Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, supersonic multirole combat aircraft developed for conventional airfield, short take-off and vertical landing, and aircraft-carrier operations.

The aircraft combines low-observable design, advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, information fusion and network connectivity. It is intended to conduct missions including air superiority, strike, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and suppression of enemy air defences.^[1]

Three principal variants are produced: the conventional take-off and landing F-35A, the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B, and the carrier-based F-35C.^[2]

By July 2026, more than 1,340 F-35s had been delivered. The worldwide fleet had accumulated more than one million flight hours, while more than 3,500 pilots and 21,240 maintainers had been trained.^[3]

Development

Joint Strike Fighter programme

The F-35 was developed through the Joint Strike Fighter programme, which sought to create a family of aircraft capable of meeting the differing requirements of the United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy and international partners.

The programme was intended to replace or supplement several aircraft types while sharing major components, software and support systems across three principal variants.

Lockheed Martin developed the X-35 technology demonstrator for the competition. Boeing developed the competing X-32.

The X-35 demonstrator completed conventional, short take-off and vertical landing, and carrier-related testing. The X-35B became the first aircraft to complete a short take-off, supersonic flight and vertical landing during a single mission.^[4]

Lockheed Martin was selected to continue into the system development and demonstration phase in October 2001.

First flights

The conventional F-35A was the first production-representative variant to fly. Its first flight took place on 15 December 2006.

The F-35B first flew in June 2008, while the F-35C completed its first flight in June 2010.

Testing involved aircraft operating from conventional airfields, amphibious assault ships and United States Navy aircraft carriers.

International participation

The programme was structured around cooperation between the United States and international partner countries.

International participants contributed to development, production, testing, training and sustainment. Companies in participating countries manufacture components for aircraft delivered throughout the worldwide fleet.

Additional countries acquired the aircraft through the United States Foreign Military Sales process.

Variants

F-35A

The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing variant. It is designed to operate primarily from established land-based runways and is the lightest and most widely selected member of the family.^[5]

The F-35A is operated by the United States Air Force and most international F-35 customers.

Unlike the F-35B and F-35C, the F-35A is equipped with an internally mounted GAU-22/A cannon. The other variants can carry a gun in an external pod.

The F-35A is capable of manoeuvres producing loads of up to 9 g.^[6]

F-35B

The F-35B is the short take-off and vertical landing variant.

It can operate from amphibious assault ships, short runways and austere operating locations that cannot support conventional fighter aircraft.^[7]

The aircraft uses a shaft-driven lift fan behind the cockpit, a rotating engine exhaust nozzle and roll-control ducts in its wings to support short take-offs and vertical landings.

Its short take-off and vertical landing equipment reduces the space available for internal fuel and weapons compared with the F-35A and F-35C.

The F-35B is operated by services including the United States Marine Corps, United Kingdom Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and Italian Air Force and Navy. Singapore and Japan have also ordered the variant.^[3]

F-35C

The F-35C is designed for catapult launches and arrested landings aboard aircraft carriers.

It has larger wings and folding wingtips, increased internal fuel capacity, strengthened landing gear and an arresting hook.^[8]

Its larger wing provides improved low-speed handling for carrier approaches and gives the F-35C the greatest range of the three principal variants.

The F-35C is operated by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.

Design

Low-observable features

The F-35 uses a combination of aircraft shaping, aligned edges, internal weapons carriage, specialised materials and reduced infrared and electromagnetic signatures to limit detection.

Weapons can be carried inside internal bays when low observability is required. External pylons can be fitted when a larger weapons load is more important than maintaining the aircraft's lowest-observable configuration.

Low-observable design does not make an aircraft invisible. Its purpose is to reduce the distance and circumstances under which hostile sensors can detect, identify or track it.

Airframe

All three variants share a common basic configuration with a single engine, diverterless supersonic inlets, canted vertical stabilisers and internal weapons bays.

Differences between the variants reflect their operating requirements:

Propulsion

The F-35 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan.

The F-35A and F-35C use conventional versions of the engine. The F-35B uses a specialised propulsion system incorporating a lift fan, roll-control ducts and a three-bearing swivelling exhaust nozzle.

