US Air Force engineers first-ever 'Frankenjet' from two broken F-35s. Know all about it

The repair took two years and five months and was $11.7 million, $2.8 million below the projected cost, according to a report

The United States Air Force, in a remarkable feat of engineering, has rebuilt F-35A figher jet, also known as 'Frankenjet' and was officially declared as mission capable by the F-35 Joint Programe Office(JPO).

The 'Frankenjet' program involved two F-35As, which were both out of service due to earlier mishaps. “The scope and complexity of this project were an exemplary demonstration of overcoming barriers and achieving a greater tier of major aircraft repair capability for an advanced tactical fighter,” said Tomas Barber, an F-35 JPO Major Mishap Repair Team engineer.

The repair took two years and five months and was $11.7 million, $2.8 million below the projected cost. The decision to repair, instead of purchasing a new F-35A, resulted in $63 million in cost savings for the program.

The Frankenjet Reborn!Born from a bold, innovative concept, the Frankenjet was created by combining parts from two F-35 Lightning II aircraft into one a new approach designed to maximize cost savings and optimize efficiency.Discover the remarkable story behind this pic.twitter.com/7dJDmVNMVn
F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (@theF35JPO) April 9, 2025

“A testament to the process developed here is that the rebuilt aircraft’s first flight was flown to the edges of the performance envelope, and it performed like it was fresh from the initial production line,” said Jeffrey Jensen, the F-35A variant lead. “Soon, this aircraft will be returned to full service, ready to defend this country, and at a significant cost savings to the taxpayers.”

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) leads the life-cycle program management of the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C; the fifth-generation joint strike fighter (JSF) air system of choice for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, international partners and foreign military sales customers, as mentioned in the official website.

"The mandate of the JPO is to deliver a capable, available, and affordable air system to the warfighter - outpacing key competitors to win tomorrow's high-end fight as we develop, deliver, and sustain war-winning fifth-generation capabilities at high-end fourth-generation costs," it further added.