progressing ...
Task & Purpose

Why does the US have F-35s flying anti-cartel missions in the Caribbean?

F-35 fighters are designed to fight a high-tech war against a near-peer adversary. The US military is using them to combat drug smugglers. By Jeff Schogol Published Sep 19, 2025 4:07 PM EDT The F-35 ...
The National Interest

The F-35 Lightning II Is Still the Greatest Fighter Jet in the World

As of August 2025, Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has delivered more than 1,215 F-35 stealth fighter jets of all types. Today, the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet is the most ...