Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight from Fort Worth, Texas, on September 23, 2026, bringing the Royal Canadian Air Force closer to fielding a fifth-generation fighter for NORAD, NATO and Arctic missions, according to Lockheed Martin Canada. The aircraft, designated AR-1, will give Canada a more survivable and networked combat platform for detecting and responding to advanced threats across the vast northern approaches to North America. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight from Fort Worth, Texas, marking a major step toward replacing the RCAF’s aging CF-18 fleet with fifth-generation combat capability (Picture Source: Lockheed Martin Canada) |