The F135 can produce approximately 40,000 lbf of maximum thrust with afterburner in the F-35A configuration.^[6]

Cockpit

The cockpit uses a large panoramic touchscreen display rather than the collection of smaller displays found in many earlier fighter aircraft.

Flight, sensor, navigation, weapons and communications information can be organised across the display according to mission requirements.

The aircraft uses a helmet-mounted display in place of a conventional head-up display. Information including airspeed, altitude, targeting data and sensor imagery can be projected onto the pilot's visor.

Sensors

The F-35's principal sensor and mission systems include:

• Active electronically scanned array radar

• Electro-optical targeting equipment

• Distributed infrared cameras

• Electronic warfare and radar-warning equipment

• Identification and communications systems

• Navigation equipment

• Mission-data files

The aircraft's sensors collect information about airborne, surface and ground threats.

Sensor fusion

The mission computer combines information from the aircraft's sensors and selected external sources into a single tactical picture.

This process is known as sensor fusion.

Rather than requiring the pilot to interpret each sensor separately, the aircraft correlates detections and presents prioritised information through the cockpit and helmet-mounted displays.

The F-35 can also share information with other aircraft, ships, ground units and command systems, allowing it to function as a networked sensor as well as a combat aircraft.^[1]

Electronic warfare

The aircraft includes integrated electronic-support and electronic-warfare capabilities.

These systems can detect, identify and locate electromagnetic emissions. Information can be used to warn the pilot, support targeting and contribute to the wider operational picture.

Block 4 modernisation is intended to add further electronic-warfare and non-kinetic capabilities.^[9]

Armament

The F-35 can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons internally or on external pylons.

Internal carriage helps preserve the aircraft's lowest-observable configuration. External carriage allows a larger weapons payload when stealth is less important.

Weapons integrated or planned for the aircraft include categories such as:

• Short-range air-to-air missiles

• Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles

• Guided bombs

• Stand-off air-to-surface weapons

• Anti-ship weapons

• Internally or externally carried cannon ammunition

• Nuclear weapons on authorised aircraft and services

The precise weapons available depend on the aircraft variant, software version and operator.

Internal weapons bays

The aircraft has two principal internal weapons bays.

Early configurations typically carried a combination of air-to-air missiles or guided air-to-surface weapons.

Block 4 upgrades are intended to increase internal missile capacity and integrate additional weapons.^[9]

Cannon

The F-35A carries an internally mounted four-barrel 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon.

The F-35B and F-35C can carry the same type of cannon in a low-observable external pod mounted beneath the fuselage.

Missions

The F-35 was developed as a multirole aircraft capable of performing several mission types.

These include:

• Air superiority

• Defensive counter-air

• Offensive counter-air

• Precision strike

• Close air support

• Suppression of enemy air defences

• Destruction of enemy air defences

• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

• Maritime strike

• Electronic warfare support

• Nuclear deterrence for authorised operators

• Networked command and targeting support

The aircraft's sensor and communications systems allow information collected during one mission to be shared with other participating forces.

Software and modernisation

Mission systems

The F-35 depends heavily on software for flight controls, sensor operation, information fusion, weapons employment, maintenance and mission planning.

Capability has been introduced through successive software blocks.

New software and hardware are developed to add weapons, improve sensors, respond to emerging threats and address technical limitations.

Tech Refresh 3

Tech Refresh 3, commonly abbreviated to TR-3, is a mission-systems hardware and software upgrade.

It introduces a new integrated core processor, increased computing power, a larger memory unit, an enhanced panoramic cockpit display and an open mission-systems architecture.^[6]

TR-3 provides the computing foundation required for many Block 4 capabilities.

Block 4

Block 4 is a continuing modernisation programme covering all three F-35 variants.

Planned or developing improvements include:

• Increased internal missile capacity

• Additional weapons

• Improved target recognition

• Enhanced electronic-warfare capabilities

• Updated sensors

• Improved communications

• Greater computing capacity

• Other classified capabilities

Lockheed Martin describes Block 4 as including more than 70 major upgrades.^[9]

Production

Manufacturing

Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor and conducts final assembly at Fort Worth, Texas.

Major industrial participants include Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Northrop Grumman manufactures major centre-fuselage components, while BAE Systems produces aft-fuselage and tail sections.^[10]

International final assembly and checkout facilities have also supported aircraft production and delivery.

