F-35 Lightning II
F-35A prototype AA-1 in flight
Type	Stealth multi-role fighter
Manufacturers	Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Northrop Grumman BAE Systems
Maiden flight	15 December 2006[1]
Introduction	2011 (scheduled)
Status	Under development / pre-production
Produced	2003-present
Number built	13 flight-test aircraft;[2] 14 LRIP aircraft on order. An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing building testing selling and maintaining Aircraft, Aircraft parts Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a major unit of Lockheed Martin with headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas. Northrop Grumman Corporation ( is an Aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. BAE Systems plc (BAE is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, that has global interests particularly The maiden flight of an Aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. 2011 ( MMXI) will be a Common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar.
Unit cost	US$83 million (flyaway cost in Then-Year dollars)[3]

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multi-role aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air superiority fighter missions. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Stealth aircraft are Aircraft that use Stealth technology to make it harder to be detected by radar and other means than conventional aircraft by employing a Military aviation is the use of Aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare including national airlift ( Cargo) capacity A strike fighter is a Fighter aircraft which is also capable of attacking Surface targets including Ships It differs from an Attack aircraft In Military tactics, close air support ( CAS) is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to Tactical bombing uses Aircraft to attack troops and military equipment in the battle zone An air superiority fighter is a type of Fighter aircraft intended to enter and seize control of enemy airspace The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short-takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF became synonymous with the later F-35 Lightning II, however until 2001 the term was applied to the competition between the Boeing X-32 Its development is being principally funded by the United States with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ^[4] It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Lockheed Martin ( is a large multinational Aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology Company formed in 1995 by the merger of Northrop Grumman Corporation ( is an Aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. BAE Systems plc (BAE is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, that has global interests particularly ^[4] Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000,^[5] with the first flight on 15 December 2006. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The maiden flight of an Aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[6]

Development

JSF Program history

Main article: Joint Strike Fighter Program

Requirement

An F-35 wind tunnel testing model in the Arnold Engineering Development Center's 16-foot transonic wind tunnel

The JSF program was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production, and operating costs down. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF became synonymous with the later F-35 Lightning II, however until 2001 the term was applied to the competition between the Boeing X-32 Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC is a ground-based flight test facility operated by the US Air Force Materiel Command. A wind tunnel is a research tool developed to assist with studying the effects of air moving over or around solid objects This was pursued by building three variants of one aircraft, sharing 80% of their parts:

• F-35A, conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant. CTOL is an acronym for Conventional Take-off and Landing, and is the process whereby conventional Aircraft (such as passenger aircraft Take off and
• F-35B, short-takeoff and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant. STOVL is an acronym for S hort T ake O ff and V ertical L anding
• F-35C, carrier-based (CV) variant. An aircraft carrier is a Warship designed with

The F-35 is being designed to be the world's premier strike aircraft through 2040. It is intended that its air-to-air capability will be second only to that of the F-22 Raptor. Specifically the F-35’s requirements are that it be: four times more effective than legacy fighters in air-to-air combat, eight times more effective in air-to-ground battle combat, and three times more effective in reconnaissance and suppression of air defenses. These capabilities are to be achieved while still having significantly better range and a smaller logistical footprint than legacy aircraft. ^[7]

Origins and selection

Boeing X-32 (left) and Lockheed Martin X-35 prior to down-select in 2001, where the X-35 was chosen. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The Joint Strike Fighter evolved out of several requirements for a common fighter to replace existing types. The actual JSF development contract was signed on 16 November 1996. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar)

The contract for System Development and Demonstration (SDD) was awarded on 26 October 2001 to Lockheed Martin, whose X-35 beat the Boeing X-32. Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout DoD officials and British Minister of Defence Procurement Lord Bach, said the X-35 consistently outperformed the X-32, although both met or exceeded requirements. William "Willy" Stephen Goulden Bach Baron Bach (born 25 December, 1946) is a British Labour member of the House of Lords The designation of the fighter as "F-35" came as a surprise to Lockheed, which had been referring to the aircraft in-house by the designation "F-24. "^[8]

Naming

On 7 July 2006, the U. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. S. Air Force officially announced the name of the F-35: Lightning II,^[9] in honor of Lockheed's World War II-era twin-prop P-38 Lightning and the Cold War-era jet, the English Electric Lightning. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout English Electric Company's aircraft division was incorporated into BAC, a predecessor of F-35 partner BAE Systems. English Electric (EE was a British industrial manufacturer Founded in 1918 it initially specialised in industrial Electric motors and Transformers Its The British Aircraft Corporation ( BAC) was a British Aircraft manufacturer formed from the government-pressured merger of English Electric Aviation BAE Systems plc (BAE is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, that has global interests particularly Other names previously listed as contenders were Kestrel, Phoenix, Piasa, Black Mamba and Spitfire II. The name kestrel is given to several different members of the Falcon genus Falco. The phoenix ( Ancient Greek: Φοῖνιξ phoínix is a mythical sacred firebird in ancient mythologies starting with the Greek and later the The Piasa or Piasa Bird is a Legendary creature that was depicted in a Mural painted by Native Americans on a cliff above the Mississippi The Black Mamba (nicknamed The Shadow of Death) ( Dendroaspis polylepis) an elapid Snake, is native to Somalia and northeastern WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Lightning II was also an early company name for the aircraft that became the F-22 Raptor.

