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Thumbnail Filmstrip of F-35I Adir IDF/AF, #901, NAS Fort Worth JRB, TX, July 2016 HA4410 Images
Lockheed F-35I Adir Diecast Model
IDF/AF, #901, NAS Fort Worth JRB, TX, July 2016
The F-35I Adir ("Awesomeness" or "Mighty One") is an F-35A with Israeli modifications. A senior Israel Air Force official stated "the aircraft will be designated F-35I, as there will be unique Israeli features installed in them". Despite an initial refusal to allow such modifications, the U.S. has agreed to let Israel integrate its own electronic warfare systems, such as sensors and countermeasures, into the aircraft. The main computer will have a plug-and-play feature to allow add-on Israeli electronics to be used; proposed systems include an external jamming pod, and new Israeli air-to-air missiles and guided bombs in the internal weapon bays. Israeli pilots are scheduled to start F-35 training in December 2016 at Eglin AFB Florida with the first squadron activated about a year later. The F-35I made it's first flight on July the 26th from Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft wore serial 901 and is expected to arrive in Israel at Nevatim Air Base on December 12th of 2016, alongside the second production aircraft. A total of 33 aircraft are currently on order for the Israeli Air Force and a unit has already been established at Luke Air Force Base to train pilots and maintenance crews.