Inside Lightning Storm

Air Commodore Tim Alsop discusses the training exercise that put the F-35 through its paces alongside the E-7A Wedgetail, F/A-18A Hornets and KC-30A Tankers

The F-35 is designed to be the most technologically advanced air combat capability ever fielded by the RAAF, combining low observability, unprecedented levels of sensor fusion and next generation weapons. But, in truth, it hasn’t been without its teething problems. 

While much of these have been borne in large part by the US, by far the largest customer of the platform, the public perception has nevertheless landed in Australia as well. However, Exercise Lightning Storm has revealed the true potential of the wonder jet, particularly when combined with the RAAF’s other leading-edge capabilities.