Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, supersonic military multirole fighters. Its three variants combine related mission systems with different arrangements for conventional airfields, short take-off and vertical landing, and aircraft-carrier operations.^{[1]The ABCs of F-35Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Development

The Joint Strike Fighter programme sought a related family of aircraft for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as international partners. In October 2001, the US Department of Defense selected the Lockheed Martin team, including Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems, for system development and demonstration. The requirements combined strike missions with survivability and common support arrangements.^{[2]F-35A Lightning II fact sheetUnited States Air Force · af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Lockheed Martin's X-35 demonstrators preceded the F-35. The X-35B demonstrated a short take-off, supersonic flight and vertical landing in one mission. Development of the production aircraft required further redesign: excessive projected weight led to an extensive F-35B weight-reduction effort, whose changes also influenced the other variants. The demonstrator and production aircraft should therefore be distinguished.^{[3]F-35: From Design to DeliveryLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The first F-35, the F-35A test aircraft AA-1, flew at Fort Worth on 15 December 2006. That milestone began flight testing of the F-35 itself; it was not the first flight of the earlier X-35. Subsequent testing and development supported the three different service requirements.^{[4]F-35 Lightning II completes first flight, 15 December 2006Lockheed Martin · investors.lockheedmartin.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Variants

F-35A

The F-35A uses conventional take-off and landing and is operated by the US Air Force and most international customers. It is designed for land-based operations and is rated for manoeuvres up to 9 g. It combines air-to-air and strike roles with integrated sensors and communications.^{[2]F-35A Lightning II fact sheetUnited States Air Force · af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

An internal GAU-22/A cannon distinguishes the A from the B and C, whose gun installations use external pods. These installations differ even though the aircraft share the same basic cannon type.^{[5]GAU-22/A gun systems for the F-35General Dynamics, via PR Newswire · prnewswire.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

F-35B

The F-35B provides short take-off and vertical landing capability. This allows operations from suitable amphibious ships and shorter operating sites. Vertical landing capability does not mean that every weapons and fuel load is compatible with a vertical take-off or landing; mission planning must respect the aircraft's weight and performance limits.^{[1]The ABCs of F-35Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Its Rolls-Royce LiftSystem combines a shaft-driven LiftFan, a driveshaft and clutch, a swivelling rear nozzle and roll posts. Together with the main engine, these components distribute thrust for vertical lift and control. The fan is mechanically driven; it is not an independent second jet engine.^{[6]Rolls-Royce LiftSystemRolls-Royce · rolls-royce.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

F-35C

The F-35C is the carrier variant, operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps. It has a larger wing, folding wingtips and strengthened landing gear for catapult launches and arrested recoveries. Its increased internal fuel capacity supports naval missions. Folding wingtips reduce the space it occupies on a carrier deck.^{[7]Everything You Need to Know about the F-35CLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Design and mission systems

Low-observable shaping and internal weapons carriage reduce the aircraft's detectability. Fitting external weapons increases payload flexibility but changes the low-observable configuration. Stealth is a reduction in detectability under particular conditions, not literal invisibility or a guarantee against detection.^{[8]5th Gen CapabilitiesLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The sensor suite includes radar, an electro-optical targeting system and distributed infrared sensors. Information from these systems is combined to improve the pilot's understanding of the surrounding air and ground situation. The helmet-mounted display presents flight and targeting information, including imagery from the aircraft's sensors.^{[2]F-35A Lightning II fact sheetUnited States Air Force · af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Sensor fusion correlates information that might otherwise require separate interpretation by the pilot. Communications allow selected information to be shared with other forces. These functions support the F-35's use for intelligence gathering and targeting as well as weapons delivery; their usefulness depends on mission systems, connectivity and the operational setting.^{[8]5th Gen CapabilitiesLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Propulsion

The F-35 uses the Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan. The F-35A's engine designation is F135-PW-100. The B adds the LiftSystem for short take-off and vertical landing, while the A and C operate without that lift-fan installation.^{[2]F-35A Lightning II fact sheetUnited States Air Force · af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[6]Rolls-Royce LiftSystemRolls-Royce · rolls-royce.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Published thrust figures depend on the reference and rating. Lockheed Martin's 2023 F-35A product card lists 40,000 lbf with afterburner and 25,000 lbf without it; the USAF fact sheet gives 43,000 lbf. These are published reference figures, not interchangeable measurements for every operating condition.^{[9]F-35A product card (2023)Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]F-35A Lightning II fact sheetUnited States Air Force · af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Armament and missions