International participation

While the United States is the primary customer and financial backer, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Norway and Denmark have contributed US$4. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been 375 billion toward the development costs of the program. ^[4] Total development costs are estimated at more than US$40 billion (underwritten largely by the United States), while the purchase of an estimated 2,400 planes is expected to cost an additional US$200 billion. ^[10] The nine major partner nations plan to acquire over 3,100 F-35s through 2035,^[11] making the F-35 one of the most numerous jet fighters.

There are three levels of international participation. The levels generally reflect the financial stake in the program, the amount of technology transfer and subcontracts open for bid by national companies, and the order in which countries can obtain production aircraft. The United Kingdom is the sole "Level 1" partner, contributing US$2. 5 billion, about 10% of the development costs^[12] under the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding that brought the UK into the project. A memorandum of understanding ( MOU or MoU) is a Document describing a Bilateral or multilateral Agreement between parties ^[13] Level 2 partners are Italy, which is contributing US$1 billion; and the Netherlands, US$800 million. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Level 3 partners are Canada, US$440 million; Turkey, US$175 million; Australia, US$144 million; Norway, US$122 million and Denmark, US$110 million. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe The word million In standard English, the -lli- in million is pronounced with an l-sound followed by a Israel and Singapore have joined as Security Cooperative Participants (SCP). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Singapore ^[14]

Some of the partner countries have wavered in their public commitment to the JSF program, hinting or warning that unless they receive more subcontracts or technology transfer, they will forsake JSF for the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale or simply upgrade their existing aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Norway has several times threatened to put their support on hold unless substantial guarantees for an increased industrial share is provided. Despite this Norway has signed all the Memoranda of Understanding, including the latest one detailing the future production phase of the JSF program. They have, however, indicated that they will increase and strengthen their cooperation with both competitors of the JSF, the Typhoon and the Gripen. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[15]

United Kingdom

Main article: Joint Combat Aircraft

The United Kingdom plans to acquire 138 F-35Bs^[16] for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA is the official designation of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence used for the F-35 Lightning II, formerly the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) ^[17]

The UK became increasingly frustrated by a lack of U. S. commitment to grant access to the technology that would allow the UK to maintain and upgrade its F-35s without US involvement. This is understood to relate mainly to the software for the aircraft. For five years, British officials sought an ITAR waiver to secure greater technology transfer. This request, which has the blessing of the Bush administration, was repeatedly blocked by U. S. Representative Henry Hyde, who said that the UK needed to tighten its laws protecting against the unauthorized transfer of the most advanced U. Henry John Hyde ( April 18, 1924 &ndash November 29, 2007) an American politician was a Republican member of the S. technology to third parties. ^[18]

BAE Systems CEO Mike Turner complained that the US had denied his company access to the aircraft's source code. A chief executive officer ( CEO) or chief executive is typically the highest-ranking corporate officer ( executive) or administrator Mike Turner CBE is Chief Executive Officer of the aerospace and defence company BAE Systems. In Computer science, source code (commonly just source or code) is any sequence of statements or declarations written in some Human-readable On 21 December 2005, an article in the Glasgow Herald quoted the chairman of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee as saying "the UK might have to consider whether to continue in the programme" if no access were granted. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Herald is a national Broadsheet newspaper published Monday to Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland. The Defence Committee is one of the Select Committees of the British House of Commons, having been established in 1979 ^[19] Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, took a firmer stance during a March 2006 visit to Washington: "We do expect the software technology transfer to take place. Paul Rudd Drayson Baron Drayson (born in 1960 is a British businessman racing driver and politician The Defence Procurement Agency ( DPA) was an Executive Agency of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence responsible for the acquisition of But if it does not take place we will not be able to purchase these aircraft," and he said there was a 'Plan B' if the deal fell through. ^[20] This may have been the development of a navalized Typhoon. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[21]

On 27 May 2006, President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that "Both governments agree that the UK will have the ability to successfully operate, upgrade, employ, and maintain the Joint Strike Fighter such that the UK retains operational sovereignty over the aircraft. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to "^[22] Despite this, concerns were still expressed about the lack of technology transfer as late as December 2006. Nevertheless, on 12 December 2006, Lord Drayson signed an agreement which met the UK's demands for further participation, i. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. e. , access to software source codes and operational sovereignty. The agreement allows "an unbroken British chain of command" for operation of the aircraft. Drayson said Britain would "not be required to have a US citizen in our own operational chain of command". ^[23] Drayson also said, however, that Britain is still considering an unspecified "Plan B" alternative to buying the Joint Strike Fighter.

