"Per Ardua ad Astra ('Through Struggle to the Stars')"
- Motto of the Royal Australian Air Force

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air superiority fighter missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom, and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on December 15th, 2006.

The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the USAF and other air forces. It is the smallest, lightest version and capable of 9 g, the highest of all variants.

Although the F-35A currently conducts aerial refueling via boom and receptacle method, the aircraft can be modified for probe-and-drogue refueling if needed by the customer. A drag chute pod can be installed on the F-35A, with the Royal Norwegian Air Force being the first operator to adopt it.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RAAF Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter that was attached to No.3 Squadron, which participated in Exercise Arnhem Thunder during 2021. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-3/4-inches
Length: 8-1/2-inches

Release Date: March 2022

Historical Account: "Exercise Arnhem Thunder" - As one of Air Force's largest domestic training exercises for 2021, Arnhem Thunder provides important force generation training, focusing on high-end collective training and involving multiple Force Element Groups (FEGs).

Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Tim Alsop, said Arnhem Thunder focused on Air Combat Group's interoperability with other FEGs - Air Mobility Group, Surveillance and Response Group, and Combat Support Group - in an offensive counter-air environment from a deployed location.

"Exposure to large-scale, multi-FEG scenarios in an away-base environment is of vital importance to the training outcomes of all elements across Air Force," Air Commodore Alsop said.

"Operating out of RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, Exercise Arnhem Thunder provides an excellent venue for cross-FEG interoperability, high-end air power missions, as well as airbase activation in an austere environment.

"The exercise will begin with force integration training and large force employment scenarios, followed by a forward operating base being activated by a contingency response squadron and other combat support elements.

"Collective training for missions such as this must be routinely practiced so that Air Force is ready to respond to the defense of Australia when required.

"We are all very excited about being in the Top End to carry out our training and I thank the local community for their support."

Arnhem Thunder was conducted from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal from May 17th to June 15th, 2021, and utilized the Mount Bundey Training Area, and Delamere Air Weapons Range.

Aircraft deployed to the exercise include the F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18A/B Hornet, Hawk 127, C-130J Hercules, C-17A Globemaster, C-27J Spartan, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, and E-7A Wedgetail.

Arnhem Thunder will see the F-35A Lightning II operate out of RAAF Base Darwin for the very first time.