Within the framework of the upcoming edition of the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE 2026), the United States Air Force (USAF) will return to Chile with the participation of the F-35A Lightning II Demo Team, which will deploy the full potential of the fifth-generation stealth fighter between April 7 and 12 at the Pudahuel Air Base in Santiago, Chile.
Following the impact generated by the presentation of the F-22 Demo Team in 2024, the USAF will once again captivate the public with the presence of the F-35 Demo Team, belonging to the 338th Fighter Wing of the Air Combat Command. Its mission is to demonstrate the tactical capabilities and high operational level of the F-35A Lightning II, the most modern aircraft in service within the U.S. Air Force. Its participation in FIDAE represents a unique opportunity to witness in flight one of the most advanced fighters in the world, an emblem of American air power and a key piece in the air superiority strategy of NATO and its allies.
The F-35A can execute air-to-air and air-to-surface missions with a level of stealth, precision, and connectivity unprecedented in modern military aviation. Its optimized aerodynamic design and state-of-the-art man-machine interface grant it outstanding maneuverability and a sensor fusion that provides the pilot with comprehensive situational awareness. These qualities make it a decisive asset in high-demand scenarios, where information and reaction speed are critical factors.
Among its most prominent systems are high-definition electro-optical sensors and the helmet-mounted display system (HMD), which projects tactical information directly onto the pilot’s visor. Additionally, it features secure data links that guarantee interoperability with allied aircraft and other aerial, land, and maritime platforms, consolidating the F-35 as a key element in the concept of multi-domain combat.
In service since 2016, the F-35A Lightning II has been adopted by numerous allied countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Finland, and Belgium. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, this multirole fighter is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine with 43,000 pounds of thrust, capable of reaching Mach 1.6 and with a range exceeding 2,100 kilometers, extendable via aerial refueling.
This notable confirmation adds to that of the Spanish Air and Space Force, which will also participate in FIDAE 2026 with the exhibition of the Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft, strengthening the international presence and reaffirming the event’s positioning as the most relevant aerospace, defense, and security fair in Latin America.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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