The U.S. Air Force has created a fully operational F-35 combat aircraft, nicknamed “Frankenjet,” by combining parts from two aircraft that were previously destroyed in separate accidents. This unprecedented project, which began in 2022, has resulted in significant financial savings and added another combat-ready aircraft to the fleet.

The “Frankenjet” was born out of necessity after an F-35A, designated AF-27, experienced a catastrophic engine failure in 2014, causing extensive damage to its rear section. Years later, in 2020, another F-35A, designated AF-211, sustained serious damage to its front during a landing mishap. Rather than scrapping both aircraft, experts decided to merge the undamaged front of AF-27 with the rear of AF-211.

The assembly of the “Frankenjet” took place at Hill Air Force Base, requiring the development of new tools, equipment, and assembly methods. After nearly two and a half years of work, the aircraft successfully completed its first flight in January 2025 and underwent further testing at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft performed flawlessly during testing, behaving as if it were brand new.

The entire project cost $11.7 million, but the Pentagon estimates that it saved approximately $63 million, which would have been the cost of acquiring a new F-35. The “Frankenjet” has since been returned to the 388th Fighter Squadron at Hill AFB, the same unit to which the original AF-211 belonged.

The U.S. Air Force currently operates 383 F-35A aircraft, and the F-35 is becoming increasingly popular among U.S. allies, with 17 countries having either acquired or ordered the aircraft.