US Air Force Restores F-35 “Franken-bird” to Combat Readiness Using Parts from Damaged Aircraft
USAF Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing successfully integrated structural components from two damaged F-35A jets to construct a fully operational aircraft, now designated as the "Franken-bird."
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) —The United States Air Force (USAF) has successfully restored an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet by integrating components from two damaged aircraft, effectively returning it to full combat readiness.
USAF Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing successfully integrated structural components from two damaged F-35A jets to construct a fully operational aircraft, now designated as the “Franken-bird.”
This unique aircraft was assembled using parts from two separate F-35s—one that sustained damage from a nose-gear failure in 2020 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and another that was affected by an engine fire in 2014 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
The restoration effort was a multi-agency collaboration, bringing together expertise from the F-35 Joint Program Office, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, 388th Fighter Wing, and Lockheed Martin to successfully restore the jet to operational status.
Prior to the restoration process, the aircraft was stored in a hangar for a year at the 4th Fighter Generation Squadron, where maintenance crews worked through the final stages of the project.
Senior Airman Jaguar Arnold, the aircraft’s dedicated crew chief, emphasized the complexity of the restoration, noting that his team had to complete numerous tasks—many of which had never been performed at the unit level.
He highlighted the primary challenge of receiving the aircraft in a stripped-down state, devoid of internal components.
Collaborating with engineers and technicians from Lockheed Martin, Arnold’s team meticulously rewired the aircraft, reconstructed the cockpit and avionics systems, and installed specialized components rarely encountered in frontline maintenance operations.
Additionally, airmen fabricated and applied custom components and coatings to restore the aircraft’s low-observable (stealth) capabilities across multiple sections of the jet.
Following a successful functional check flight at Hill Air Force Base, the aircraft was transferred to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for final certification.
Once certified, the “Franken-bird” will return to Hill Air Force Base, where it will be operated by the 4th Fighter Squadron.
— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA
