What the makers of the F-35 stealth fighter say is needed to tackle the jet's cost and readiness concerns
Story by jepstein@businessinsider.com (Jake Epstein) • 1h
A salvaged F-35 fighter made from two wrecked aircraft is set to return to the US Air Force's fleet.
The restoration began in 2023. The jet took its maiden flight in January less than two years later.
The "Franken-bird" cost about $6 million to repair, whereas a new F-35 costs over $80 million.
A one-of-a-kind F-35 stealth fighter built from two wrecked aircraft is set to make an unprecedented return to the US Air Force's operational fleet.
The so-called "Franken-bird" was restored through a collaboration between airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, the F-35A Lightning II Joint Program Office, and Lockheed Martin.
The F-35 JPO first assessed the feasibility of the restoration project in January 2020, and work on a pieced-together stealth fighter began in late 2023 at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex.
"All of the aircraft sections can be de-mated and re-mated theoretically, but it's just never been done before," Scott Taylor, Lockheed Martin's lead mechanical engineer on the project, said in a press release announcing the project in 2023. "This is the first F-35 'Frankin-bird' to date. This is history."
Less than two years later, the "Franken-bird" jet made its maiden flight on January 16. Following the successful functional check flight, the salvaged F-35 is set to undergo final tests and work before returning to combat status.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/what-the-makers-of-the-f-35-stealth-fighter-say-is-needed-to-tackle-the-jet-s-cost-and-readiness-concerns/ar-AA1A22OQ?ocid=widgetonlockscreen&cvid=1499a756bee64bc9b23b502f0c39e15a&ei=106
