In a bold and unusual move, the United States Air Force has built a new fighter jet by joining two badly damaged planes. Today, this unique jet is referred to as the “Frankenjet.”
A Combat Jet Constructed from Parts of Two Damaged Aircraft
Unlike any other stealth fighter in the world, it is an F-35A. What makes this jet so different is that it was not built from scratch. Instead, it was created using salvaged parts from two broken aircraft.
The original Frankenjet component came from the AF-27 fighter. This jet suffered a terrible accident back in 2014 during a training mission in Florida. Its engine exploded mid-air, leading to a serious fire. Most of the rear section of the jet was destroyed in the blaze. Only the front section remained in usable condition.
The second part came from another jet called AF-211. In 2020, this plane made a hard landing in Utah. The landing gear failed, and the front of the jet was heavily damaged. However, the back half of the jet was still in good shape.
Since both aircraft were heavily damaged but had one working half, the Air Force made a smart decision. They decided to join the undamaged front part of AF-27 with the undamaged rear part of AF-211. This idea had never been tried before on an F-35A, making the project a first of its kind.
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A Complicated and Cost-Saving Mission
This complicated repair and rebuild process began in 2022. The work was done at Hill Air Force Base using special tools and equipment. Assembling parts from different jets into one complete fighter required a lot of precision. The engineers had to ensure that everything fit perfectly. Even though the aircraft was built from used parts, it had to meet the same standards as a brand-new fighter jet.
This one-of-a-kind project cost $11.7 million in total. While that might seem like a big number, it actually saved the Air Force around $63 million. That’s the amount it would have cost to build a completely new F-35A from scratch. So not only was this project impressive, it also saved a lot of money.
The reason this project could be done is because the F-35A is made with different modules. These modules are like building blocks. They can be taken apart and put back together. Although it was possible in theory, no one had ever tried to swap modules between two damaged F-35s before.
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Once the repairs and the rebuild were completed, the new Frankenjet was tested. It took off for its first flight in January. Engineers were amazed to see that the jet flew smoothly. According to the team, it performed just like a new aircraft straight off the factory floor. That meant their work had paid off, and the Frankenjet was now ready to be used in real missions.
Now Flying Again with Its Original Unit
Following its successful flight, the Frankenjet made its way to a Texas facility. There, it was put through more testing and inspections to make sure it was reliable and secure. It went back to Hill Air Force Base after everything was verified.
Now, the Frankenjet has joined the 388th Fighter Wing, which was originally home to one of the two jets it was built from. Even though it was born out of the wreckage of two damaged aircraft, this unique fighter now flies as if it were never broken.
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The F-35A, which the Frankenjet belongs to, is part of the latest generation of stealth fighters. It is used by the Air Force and is designed for a variety of missions. There are two other versions of this fighter: the F-35B used by the Marine Corps, and the F-35C used by the Navy.
Seventeen countries have either already added or plan to add the F-35 to their military fleets. But the Frankenjet is a unique invention in its own right. It is the only fighter of its kind in the world right now.
More than just a working plane, the Frankenjet is proof that even the most damaged machines can be brought back to life with skill and creativity. It shows how the Air Force is finding ways to save money while keeping its fleet strong and ready.
The project has drawn attention not just for its success, but also for its boldness. Creating a fighter jet from the remains of two others is not an everyday task. Yet, this one-of-a-kind fighter is now back in the sky—flying confidently as if nothing ever happened.