The first test flight of the F-35A fighter purchased by Poland

In August, the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth in the United States took place presentation of the first F-35 fighter for the Polish Air Force. On this day, our country celebrates Polish Aviation Day.

On Monday, three months after the official presentation, the Polish fighter took to the sky over Texas.

READ ALSO: F-35 for Poland. “Deterrence is what we're counting on here.”

According to the portal, the plane marked with the number AZ-02 c/n 3502 made a successful flight, taking off from the air base in Fort Worth, Texas, next to the Lockheed Martin plant. The flight was scheduled to last just over an hour. Another F-35A belonging to the Alabama Air National Guard participated.

The first F-35A aircraft – which, like the remaining 31 machines in Polish service, will be called “Husarz” – was officially presented and formally handed over to Poland during a ceremony in Fort Worth in August. According to the company's announcement, Polish pilots are to start training on it at the Ebbing Air Base in Arkansas in December.

According to Lockheed Martin's announcement, a second such fighter will be delivered to the Ebbing base this year, and six more units are to be delivered there by the end of 2025. The first F-35As will arrive in Poland in 2026, first to the base in Łask, and in 2027 to the base in Świdwin.

According to the contract signed in 2020, Poland is to receive 32 fighters with a training package and spare engines for a total amount of USD 4.6 billion.

The planes that Poland will receive are the F-35A variant. Compared to the remaining variants, B and C, it has a greater range and armament capacity, but unlike variant B, it does not have a short take-off and vertical landing system. The Hussars will feature the latest technology updates, including a new processor, improved cockpit display system and additional memory. This modernization is also intended to enable further aircraft updates in the future.