On 25 July 2007, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that they have placed orders for the two new aircraft carriers of the Queen Elizabeth Class that will allow the purchase of the F-35B variant. Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. History Requirement The 22000 tonne Invincible class aircraft carriers ''Invincible'', ''Illustrious'' and ''Ark Royal'' ^[24]

Italy

Italy plans to acquire 109 F-35As for the Italian Air Force. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Aeronautica Militare is the Air force of Italy. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history. The F-35 CTOL (Conventional Take Off and Landing) will replace AMXs and Panavia Tornado. The 22 F-35Bs for the Italian Navy to be used on the STOVL aircraft carrier Cavour. Marina Militare (the Italian Navy) is one of the four branches of the military forces of Italy. An aircraft carrier is a Warship designed with Description The ship is designed to combine fixed wing V/STOL and helicopter air operations command and control operations and the transport of military or civil personnel and heavy ^[25]

Netherlands

The Netherlands has plans to acquire 85 F-35As and options on another 15 F-35A for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF, Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, is the aviation branch of the Netherlands armed forces The aircraft will replace an aging fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16AM. The Dutch government expects the costs to be €5. 5 billion for the initial purchase and €9. 1 billion for 30 years of service. ^[26] On 19 November 2007, in the Dutch Parliament, the Secretary of Defence was questioned about the JSF delay, technical problems and rising costs. Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[27] However, on 29 February 2008, the executive council of the Dutch government decided to go ahead with the purchase of 2 test aircraft and a MOU was signed. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Dutch Council of Ministers is the executive council of Dutch government, formed by all the ministers This executive council initiates laws and policy The politics of the Netherlands take place within the framework of a parliamentary Representative democracy, a Constitutional monarchy and a ^[28]

Canada

The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) is looking to replace its aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets by the 2017-20 timeframe with much interest placed on the F-35. DND officials have stated the estimate for producing 80 units would cost $3. 8 billion, though this figure does not include training, sustainment, and any follow on costs. Recently in the introduction to the government's new 'Canada First' defense strategy in Halifax, Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper announced that they are reducing the number of orders from 80 to 65. These figures were based on how many the Canadian Forces really needed. Stephen Harper said that the number is reduced because the aircraft will have a significant increase in fighter-bomber capability over the CF-18s. Canada has until 2012 to decide on purchasing the F-35, though they have already invested $150 million in the JSF program. ^[29][30]

Turkey

On 12 July 2002, Turkey became the seventh international partner in the JSF Project, joining the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches On 25 January 2007, Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for involvement in F-35 production. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[31] The Turkish Air Force is expected to order 100 F-35A "CTOL/Air Force versions" at a reported cost of $11 billion. The Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ^[32] It is reported that the aircraft will be produced under license in Turkey by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc

A Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between TAI and Northrop Grumman ISS (NGISS) International on 6 February 2007. Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. With the LOI, TAI becomes the second source for the F-35 Lightning II center fuselage during the JSF Signing. Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc The number of center fuselages to be produced by TAI will be determined depending on the number of F-35s Turkey will procure and the number of F-35s to be produced worldwide. Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc The LOI represents a potential value in excess of $3 billion. ^[33]

TAI of Turkey is one of the only two International Suppliers to Northrop Grumman Corporation (the other being Denmark). On 10 December 2007, the Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. (TAI) was authorized by Northrop Grumman Corporation to commence fabricating subassemblies for the first two F-35 production aircraft. The subassemblies – composite components and aircraft access doors – will be used in the F-35 center fuselage, a major section of the aircraft being produced by Northrop Grumman, a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 global industry team. ^[34]

In February 2007, Northrop Grumman also signed a letter of intent with TAI to also make it a second source for producing F-35 center fuselages. Under that agreement, TAI will produce a "minimum" of 400 center fuselages starting during LRIP-2. Northrop Grumman currently produces all F-35 center fuselages at its F-35 assembly facility in Palmdale, California.

It is also anticipated that TAI after 2013 will also produce 100% of the F-35 under licence from Lockheed Martin Corporation, as was also the case with the F-16 Fighting Falcon program Peace Onyx I and II.

Turkey also intends to incorporate in the distant future several Turkish designed and manufactured electronic systems into the F-35 platform.

Australia

Australia's then-Minister for Defence Dr. Brendan Nelson signing the JSF Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Memorandum of Understanding in December 2006

In May 2005, the Australian government announced that it would delay its planned 2006 decision on buying the JSF to 2008, and thus past the term of the government of the day. Brendan John Nelson, MP (born 19 August 1958 is an Australian politician and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia, as leader Australia, like the UK, has insisted it must have access to all software needed to modify and repair aircraft. Analysis conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force has determined that the F-35 "is the most suitable aircraft for Australia's needs". The Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ^[35]

There has been debate in Australia over whether the F-35 is the most suitable aircraft for the RAAF. Some media reports, lobby groups and politicians have raised doubts that the aircraft will be ready in time to replace the RAAF's aging fleet of General Dynamics F-111 strike aircraft and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighters. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Some critics say the more expensive F-22 Raptor or the Eurofighter Typhoon may be better choices, both offering better range, dogfighting capability, and supercruise at a cost that may not be much more than the F-35^[36] – claims that as of July 2006 are being examined in a parliamentary inquiry. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A dogfight or dog fight is Aerial combat between Fighter aircraft. A supercruising Aircraft is able to maintain Supersonic speeds in level flight without the use of Afterburners and with a cargo/weapons load ^[37]

