F-35 Lightning II (JSF Program)

F-35 Lightning II

Project Status: In initial production and testing

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin

Origin: United States

Role: Stealth Multi-Role Fighter

Project Cost: $800 billion plus (projected for 55 years of ongoing upgrade research and development)
Unit Cost: $150 million to $200 million 

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 51.4 ft (15.7m) 
• Wing Span: 35 ft (10.7m)
• Weight: 13,000 kg to 22,000 kg (depending on loaded equipment)

Performance:

• Max Speed: >1,200 miles/Hour (Mach 1 - 2)
• Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney After-burning turbo fan
• Service Ceiling: 40,000 ft - 60,000 ft (43,000 ft tested)
• Primary Weaponry: 25mm Gaitling Gun, 4 Air to Air Missiles ( AIM-120-AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, IRIS-T, MBDA-Meteor), 2 Anti-Ship Missiles (JSM, LRASM), 

Summary

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is of single-seat, single-engine, fifth-generation mult-irole fighter in development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability similar to the F-22 Raptor. The F-35 has three main models; the F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the F-35B is a short take-off and vertical-landing variant, and the F-35C is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35 is the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman (electronics) , Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems (engine and power train). 

The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,443 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide the bulk of its manned tactical air power for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are to be started from late next year (2015) and to be completed in 2037.

F-35 JSF development is being principally funded by the United States with additional funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies with Royal Australian Air force being the first on the list outside US to take interest in this project. The United Kingdom, Israel, Italy, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey are part of the active development program; Japan has ordered the F-35, while Singapore may also equip their air force with the F-35. South Korea decided to purchase F-35s in late 2013

Gallery

F-35 vertical landing/Take off test

Helmet Mounted HUD Display

F-35 re-fueling testing