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The return of the F-35!

The most advanced fifth-generation multi-role fighter jet, the F-35A Lightning II, is once again heading to NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days. Two of these aircraft will further enhance the already extensive static display of the U.S. Air Force.

This cutting-edge machine will be part of NATO Days for the fourth consecutive year. In 2021, it was first showcased in a static display by the Italian Air Force, marking the debut of a fifth-generation fighter jet at NATO Days. The following year, it appeared in Dutch colors during a flyby. However, last year's event was truly groundbreaking, with five F-35s gathered at the Mošnov airport. For the first time ever at an event in Central and Eastern Europe, the American F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team performed a full dynamic display, alongside the British F-35B, which demonstrated its ability to hover.

"The U.S. Air Force will showcase its strategic airlift capabilities, a multi-role drone, and now its most modern combat aircraft at Mošnov airport. We are extremely pleased to offer visitors such a diverse range of exceptional machines this year,” commented Zbyněk Pavlačík, Chairman of Jagello 2000. "We continue to confirm our status as the only European event in which the F-35 aircraft participates every year."

The F-35 comes in three variants – the standard A version, the B version with STOVL capability (short takeoff and vertical landing), and the C version designed for aircraft carriers. Currently, many armed forces around the world operate these aircraft, with the primary users being the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Japan.

Due to its outstanding capabilities and reliability, other countries are also planning to incorporate it into their fleets. For example, the Czech Republic plans to acquire 24 of these multi-role aircraft in the F-35A version, with the first deliveries expected in 2029.

The features that classify the F-35 as a fifth-generation fighter include radar invisibility ("stealth"), high maneuverability, advanced avionics, and multi-role capability. The development of the F-35 was primarily driven by the need to replace the F-16 fleet, but due to its versatility, air forces are also starting to use it to replace aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the legendary AV-8B Harrier II.

See you at
NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 2024!