In a statement released in early August 2006, then-Australian Defence Minister Dr. Brendan Nelson revealed that while the F-35 still had governmental support, Australia is starting to investigate other possible aircraft should the F-35 prove to be unfeasible. Brendan John Nelson, MP (born 19 August 1958 is an Australian politician and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia, as leader ^[38] In October 2006, the deputy chief of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal John Blackburn, publicly stated that the RAAF had ruled out the purchase of interim strike aircraft to cover any delays to the F-35 program and believed that the F-35 was suitable. ^[39] However, on 6 March 2007, Dr. Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Nelson announced the Australian Government would purchase 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets from Boeing to fill the gap left by the retiring F-111 strike aircraft at a cost of potentially AU$6 billion. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[40] Nonetheless, Dr. Nelson continued to endorse Australia's purchase of the F-35. Speaking on Australian television in March 2007, Dr. Nelson stated that 5% of the capability of the F-35 is classified, claiming that, "that's the five percent that really counts. "^[41]

On 13 December 2006, Minister Nelson signed the JSF Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Memorandum of Understanding. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. This agreement provides the cooperative framework for the acquisition and support of the JSF over its life. ^[42] Australia is expected to purchase 100 F-35As at a cost of approximately AU$16 billion. ^[43]

However following the election of a Labor Party government in the 2007 federal election the new government ordered a review of the RAAF's fighter procurement plans, including the purchase of the F-35. Federal elections for the Parliament of Australia were held on Saturday 24 November 2007 after a 6-week campaign in which 13 This review will include an evaluation of the F-35, advanced derivatives of the MiG-29 and Su-35, as well as the F-22's suitability for Australia, with the Defence Minister stating that "I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor". WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[44]

In March 2008 the RAN was reported to have requested that the government purchase a third Canberra class ship to utilize for fixed wing carrier operations and F-35B STOVL aircraft. The government was reported to be unlikely to approve this request, however. ^[45]

Norway

Norway participates in the F-35 program as a Level 3 partner in the System Development and Demonstration phase with a view to enabling its industry to compete for industrial opportunities. ^[46] Norwegian National Deputy Rune Fagerli, the country's sole representative on the Joint Strike Fighter program, told SPACE. com the Norwegian Royal Ministry of Defence has pledged $125 million in preparations to replace a fleet of F-16 jets that have about 12 years left of operation. "By getting involved here, on the ground level, we can try and address the needs of Norway into this capable fighter early," said Fagerli, a colonel. In Norway, F-16s are fitted with drag chutes because of wet, slippery runways. International cooperation to aircraft development could also yield aircraft from cooperating nations that fit well together during combat. Fagerli also mentioned that Norwegian pilots currently fly missions over Afghanistan in F-16s alongside Danish and Dutch aviators. ^[47]

The F-35 is one of the aircraft types being evaluated by the Norwegian Future Combat Aircraft Capability Project as a replacement for the F-16s currently in-service. ^[48]

Denmark

Denmark has joined the Joint Strike Fighter program as a Level 3 partner and the Danish Air Force is considering the replacement of 48 of its fighters with next generation aircraft. The Royal Danish Air Force ( Danish: Flyvevåbnet) is the Air force of Denmark, it is an expeditionary Air Force with capability organised

Security Cooperative Participants (SCP)

Israel

In 2003, Israel signed a letter of agreement, worth almost $20 million, to formally join the system development and demonstration (SDD) effort for the F-35 as a "security cooperation participant" (SCP). ^[49] The Israeli Air Force (IAF) stated in 2006 that the F-35 is a key part of IAF's recapitalization plans, and that Israel intends to buy over 100 F-35A fighters at an estimated cost of over $5 billion to replace their F-16s over time. The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל ^[50] Israel was reinstated as a partner in the development of the F-35 on 31 July 2006, after Israeli participation was put on hold following the Chinese arms deal crisis. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[51]

On 3 September 2007, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) (צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, lit -Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi announced the purchase of a squadron of F-35s which Israel will begin receiving in 2014. However, U. S. defense officials later agreed to allow Israel to receive the fighters as early as 2012. ^[52] The price of each F-35 is expected to reach $70-80 million. ^[53]

The Jerusalem Post reports the Pentagon has agreed to supply the F-35A Lightning II variant to Israel as early as 2012, instead of in 2014 or 2015. This would make Israel one of the first nations to receive the aircraft, and very possibly the first foreign nation. Previous objections to Israel’s installation of its own technology in the F-35 — as it has done with every US fighter it has received — were also reportedly overcome. At present, the only Israel technology in the standard version will be the JSF HMDS helmet mounted display system, designed in cooperation with Elbit Systems. Israel also asked to manufacture F-35 aircraft locally at a 1:2 ratio, but the reports did not indicate whether that request was granted. ^[54]

The timing and technology agreements reportedly came in the wake of a Washington meeting between Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and may represent an attempt to deflect Israeli calls for an export version of the F-22A Raptor, which has more stealth and capability, and whose production line is currently scheduled to close in 2010. ^{[55] [54]}

Singapore

In February 2003, Singapore joined the JSF program's System Design and Development (SDD) Phase, as a Security Co-operation Participant (SCP). ^[56]

