First F-35A for Canada makes maiden flight in Texas

Canada's first F-35A Lightning II made its maiden flight on Sept. 23, 2026, taking off from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas, where Lockheed Martin builds the aircraft. The flight began at about 12:00 pm local time.

The jet, construction number AR-1, flew with an F-35C as a safety chase. In service with the Royal Canadian Air Force it will be designated CF-35A.

Photographs from the flight show the aircraft in full markings. Bilingual "RCAF – ARC" lettering appears on the exterior of the air intakes alongside the roundel, "Canada" is written behind the cockpit, and a low-visibility Canadian flag is applied to the tail. The insignia follow the style already used on the CF-188 Hornet.

The flight marks a milestone for Canada's fighter acquisition programme, which is meant to replace the air force's legacy CF-188 Hornet fleet. Canada has been a Level 3 partner in the F-35 programme since 2002 but did not move immediately to buy the aircraft. In 2022 the government selected the F-35A for the Future Fighter Capability Project, launched in 2017.

The programme has drawn political controversy and was viewed as being at risk amid tensions with the neighbouring United States. According to the account of the flight, it has continued without public fanfare and is tracking the timeline published by the Canadian government.

The first Canadian F-35A will be known as the CF-35A in service.