How Long Can the U.S. Air Force F-35 Last?

24,000 hours of aircraft life, what does this mean? The Russian Su-57 only lasts about 6,000 hours, which is just a quarter of that time.

Lockheed Martin has tested the F-35 to last up to 24,000 hours. In this area, the F-35 is special.

The Su-57 and F-22, both fifth-generation fighters, cannot match this. Why is the F-35 so good?

Why Does It Last So Long?

The F-35’s long life might be because of how the U.S. Air Force takes care of it.

Fifth-generation stealth fighters are more fragile than older ones. They have a special coating that can lose its effect in certain environments.

So, besides doing missions, the F-35 is usually kept in temperature-controlled hangars in the U.S.

These hangars keep the temperature steady all year. The U.S. Air Force can also control humidity to make sure the fighter is always well taken care of.

Also, after many missions, the F-35’s stealth coating gets worn. The coating is reapplied before the next mission.