Potential exports

India

The F-35 is also a potential offer to the Indian Air Force as of July 2007. The Indian Air Force (Devanāgarī भारतीय वायु सेना IAST Bhartiya Vāyu Senā is the air arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the July 2007 is the seventh month of that year It began on a Sunday and 31 days later ended on a Tuesday. This has been interpreted as part of a tactic to sell the F-16 as a multi-role fighter to the IAF, as part of its competition to acquire 126 new fighters. The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA Competition, commonly known as the MRCA Tender, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian Air Force ^[57]

Design

The F-35A being towed to its inauguration ceremony on 7 July 2006

The F-35 appears to be a smaller, slightly more conventional, one-engine sibling of the sleeker, two-engine F-22 Raptor, and indeed, drew elements from it. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The exhaust duct design was inspired by the General Dynamics Model 200, a 1972 VTOL aircraft designed for the Sea Control Ship. General Dynamics Corporation ( is a defense conglomerate formed by Mergers and Divestitures and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest Defense contractor A Sea Control Ship (SCS is a type of small Aircraft carrier designed and conceptualized by the United States Navy under Chief of Naval Operations ^[58]

Lockheed teamed with the Yakovlev Design Bureau, developer of the Yakovlev Yak-141 "Freestyle", in the 1990s. The Lockheed Corporation (originally Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company was an American aerospace company founded in 1912 which merged with Martin Marietta AS Yakovlev Design Bureau JSC is a Russian aircraft designer and manufacturer (design office prefix Yak) WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[59]

Stealth technology makes the aircraft hard to detect as it approaches short-range tracking radar. Stealth technology also known as LOT (Low Observability Technology is a sub-discipline of military Electronic countermeasures which covers a range of techniques used with

Some improvements over current-generation fighter aircraft are:

• Durable, low-maintenance stealth technology;
• Integrated avionics and sensor fusion that combine information from off- and onboard sensors to increase the pilot's situational awareness and improve identification and weapon delivery, and to relay information quickly to other command and control (C2) nodes;
• High speed data networking including IEEE-1394b^[60] and Fibre Channel. Fibre Channel, or FC, is a Gigabit -speed network technology primarily used for Storage networking. ^[61]
• Low life-cycle costs.

Cockpit

The F-35 features a full-panel-width "panoramic cockpit display (PCD)", with dimensions of 20 by 8 inches (50 by 20 centimeters). ^[62] A cockpit speech-recognition system (Direct Voice Input) is planned to improve the pilot's ability to operate the aircraft over the current-generation. Direct Voice Input is a style of Human-Machine Interaction "HMI" in which the user makes voice commands to issue instructions to the machine. The F-35 will be the first U. S. operational fixed-wing aircraft to use this system, although similar systems have been used in AV-8B and trialled in previous U. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout S. jets, particularly the F-16 VISTA. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[63] In development the system has been integrated by Adacel Systems Inc with the speech recognition module supplied by SRI International. ^[64]

A helmet mounted display system (HMDS) will be fitted to all models of the F-35. While some fourth-generation fighters (such as the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen) have offered HDMS along with a head up display (HUD), this will be the first time in several decades that a front-line tactical jet figher has been designed to never carry a HUD. Aircraft classified as fourth generation jet fighters are those in service approximately from 1980–2010 representing the design concepts of the 1970s WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A head-up display, or HUD, is any transparent display that presents data without requiring the user to look away from his or her usual viewpont ^[65]

The pilot flies the aircraft by means of a right-hand side-stick and left-hand throttles, both of which are supplied by BAE Systems. An aircraft Cockpit arrangement where the control column (or Joystick) is located to the side of the pilot, usually at the right (or outboard on a two seat flightdeck BAE Systems plc (BAE is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, that has global interests particularly ^[66]

Sensors

EOTS under the nose of a mockup of the F-35.

The main sensor on board the F-35 is its AN/APG-81 AESA-radar, designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. An Electronically Scanned Array (AESA also known as active Phased array Radar is a type of Radar whose Transmitter and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems was created by Northrop Grumman's acquisition of Westinghouse Electronic Systems Group in 1996 ^[67] It is augmented by the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) mounted under the nose of the aircraft, designed by Lockheed Martin and BAE. ^[68] Further electro-optical sensors are distributed over the aircraft as part of the AN/AAS-37 system which acts as missile warning system and can aid in navigation and night operations.

Thrust-to-weight ratio

The F-35B variant was in danger of missing performance requirements because it weighed too much — reportedly, by 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) or 8 percent. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass In response, Lockheed Martin added engine thrust and shed more than a ton by thinning the aircraft's skin; shrinking the weapons bay and vertical tails; rerouting some thrust from the roll-post outlets to the main nozzle; and redesigning the wing-mate joint, portions of the electrical system, and the portion of the aircraft immediately behind the cockpit. A cockpit is the area usually near the front of an Aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft ^[69]

Armament

Weapons bay on a mock-up of the F-35.

