Difference between revisions of "F-35 Lightning II"
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The Lightning II evolved from the X-35, the winning design in the [[United States Air Force|USAF]] Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) design competition. The [[Lockheed Martin]] design defeated the [[Boeing]] designed X-32. | The Lightning II evolved from the X-35, the winning design in the [[United States Air Force|USAF]] Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) design competition. The [[Lockheed Martin]] design defeated the [[Boeing]] designed X-32. | ||
| − | The JSF concept involves a single common airframe with multiple variants to fulfill multiple roles. As such, the F-35 has three distinct variants, each engineered for their respective contractors. The F-35A is the conventional take off (CTOL) version primarily intended for the USAF as a replacement for the aging [[F-16]] Falcon. The F-35B is a short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) version intended primarily for the USMC as a replacement for the AV-8B | + | The JSF concept involves a single common airframe with multiple variants to fulfill multiple roles. As such, the F-35 has three distinct variants, each engineered for their respective contractors. The F-35A is the conventional take off (CTOL) version primarily intended for the USAF as a replacement for the aging [[F-16]] Falcon. The F-35B is a short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) version intended primarily for the USMC as a replacement for the [[AV-8B Harrier]]. The F-35C is a carrier based variant intended primarily for the USN as a replacement for older model F-18 Hornets (A/B/C variants) which in turn replaced the venerable Vought [[A-7 Corsair II]] and Grumman [[A-6 Intruder]]. |
[[Category:aircraft]] | [[Category:aircraft]] | ||
Revision as of 01:51, June 16, 2008
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (so named in honor of the WWII era Lockheed P-38 Lightning) is a single seat next generation multi-role strike aircraft with stealth capabilities. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine capable of producing in excess of 40,000 pounds of thrust.
The Lightning II evolved from the X-35, the winning design in the USAF Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) design competition. The Lockheed Martin design defeated the Boeing designed X-32.
The JSF concept involves a single common airframe with multiple variants to fulfill multiple roles. As such, the F-35 has three distinct variants, each engineered for their respective contractors. The F-35A is the conventional take off (CTOL) version primarily intended for the USAF as a replacement for the aging F-16 Falcon. The F-35B is a short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) version intended primarily for the USMC as a replacement for the AV-8B Harrier. The F-35C is a carrier based variant intended primarily for the USN as a replacement for older model F-18 Hornets (A/B/C variants) which in turn replaced the venerable Vought A-7 Corsair II and Grumman A-6 Intruder.