Commonality

The three variants share major systems, including mission software, sensors, cockpit architecture and portions of the airframe.

Complete physical commonality is not possible because of the F-35B's lift system and the F-35C's carrier-related structure.

Shared systems are intended to reduce development, training and support duplication across participating services.

Deliveries

More than 1,340 aircraft had been delivered by July 2026.^[3]

The global fleet had exceeded one million flying hours and included aircraft assigned to operational, training, test and evaluation units.

Programme participants

Lockheed Martin listed 20 national programme participants in June 2026.^[3]

Country	Planned or announced aircraft
United States	1,763 F-35As; 280 F-35Bs; 413 F-35Cs
United Kingdom	138 F-35Bs
Italy	75 F-35As; 40 F-35Bs
Netherlands	57 F-35As
Canada	88 F-35As
Australia	100 F-35As
Denmark	43 F-35As
Norway	52 F-35As
Israel	75 F-35As
Japan	105 F-35As; 42 F-35Bs
South Korea	60 F-35As
Belgium	34 F-35As
Poland	32 F-35As
Singapore	8 F-35As; 12 F-35Bs
Finland	64 F-35As
Switzerland	30 F-35As
Germany	35 F-35As
Czech Republic	24 F-35As
Greece	20 F-35As
Romania	32 F-35As

United States service

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force operates the F-35A.

The aircraft is intended to replace or supplement types including the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II in several mission areas.^[11]

The Air Force declared initial operational capability for the F-35A in August 2016.

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps operates the F-35B and F-35C.

The F-35B supports expeditionary operations from land bases and amphibious assault ships. The F-35C allows Marine Corps squadrons to integrate into United States Navy carrier air wings.

The Marine Corps declared initial operational capability for the F-35B in July 2015, making it the first F-35 variant to enter operational service.

United States Navy

The United States Navy operates the F-35C from aircraft carriers.

Its large wing, folding wingtips, strengthened landing gear and arresting equipment are designed for catapult launches and carrier recoveries.^[8]

The Navy declared initial operational capability for the F-35C in February 2019.

International service

Australia

The Royal Australian Air Force operates the F-35A.

Australia selected the aircraft to replace the F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornet and expand its networked air-combat capabilities.

Belgium

Belgium selected the F-35A to replace its F-16 fleet.

Its aircraft support integration with other European F-35 operators and NATO forces.

Canada

Canada selected the F-35A through its future-fighter procurement programme.

The aircraft is intended to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force's CF-18 fleet.

Denmark

The Royal Danish Air Force operates the F-35A as the replacement for its F-16 aircraft.

Danish aircraft participate in NATO training and air-defence activities.

Finland

Finland selected 64 F-35As through its HX fighter programme.

The type is intended to replace the Finnish Air Force's F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornet fleet.

Israel

The Israeli Air Force operates a locally designated version known as the F-35I Adir.

Israel was the first country to use the F-35 in acknowledged combat operations.

Italy

Italy operates both the F-35A and F-35B.

The Italian Air Force operates both variants, while the Italian Navy uses the F-35B for operations from ships and land bases.

Italy also hosts a final assembly and checkout facility at Cameri.

Japan

Japan has ordered both the F-35A and F-35B.

The F-35B supports planned operations from modified Izumo-class ships as well as land bases.

Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates the F-35A as its replacement for the F-16.

Dutch aircraft contribute to national, NATO and coalition operations.

Norway

The Royal Norwegian Air Force operates the F-35A.

Norwegian aircraft are fitted with a braking parachute system intended to support operations from icy runways.

Poland

Poland selected the F-35A under the name Husarz.

The aircraft is intended to strengthen Polish and NATO air capabilities.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea Air Force operates the F-35A.

South Korea has ordered additional aircraft as part of its continuing force-modernisation programme.

Singapore

Singapore selected a mixed fleet of F-35A and F-35B aircraft.

Its acquisition allows evaluation and use of both conventional and short take-off and vertical landing capabilities.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom operates the F-35B through a joint Royal Air Force and Royal Navy force.

British aircraft operate from land bases and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

The F-35B is known as Lightning in UK service.