The F-35 includes a GAU-22/A four-barrel 25 mm cannon. The General Electric GAU-12/U Equalizer is a five-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun -style rotary cannon ^[70] The Cannon will be mounted internally with 180 rounds in the F-35A and fitted as an external pod with 220 rounds in the F-35B and F-35C. ^[71][72]

Internally (current planned weapons for integration), up to two air-to-air missiles and two air-to-ground weapons (up to two 2,000 lb bombs in A and C models; two 1,000 lb bombs in the B model) in the bomb bays. ^[73] These could be AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) — up to 2,000 lb (910 kg), the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) — a maximum of four in each bay, the Brimstone anti-armor missiles, Cluster Munitions (WCMD) and High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM). The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM (pronounced am-ram is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR air-to-air Missile The AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile is a British Infrared homing ("heat seeking" Air-to-air missile. Overview The JDAM is not a weapon rather it is a "bolt-on" upgrade for unguided gravity bombs installed during build up of the munition by Naval Ordnancemen or Air Force The AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon ( JSOW) is the product of a joint venture between the United States Navy and Air Force to deploy a standardized The GBU-39 Small-Diameter Bomb ( SDB) is a 250 pound (113 kg) Guided bomb that is intended to provide Aircraft with the ability Brimstone is an advanced air-launched Anti-tank guided missile developed by MBDA. Gulf War Friendly Fire Incident During the Gulf War, the HARM was involved in a friendly fire incident when the pilot of an F-4G Wild Weasel escorting The MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile is currently being adapted to fit internally in the missile spots and may be integrated into the F-35. Meteor is an active radar guided beyond-visual-range air to air Missile (BVRAAM being developed by MBDA to equip the Eurofighter The UK had originally planned to put up to four AIM-132 ASRAAM internally but this has been changed to carry 2 internal and 2 external ASRAAMs. ^[74]

At the expense of being more detectable by radar, many more missiles, bombs and fuel tanks can be attached on four wing pylons and two wingtip positions. The two wingtip pylons can only carry AIM-9X Sidewinders, while the AIM-120 AMRAAM, Storm Shadow, Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) cruise missiles and 480 gallon fuel tanks can be carried in addition to the stores already integrated. The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range Air-to-air missile carried by Fighter aircraft and recently certain gunship helicopters Storm Shadow is an Anglo - French air-launched Cruise missile, manufactured by MBDA and used by France Italy and the United Kingdom The AGM-158 JASSM ( Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is a Cruise missile developed in the United States. An air-to-air load of eight AIM-120s and two AIM-9s is conceivable using internal and external weapons stations, as well as a configuration of six two thousand pound bombs, two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s. ^[73] With its payload capability, the F-35 can carry more air to air and air to ground weapons than legacy fighters it is to replace as well as the F-22 Raptor. ^[75]

Manufacturing responsibilities

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and performs aircraft final assembly, overall system integration, mission system, and provides forward fuselage, wings and flight controls system. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a major unit of Lockheed Martin with headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas. Northrop Grumman provides Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, center fuselage, weapons bay, and arrestor gear. Northrop Grumman Corporation ( is an Aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. An Electronically Scanned Array (AESA also known as active Phased array Radar is a type of Radar whose Transmitter and BAE Systems provides Aft fuselage and empennages, horizontal and vertical tails, crew life support and escape systems, Electronic warfare systems, fuel system, and Flight Control Software (FCS1). BAE Systems plc (BAE is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, that has global interests particularly Electronic warfare ( EW) is the use of the Electromagnetic spectrum to effectively deny the use of this medium by an adversary while optimizing its use by friendly Alenia will perform final assembly for Italy and, according to an Alenia executive, assembly of all European aircraft with the exception of the UK's. Alenia Aeronautica is an Aerospace engineering corporation in Italy, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. ^[76]

Operational history

The F-35A Lightning II's first flight on 15 December 2006

The F-35B's (STOVL-version) first flight on 6 June 2008

Testing

On 19 February 2006, the first F-35A (USAF version) was rolled out in Fort Worth, Texas. Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. The aircraft underwent extensive ground testing at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in fall 2006. For uses prior to 1 October 1994 see Carswell Air Force Base Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth or NAS JRB Fort Worth, On 15 September 2006 the first engine run of the F135 afterburning turbofan was conducted in an airframe, with the tests completed on 18 September after a static run with full afterburner. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated The engine runs were the first time that the F-35 was completely functional on its own power systems. ^[77] On 15 December 2006, the F-35A completed its maiden flight. Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

On 3 May 2007, an electrical problem consisting of electrical arcing inside a hydraulic control box forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[78] It was grounded until 7 December, when test pilot Jon Beesley flew a 55-minute test flight. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways ^[78]

A unique feature of the test program is the use of the so-called Lockheed CATBird avionic testbed, a highly modified Boeing 737-330, inside of which are racks holding all of F-35's avionics, as well as a complete F-35 cockpit. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[79]

On 31 January 2008 at Fort Worth, Texas, Lt. Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Col. James "Flipper" Kromberg of the U. S. Air Force became the first military service pilot to evaluate the F-35, taking the aircraft through a series of maneuvers on its 26th flight.

