Aircraft Profile: Lockheed Martin F-35

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightening II is a 5th generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, designed to meet the bulk of the US military's needs throughout the first half of the 21st century, replacing the oldest F-16s, F/A-18s and AV-8Bs and complimenting F-22s.

Descended from the X-35, the product of the US Joint Strike Fighter program, the F-35 is being designed and built by prime-contractor Lockheed Martin and partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Developmental funding is primarily provided by the USA, with the United Kingdom and other countries providing additional funding in return for work and participation in the aircrafts development to meet the estimated $40 billion developmental costs.

The JSF program was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production, and operating costs down. This was pursued by building three variants of one aircraft, sharing 80% of their parts: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A, the short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B and a carrier-based variant, the F-35C.

Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135, (General Electric and Rolls-Royce are currently testing and manufacturing an alternative F136 engine), the F-35 has a maximum speed of over Mach 1.6 with a range of up to 2,200km (1,200nm) and a combat range of 1,110km (600nm). The JSF carries a typical internal payload of 2 air-to-air missiles and 2 air-to-ground weapons as well as a GAU-22/A 25mm cannon (external in the F-35B/C). At the expense of the minimum stealth signature, extra weapons can be attached to 6 external positions, giving the F-35 the ability to carry more weaponry than both legacy fighters and the F-22 Raptor.