Operational history

All three principal F-35 variants have conducted combat operations.^[12]

The programme's July 2026 fast-facts document identified operations including:

• Operation Inherent Resolve

• Operation Shader

• Operation Rough Rider

• Operation Rising Lion

• Operation Midnight Hammer

• Operation Epic Fury

• Operation Absolute Resolve

The exact roles and details associated with some military operations remain limited or classified.

F-35B combat debut

The F-35B was the first variant to conduct combat operations.

United States Marine Corps aircraft conducted strikes in Afghanistan in 2018 after launching from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex.

F-35A operations

F-35A aircraft have been used operationally by the United States and international operators.

The aircraft has performed strike, air-defence, intelligence-gathering and electronic-support missions.

F-35C combat debut

United States Marine Corps F-35Cs conducted the variant's first acknowledged combat strikes in November 2024.^[13]

The aircraft operated as part of a carrier air wing aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.

Bases and deployments

As of June 2026, Lockheed Martin reported:

• 42 active bases, with 58 projected through 2030

• 13 active ships, with 24 projected through 2030

• 55 total current activations

• 17 services flying the aircraft

• 12 nations operating F-35s from their home territory

• More than 800 detachments and deployments completed

• More than 780,645 sorties

• 14 services having declared initial operational capability

• Two services having declared full operational capability^[3]

Projected activations remain subject to decisions by individual customers.

Training

The multinational programme uses shared and national training locations for pilots and maintainers.

Training includes:

• Academic instruction

• Full-mission simulation

• Conversion flying

• Weapons and tactics instruction

• Maintenance training

• Mission-data preparation

• Carrier or expeditionary qualification where applicable

More than 3,500 pilots and 21,240 maintainers had been trained by July 2026.^[3]

Sustainment

The F-35 programme uses a global support system involving government organisations, Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney and other industrial partners.

Support activities include:

• Base and flight-line operations

• Pilot and maintainer training

• Supply-chain management

• Regional warehouses

• Repair and upgrade facilities

• Test and support equipment

• Engineering assistance

• Continuous software and mission-data updates

• Around-the-clock sustainment services^[6]

Logistics information systems

The programme originally used the Autonomic Logistics Information System, commonly abbreviated to ALIS, for maintenance, supply and aircraft-health information.

A replacement environment known as the Operational Data Integrated Network, or ODIN, has been developed to improve performance, usability and deployability.

Global support network

Regional warehouses, maintenance depots and repair facilities support aircraft operating across North America, Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Some components can be shared across participating users, although national policies and operational requirements affect how the support system is used.

Programme challenges

The F-35 is one of the largest and most technically complex military aircraft programmes undertaken.

Development and service entry involved challenges including:

• Software delays

• Concurrency between development and production

• Engine and component shortages

• Maintenance costs

• Aircraft availability

• Spare-parts management

• Logistics-system limitations

• Delays to modernisation

• Technical deficiencies discovered during testing

• Different national certification and security requirements

Continuing upgrades are intended to address technical issues and maintain capability against changing threats.

Safety and accidents

F-35 aircraft have been involved in accidents and serious incidents during testing, training, carrier operations and routine flying.

Causes have included technical failures, pilot factors and landing or take-off events.

Several pilots have successfully ejected, while some aircraft have been recovered from the sea following shipboard accidents.

Investigations are conducted by the relevant military service or national authority. Findings can lead to fleet inspections, temporary operating restrictions, software changes, component replacement or revised procedures.

Comparison of variants

Naming

The name Lightning II recognises two earlier aircraft:

• The American Lockheed P-38 Lightning

• The British English Electric Lightning

The name also reflects the programme's cooperation between the United States and United Kingdom.

Individual operators have introduced additional national names, including Israel's Adir and Poland's Husarz.

See also

• Lockheed Martin X-35

• Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

• Boeing X-32

• Pratt & Whitney F135

• Joint Strike Fighter programme

• Fifth-generation fighter

• Stealth aircraft

• Short take-off and vertical landing

• Carrier-based aircraft

External links

• Official F-35 programme website

• About the F-35

• F-35 programme participants

• F-35A information

• F-35B information

• F-35C information

• United States Air Force F-35A fact sheet

• United States Navy F-35 programme page