On 12 March 2008, the first F-35A (AA-1) began aerial refueling testing on its 34th test flight. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling ( IFR) air-to-air refueling ( AAR) or tanking, is ^[80]

On 11 June 2008, after extensive ground testing, the first F-35B (STOVL version, designated BF-01) made its maiden flight at Fort Worth. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[81]

Variants

The F-35 is planned to be built in three different versions to suit the needs of its various users. Orders for many aircraft are expected with the United States Air Force planning to acquire 1,765. ^[82]

F-35A

The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the US Air Force and other air forces. CTOL is an acronym for Conventional Take-off and Landing, and is the process whereby conventional Aircraft (such as passenger aircraft Take off and It is the smallest, lightest F-35 version and is the only variant equipped with an internal cannon, the GAU-22/A. This 25 mm cannon, a development of the 20 mm M61 Vulcan is designed for increased effectiveness against ground targets. The M61 Vulcan is a 20 mm Hydraulically or Pneumatically driven six- barreled air-cooled The GAU-22 is a version of the GAU-12 carried by the USMC's AV-8B Harrier II. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The F-35A is expected to match the F-16 in maneuverability, instantaneous and sustained high-g performance, and outperform it in stealth, payload, range on internal fuel, avionics, operational effectiveness, supportability and survivability. It also has an internal laser designator and infrared sensors.

The A variant is primarily intended to replace the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcons, beginning in 2013, and replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II starting in 2028.

F-35B

X-35B lift fan; the VTOL propulsion system is designed and manufactured by Rolls-Royce plc

The F135 engine with lift fan, roll posts, and rear vectoring nozzle, as designed for the F-35B, at the Paris Air Show, 2007

The F-35B is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant aircraft. VTOL is an abbreviation for Vertical Take-Off and Landing. VTOL describes Fixed-wing aircraft that can lift off vertically Rolls-Royce plc ( is a British Aircraft engine maker and the second-largest in the world behind GE Aviation. STOVL is an acronym for S hort T ake O ff and V ertical L anding The F-35B is similar in size to the Air Force F-35A, trading fuel volume for vertical flight systems. Like the AV-8 Harrier II, guns will be carried in a ventral pod. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Vertical flight is by far the riskiest, and in the end, a decisive factor in design.

Two different jet engines are being developed for the F-35; the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The STOVL versions of both powerplants use the innovative LiftSystem®, patented by Lockheed Martin and built by Rolls-Royce. This system is more like the Russian Yak-141 and German VJ 101D/E^[83] than the preceding generation of STOVL designs (such as the Harrier). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The EWR VJ 101 was an experimental German Jet fighter VTOL aircraft WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The LiftSystem is composed of a lift fan, driveshaft, clutch, 2 roll posts and a "3 Bearing Swivel Module" (3BSM). ^[84] The 3BSM is a thrust vectoring nozzle which allows the main engine exhaust to be deflected downward at the tail of the aircraft. Thrust vectoring is the ability of an Aircraft or other vehicle to direct the Thrust from its main Engine (s in a direction other than parallel to The lift fan near the front of the aircraft provides a counter-balancing thrust. Somewhat like a vertically mounted turboprop within the forward fuselage, the lift fan is powered by the engine's low-pressure (LP) turbine via a driveshaft and gearbox. A turboprop engine is a type of aircraft powerplant that uses a Gas turbine engine to drive a Propeller. Roll control during slow flight is achieved by diverting pressurized air from the LP turbine through wing mounted thrust nozzles called Roll Posts. ^[85]

In effect, the F-35B power plant acts as a flow multiplier, much as a turbofan achieves efficiencies by moving unburned air at a lower velocity, and getting the same effect as the Harrier's huge, but supersonically impractical, main fan. A turbofan is a type of Jet engine, similar to a Turbojet. It essentially consists of a Ducted fan with a smaller diameter turbojet engine Like lift engines, this added machinery is dead weight during flight, but increased lifting power increases takeoff payload by even more. The cool fan exhaust also reduces the harmful effects of hot, high-velocity air which can harm runway pavement or an aircraft carrier deck. Though potentially risky and complicated, it was made to work to the satisfaction of DOD officials.

This variant is intended to replace the later derivatives of the Harrier Jump Jet, which was the world's first operational short takeoff, vertical landing fighter, ground attack aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The RAF and Royal Navy will use this variant to replace the Harrier GR7/GR9s. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The F-35B variant was unveiled at Lockheed's Fort Worth plant on 18 December 2007. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[86] and the first test flight was on 11 June 2008 ^[87] On 27 June 2007, the carrier variant completed its Air System Critical Design Review (CDR). Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. This allows the first two functional prototype F-35C units to be produced. ^[88]

The C variant is expected to be available beginning in 2012.

Specifications (F-35 Lightning II)

The first of 15 pre-production F-35s

A Pratt and Whitney F135 engine undergoes altitude testing at the Arnold Engineering Development Center.

