WASHINGTON: A unique fighter jet built from two damaged F-35s is now flying for the US Air Force. Nicknamed “Frankenjet,” this stealth fighter is fully operational and combat ready, according to Air Force officials.
The F-35 Joint Program Office confirmed the aircraft passed all performance tests and supports current missions.
It was created from salvaged parts of two separate jets damaged years apart in unrelated accidents.
Military engineers combined the usable front and rear parts to construct a complete working aircraft.
Accident Origins
In 2014, F-35A jet “AF-27” caught fire after an engine failure at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
A shattered rotor arm damaged the engine, cut fuel lines, and tore through the fuselage.
The rear two-thirds of the aircraft suffered severe fire damage during that training incident.
Years later, in 2020, another F-35A, “AF-211,” sustained nose damage after its landing gear failed.
That incident occurred at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and left the jet’s front section unusable.
Creative Solution
With two broken jets, engineers decided to combine the nose from AF-27 and rear from AF-211.
This decision came in 2022 as an effort to save money and return a jet to service.
Specialized tools and equipment were developed at Hill AFB for this unique reconstruction.
Mechanical lead Scott Taylor of Lockheed Martin said re-mating F-35 sections was never done before.
He called it “history” and the first-ever “Franken-bird” of the F-35 series.
First Flight
It took nearly two and a half years to complete the complex Frankenjet rebuild.
In January, the new aircraft flew from Hill AFB to Lockheed Martin’s Texas facility.
The test flight pushed the aircraft’s limits and results showed excellent performance throughout.
It behaved like a jet fresh off the production line, said lead engineer Jeffrey Jensen.
Late March, Frankenjet returned to Hill AFB and rejoined its original fighter wing unit.
Money Saved
The Air Force spent $11.7 million on the project instead of buying a new F-35.
A new jet would’ve cost around $75 million, saving taxpayers nearly $63 million.
Frankenjet is now assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, where AF-211 once belonged.
The Air Force currently operates 383 F-35As, according to defense statistics.
F-35 Models
There are three versions of the F-35 stealth fighter in the US military.
The Marine Corps uses the F-35B, which can take off vertically from short runways.
The Navy uses the F-35C, specially designed to operate from aircraft carriers at sea.
These advanced jets give US forces a technological edge in stealth and combat capability.
Seventeen countries now use or are acquiring the F-35, Lockheed Martin reported recently.
International Reach
US allies have adopted the F-35 for its multi-role performance and global interoperability.
The program supports global defense partnerships, with Lockheed delivering jets worldwide.
The F-35 is among the world’s most advanced stealth fighter programs today.
Its networked sensors, stealth, and powerful engines make it dominant in modern air battles.
Frankenjet joins this elite group despite its unusual and historic creation story.
Tech Innovation
Lockheed and Air Force engineers created entirely new tools to assemble the Frankenjet.
Their innovation set a precedent for potential future reconstructions of damaged aircraft.
Officials say this process could help extend fleet life and cut replacement costs.
The Frankenjet symbolizes a blend of military ingenuity, budget strategy, and technical skill.
