lockheed martin f 35 lightning ii

The F35 developed by Lockheed Martin Research

The Lightning II aircraft 5th generation built by Lockheed Martin Research 

The F35 also known as the Lightning II is a multi-role fighter was developed under a JSF program which was intended to replace existing aircraft types with a common fighter will replace the A-10, f16, AV 8B, boeing f 18 warplanes in service with the US air force. It exploits stealth technology, it is slightly smaller and has one engine. It is planned that these new stealthy fighters will be operational for 30-40 years.
This aircraft uses the most powerful fighter engine ever developed. The F 35 lightning 2 with a single engine is less expensive to produce and to service, but at a cost of reduced weapon load and performance. The F35 has an in flight refueling capability.

An F 35 A powerplant,  Engines of the F-35A and F-35C cost around $13 million

The Lightning II aircraft 5th generation is built by Lockheed Martin Research And Development, Aerospace Systems Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and BAE Electronic Systems.

Lockheed martin f 35 lightning ii can perform on air defense missions, tactical bombing and close air support.

The F35 stealth aircraft, which reduces its radar cross-section and makes it harder to detect for radars, it is one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world. The Russian and Chinese fighters (Sukhoi Su 57 or Chengdu J 20) can not match the F35 in terms of technology.

F35 Variants :

It was planned that these 3 variants of the F-35 will share about 80% of their parts to keep development and production costs low. This also would require less logistic support. However it turned out that by 2017 the design commonality was only 20%. 

The F35 is proposed in three main variants: F35 A, F35 B, F35 C

The F35 have single seat is proposed in 3 main variants :

1- The F 35 A

The F 35 A conventional take-off and landing aircraft for the Air Force, In the US Air Force the F 35A will replace the A 10 and F16 warplanes. The F 35 A multi role fighter can perform on air defense missions, tactical bombingt and close air suppor. It outperforms in terms of Avionics, range, stealthiness, payload, survivability and maneuverability. The F 35 A has an in-flight refueling capability.

It has a combined weapon payload of 8 200 kg in two internal weapon bays and on external hardpoints.The F 35A is the only version of the F35 with a built-in GAU-22/A four-barrel 25 mm cannon.

For air superiority missions it can carry a mix of 8 AIM 120 AMRAAM and 4 AIM-9X Sidewinders. Also it can carry a mix of 2 AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and 2 JDAM air-to-ground munitions in its internal weapon bays. Additional missiles, bombs or fuel tanks can be attached to external hardpoints.

F 35 A

Air Force

The F 35B

The F 35B short take-off and vertical landing aircraft for the US Marine Corps, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It replaces the older boeing f 18 multi-role fighters and AV 8B close support aircraft used by the US Marine Corps. This model can be identified by a small hump behind the cockpit. The F 35B multi-role fighter can perform on air defense missions, tactical bombing and close air support. The F 35B has an in-flight refueling capability.

The F 35B is mainly intended to operate from aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships and helicopter carriers, though it can also operate from airfields. The F 35B has a combined weapon payload of 6 800 kg in two internal weapon bays and on external hardpoints, the F 35B is compatible with MBDA Meteor, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-120 AMRAAM, JSOW, JDAM, WCMD and Brimstone. The F 35B has got no internal cannon Alternatively but it can carry an external pod with a GAU-22/A 4-barrel 25 mm cannon.

The F 35B multi-role fighter can perform on air defense missions, tactical bombing and close air support

The Pratt & WhitneyF135 engine with Rolls Royce LiftSystem, including roll posts, and rear vectoring nozzle for the F 35B, a Rolls-Royce lift fan behind the cockpit provides around half the thrust required for hovering flight. The lift fan results in lower power settings, and cooler exhaust temperatures and velocities. while engine of the F 35B costs a whooping $31 million. 

Marine Corps Emblem

The F 35C

The F 35C carrier variant (CV) for the US Navy. It is fitted with ailerons, a strengthened landing gear, arrestor hook and a reinforced airframe to absorb catapult launches and arrested landings. It replace the older US Navy's boeing f 18 series multi role fighters.

The F 35C is the most fuel efficient of all F35 variants. it has longer wings and largest wing area. This fighter is capable of cruising at supersonic speeds. The F-35C carries around 9 000 liters of internal fuel.

The F 35C has folding wings.This fighter features larger wing and control surfaces (fin & elevator) than the other variants. It is fitted with ailerons, a strengthened landing gear, arrestor hook and a reinforced airframe to absorb catapult launches and arrested landings.

The F 35C  can carry 8 200 kg of ordnance, including 2 internal weapon bays for up to 2 600 kg and 6 external hardpoints. The F 35C is compatible with MBDA Meteor, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-120 AMRAAM, JSOW, JDAM, WCMD and Brimstone. The F 35B has got no internal cannon Alternatively but it can carry an external pod with a GAU-22/A 4-barrel 25 mm cannon.

The F 35C multi-role fighter can perform on air defense missions, tactical bombing and close air support

The F-35s multi-role fighter with Israeli modifications is fitted with Israeli electronic warfare system, It can use Israeli missiles and bombs.

There are sources saying the Israeli F35 fighters were used against targets in Syria, these attacked targets that were close to Russia's military bases, but Russia's most capable air defense systems S 300 and S 400 could not destroy any of the Israeli F-35s.

Lockheed martin f 35 lightning ii stealthy fighter costs around $95 million to $120 million per aircraft.

F 35 lightning ii Armament :

The F35 lighting 2 is compatible with the latest air to air and air to ground missiles. It can carry up to two air to air missiles or two air to ground weapons in its internal weapon bay.

Lightning II is compatible with MBDA Meteor, JSOW, AIM 9x sidewinder, AIM 120 AMRAAM, AIM 132 ASRAAM, JDAM, Brimstone, WCMD. But external weapons are carried at the expense of being more detectable by radars.

The Lightning II is compatible with the latest air to air and air to ground missiles

The F 35A has got an internally mounted 4 barrel 25 mm cannon.

The F 35B and F 35C can carry an external pod with the same cannon (This external pod has stealth features).

Lockheed martin f 35 lightning ii Avionics :

The F35 is stuffed with the most advanced systems. Data from the various sensors is fused on the pilot's advanced helmet mounted display system.

AN/APG-81 AESA radar

The F 35 lightning ii key systems include a multi function Active Electrically Scanned Array (AESA) that combines radar, communications functions and electronic warfare and a conformal array imaging infrared sensor.

F 35 Cockpit :

F35 cockpit

The F35 cockpit has :

1- A right-hand HOTAS side stick controller.

2- A helmet mounted display system.

3- A glass cockpit touchscreen (20 by 8 inch).

4- An Adacel cockpit speech recognition system.

5- US16E ejection seat.

6- An oxygen generating system derived from the one on the F 22 Raptor.

VSI Helmet-mounted display system for the F-35

F 35 General characteristics :

Length : 50 ft or 15.3 m.

Wingspan : 35 ft or 11 m.

Height : 14 ft or 4.3 m.

Maximum speed : 1,199 mph or 1,930 km/h.

Range : 1,700 mi or 2,800 km.

Combat range : 770 mi or 1,239 km.

Service ceiling : 50,000 ft or 15,000 m.

Empty Weight : 29,000 lb or 13,150 kg.

Gross Weight : 49,400 lb or 22,400 kg.

Max takeoff Weight : 70,000 lb or 31,750 kg.

Fuel capacity interna : 18,500 lb or 8,400 kg.