F-35A and F-35C armament

Data from F-35 Program brief,^[89] F-35 JSF Statistics^[71]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 50 ft 6 in (15. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 37 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10. The wingspan (or just span) of an airplane or a Bird, is the distance from the left wingtip to the right wingtip 65 m)
• Height: 17 ft 4 in (5. 28 m)
• Wing area: 459. 6 ft² (42. 7 m²)
• Empty weight: A; 29,036 lb B; 32,161 lb C; 32,070 lb (13,170 kg A; 14,588 kg B; 14547 kg C;)
• Loaded weight: 44,400 lb (20,100 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 60,000 lb (27,200 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan
  • Dry thrust: 25,000 lbf^[71] (111 kN)
  • Thrust with afterburner: 40,000+ lbf^[71] (178+ kN)
• Secondary Powerplant: 1× General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 afterburning turbofan, >40,000 lbf (178 kN) [in development]
• Lift fan (STOVL): 1× Rolls-Royce Lift System driven from either F135 or F136 power plant, 18,000 lbf (80 kN)
• Internal fuel: F-35A: 18,480 lb (8,382 kg); F-35B: 14,003 lb (6,352 kg); F-35C: 20,085 lb (9,110 kg)

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 1. The Maximum Takeoff Weight or Maximum Takeoff Mass of an Aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot of the aircraft is allowed to attempt to take off WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A turbofan is a type of Jet engine, similar to a Turbojet. It essentially consists of a Ducted fan with a smaller diameter turbojet engine The AfterBurner is a lighting solution for the Game Boy Advance system that was created by Triton-Labs This article deals with the unit of force For the unit of mass see Pound (mass. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such Mach number (\mathrm{Ma} or M (generally ˈmɑːk sometimes /ˈmɑːx/ or /ˈmæk/ is the speed of an object moving through air or any Fluid 6+^[71] (1,200 mph, 1,931 km/h)
• Range: A: 1,200 nmi; B: 900 nmi; C: 1400 nmi^[71] (A: 2,200 km; B: 1,667 km; C: 2,593 km) on internal fuel
• Combat radius: 600 nmi (690 mi, 1,110 km)
• Rate of climb: classified (not publicly available)
• Wing loading: 91. The maximal total range is the distance an Aircraft can fly between Takeoff and Landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft or cross-country A nautical mile or sea mile is a unit of Length. It corresponds approximately to one minute of Latitude along any meridian. In Aerodynamics, the rate of climb RoC is the speed at which an Aircraft increases its Altitude. The United States government classification system is established under Executive Order 13292, the latest in a long series of executive In Aerodynamics, wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing 4 lb/ft² (446 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight:
  
  • With full fuel: A: 0. Thrust-to-weight ratio is as its name suggests the ratio of instantaneous Thrust to Weight (where weight means weight at the Earth ’s surface 89; B: 0. 92; C: 0. 81^[71]
  • With 50% fuel: A: 1. 12; B: 1. 10; C: 1. 01^[71]

g-Limits^[90]

• F-35A: 9 g
• F-35B: 9 g
• F-35C: 9 g

Armament

• Guns: 1 × GAU-22/A 25 mm cannon — slated to be mounted internally with 180 rounds in the F-35A and fitted as an external pod with 220 rounds in the F-35B and F-35C. The General Electric GAU-12/U Equalizer is a five-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun -style rotary cannon ^[71]
• Hardpoints: 6 with a capacity of 15,000 lb (6,800 kg)^[71],
• Missiles: Internal: 2 air-air missiles and 2 air-surface weapons; External: 2 missiles and 4 missiles/bombs^[71][89]

Popular culture

The first major film appearance of a representation of a F-35B was in Live Free or Die Hard (released as Die Hard 4. Live Free or Die Hard, released as Die Hard 40 outside the United States is a 2007 Action film, and the fourth installment in 0 or Die Hard 4 outside North America) in 2007. The film used a combination of a full-scale model and CGI^[91][92] to dramatize its hovering ability using the lift fan.

See also

• Yakovlev Yak-141
• Fifth generation aircraft
• Future Offensive Air System
• Royal Navy in the 21st century
  

Related development

• Lockheed Martin X-35
• F-22 Raptor
• PAK-FA
  

Comparable aircraft

• Boeing X-32
  

Related lists

• List of fighter aircraft
• List of active United States military aircraft
  

Media

X-35 flight, video of transition to VTOL configuration, hover, take off in STOVL configuration, in-flight re-fuelling, vertical hover and landing. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Aircraft classified as fourth generation jet fighters are those in service approximately from 1980–2010 representing the design concepts of the 1970s The Future Offensive Air System was a study which sought to replace the Royal Air Force 's strike capability currently provided by the Tornado GR4. At the beginning of the 1990s the Royal Navy was a force designed for the Cold War - with its three small aircraft carriers and a force of ASW frigates and destroyers its main WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed * List of active United States military aircraft This is a list of currently-active Military aircraft in use by the United States

Test firing of F-35 gun.

Vertical landing

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

• Official JSF web site
• Official Team JSF industry web site
• F-35 - Royal Air Force
• US Navy Research, Development & Acquisition, F-35 page
• F-35 - Global Security
• F-35 profile and F-35 weapons carriage on Aerospaceweb.org
• F-35 JSF news articles
• TuAF F-35
• F-35B Roll out pictures
• F35 Article - Armed Forces