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The squadrons of fighter jets that have rumbled over Sydney and Melbourne in recent days have left locals baffled, but they are about to become more prevalent in Victoria.
The state-of-the-art F-35A Lighting II aircraft, made by Lockheed Martin, flew over Melbourne on Friday, rattling windows and making locals look skyward.
This was followed on Monday by 14 aircraft flying over the city in formation, including nine T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic fighters made by Korea Aerospace Industries.
Sydney was also not immune to wild noises when last Tuesday around midday the same planes appeared over the port city.
But there’s a simple explanation: Both models of the planes appeared at the Australian International Airshow held at Avalon Airport in Victoria this week.
The F-35A Lighting II aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, flew over Melbourne in preparation for the opening of the Australian International Airshow on February 28.
The fighters are considered among the most avant-garde in the world.
One of the F-35As, each valued at more than $70 million, flew over the Melbourne coast on Friday.
The Defense and Industry portion of the expo will run from February 28 to March 5, and the airshow will be open to the general public from March 3 to 5.
Overflights are expected to increase significantly over the next week.
The T-50s are from the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles aerobatic team and are known for their distinctive black, white and yellow paintwork.
In a statement, the RAAF explained that the stunt was being prepared for the 2023 Australian International Airshow and is the Black Eagles’ first visit to Australia.
The fighter jets followed a route that took them from Avalon, in the northwest of the city, along the Bass Coast and back to Port Phillip Heads.
The final leg of the demonstration was over the Melbourne CBD, before the allies returned to Avalon airport.
The similar stunt in Sydney had locals asking: ‘Why are there extremely noisy fighter jets flying over Sydney?’
While another called them ‘deafening’.
The F-35A Lighting II belongs to the Australian air force and the RAAF has about 59 of the 72 it ordered from Lockheed Martin, the largest fleet outside the US.
Lockheed expects to deliver more F-35 fighter jets to Australia but is awaiting the outcome of the Australian government’s defense strategic review, an executive said Tuesday.
“We look forward to the opportunity to deliver additional F-35s beyond (the 72 ordered),” Executive Vice President of Aircraft Business Greg Ulmer told reporters.
Lockheed has had initial discussions with Australia about outfitting the F-35 with the unmanned Boeing Ghost Bat combat drone, but no decision has been made, Ulmer said.
The Royal Korean Air Force team roared over Melbourne on Monday afternoon, baffling many locals who were unaware the stunt was taking place.
The F-35As (pictured) will eventually replace the RAAF-owned F/A-18 Hornets.
The Korean Black Eagles aerobatic team flies distinctive black, white and yellow aircraft.
Australia’s other known fighter jet, the Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet, is expected to end production in late 2025 after a final delivery to the US Navy.
Production of the plane could be extended to 2027 if India places an order, the company said.
The first F/A-18 debuted in 1983 and was built by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997.
The company said it will continue to develop upgrades for the current fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. The latter is an electronic version of the aircraft based on an operator Australia also has a fleet of.
The Super Hornet was featured prominently in the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick, with Cruise reprising his role in a 1980s film about a Navy pilot.
The sequel earned positive reviews and was among the highest-grossing movies of last year.
More than 2,000 Hornets, Super Hornets, and Growlers have been delivered to the US military and the governments of many allies, including Australia, Canada, Finland, and Malaysia.
Boeing said ending production of the F/A-18 will allow it to focus on future military aircraft, both manned and unmanned, and increase production of other defense projects.
The company said it plans to build three new facilities in St. Louis where F/A-18s are assembled.