The F-35 Lightning II is being developed as a replacement for a number of aging aircraft including the A-10 Thunderbolt, F-111 Aardvark, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and
the Harrier. It will see action with planes like the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EFA 2000 Eurofighter and F/A-22 Raptor.
The F-35 is being produced in three models: A conventional land-based version for the USAF designated the F-35A, a STOVL (short take-off vertical landing) version for the USMC, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy designated the F-35B, and a carrier-based version for the U. S. Navy designated the F-35C.
Both Lockheed-Martin and Boeing produced prototypes with the final contract going to the superior aircraft.
Lockheed-Martin's version was the winner of the contract primarily because they produced an aircraft that was superior in STOVL performance.
Their aircraft incorporated a LiftFan as opposed to Boeing's direct lift system, similar to that on a Harrrier. The combination of thrust vectoring and the LiftFan produced more vertical thrust than the Boeing aircraft, improving maneuverability. Another benefit was lowering of the amount of heat beneath the aircraft during vertical landings, a great benefit on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
From the start, the F-35 JSF has been an international program. The international partners consist of the United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia.
Features and Innovations:
The F-35 Lightning II features an all weather weapons system capable of detecting and defeating enemy air- craft at BVR, close range, down low in ground clutter, or high above, at high speeds or slow. All targets will be acquired, locked-on and the threats eliminated.The F-35A for the USAF meets or exceeds F-16 performance levels. It features stealth, increased range on internal fuel, and the latest avionics.
Because it is stealthy, it has first-look, first-shot capability. It also has an internal laser designator and infrared sensors.
The USMC U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy F-35B has short take off vertical landing (STOVL) capability that uses a shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system.
The STOVL model shares all the electronic gear of the USAF model, except for a lever to level flight and STVOL and flight.
The STOVL model, that will replace the AV-8B Harrier, can fly at supersonic speeds, has double the range on internal fuel, an has internal weapons
The F-35C has larger wing span, wing and tail control surfaces for better low-speed handling during carrier landings. It has a strengthened internal structure to handle the loads of catapult launches and carrier landings.
The F-35 will be the Navy's first stealth aircraft. Range and payload are superior to other strike fighters. Other features are common with the other F-35 models.
The F-35 Lightning II engineers all weapons systems in a single program, rather than having separate systems for different users. It is designed with an open systems architecture so changes and improvements may be incorporated more easily, keeping costs down.
An Integrated Management Framework (IMF) collaborative product computing software management system en- ables F-35 Lightning II associates to review the status of every system anywhere in the world by the Internet.
Over 80 percent of all parts are the same on all models of the F-35.
Critical software is common to all three models.
The F-35 Lightning II should cost between 40 and 50 percent less to operate and support than prior comparable aircraft, according to recent statistics.
Flight Testing:
Flight testing commenced on October 24, 2000, and concluded on August 6, 2001.
All requirements and objectives were either achieved or exceeded.
The X-35A, X-35B and X-35C all broke flight test records.
The X-35A flew the most flights (27), had the most flight hours (27.4), the most pilots checked out (6), the least canceled flights (2) and the highest flight rate (6.3 flights/ week) in its first 30 days of tests.
The X-35C is the first X-plane to complete a coast to coast flight. The flight originated at Edwards AFB, CA and the X-35C landed at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD.