Weapons can be carried internally or externally, with the configuration selected for mission requirements. The aircraft supports air combat and strike tasks; its information-gathering and sharing systems also contribute to joint operations. Individual weapons clearances depend on variant, software and operator, so a capability announced for one configuration should not automatically be assumed for every F-35.^{[8]5th Gen CapabilitiesLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The GAU-22/A is a four-barrel 25 mm cannon. General Dynamics developed both the F-35A internal installation and podded installations for the F-35B and F-35C. Cannon provision therefore needs to be described by variant rather than as a single common airframe installation.^{[5]GAU-22/A gun systems for the F-35General Dynamics, via PR Newswire · prnewswire.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The United Kingdom announced in June 2025 that it would acquire 12 F-35As and participate in NATO's dual-capable-aircraft nuclear mission. This was a specific national acquisition and mission decision; it does not establish that every F-35 or every operator has a nuclear role.^{[10]UK announces purchase of F-35As, 24 June 2025UK Government · gov.uk · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

F-35A reference specifications

The following figures reproduce the reference configuration in Lockheed Martin's 2023 F-35A product card. They are not specifications for the F-35B or F-35C, and range is distinct from combat radius.^{[9]F-35A product card (2023)Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Software and modernisation

Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3, upgrades computing hardware and software. Lockheed Martin describes a new integrated core processor, increased memory and an enhanced cockpit display. These changes provide a foundation for additional mission capability, but installing hardware and delivering fully operational software are separate milestones.^{[9]F-35A product card (2023)Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Block 4 is the wider modernisation effort. Manufacturer descriptions include additional weapons capacity, electronic-warfare improvements and better target recognition. These are programme objectives and developments rather than a statement that all improvements are already fitted to every aircraft.^{[8]5th Gen CapabilitiesLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The Government Accountability Office's 2025 review examined late aircraft and engine deliveries and weaknesses in planning future development. Its findings provide an independent check on programme announcements: the schedule and scope of upgrades have changed, and promised capability needs to be distinguished from capability actually delivered.^{[11]Late deliveries and future development, GAO-25-107632US Government Accountability Office · gao.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Production and international participation

Lockheed Martin leads an industrial team that includes Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt & Whitney. The F-35 programme is managed by the US government's Joint Program Office and supported by an international supplier network. Airframe production, engines and long-term support involve different companies rather than a single wholly self-contained manufacturer.^{[7]Everything You Need to Know about the F-35CLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Lockheed Martin's fast-facts sheet published on 2 July 2026, with information current to 25 June, reported more than 1,340 deliveries, over one million fleet flight hours and 20 national programme participants. Those are a dated manufacturer snapshot, not live totals or a count of countries that had operational squadrons.^{[12]F-35 Lightning II Fast Facts, 2 July 2026 (data to 25 June)Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The participants listed were the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Poland, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece and Romania. Participation, aircraft on order, deliveries and operational service describe different stages and should not be conflated.^{[12]F-35 Lightning II Fast Facts, 2 July 2026 (data to 25 June)Lockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

National procurement plans can differ from headline programme tables. In particular, the UK government's June 2025 announcement included 12 F-35As within an expected lifetime acquisition of 138 F-35s; describing that overall ambition as 138 F-35Bs omits the announced change in variant mix.^{[10]UK announces purchase of F-35As, 24 June 2025UK Government · gov.uk · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Service and operational history

The Marine Corps declared initial operational capability for the F-35B on 31 July 2015. This was the first operational-service milestone for an F-35 variant and concerned a specified unit and capability level, rather than completion of every planned upgrade.^{[13]US Marine Corps moves forward with F-35 transitionUnited States Marine Corps · marines.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Israel publicly announced combat use of its F-35s in May 2018. Reuters reported the Israeli Air Force commander's statement that it was the first country to use the type in combat. This predates the Marine Corps' first combat employment and is important when describing the aircraft's combat debut.^{[14]Israel announces first F-35 combat use, 22 May 2018Reuters, via Euronews · euronews.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

US Marine Corps F-35Bs flew combat strikes in Afghanistan from USS Essex in September 2018. This was the first US combat employment of the F-35, rather than the first worldwide use of the family.^{[15]Marine Corps F-35B conducts combat strikes in AfghanistanUS Department of Defense · defense.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Marine Corps F-35Cs aboard USS Abraham Lincoln conducted the C variant's first combat strikes in November 2024. The Navy's account describes their employment against targets in Yemen. The B and C milestones concern different variants and deployments.^{[16]US Marine squadron conducts first F-35C combat strikesUnited States Navy · navy.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Training and sustainment

The support system covers maintenance, spares, training and engineering across a multinational fleet. Support must accommodate aircraft operating from conventional bases and ships, with different national requirements. Manufacturer sustainment arrangements include repair facilities and supply-chain support as well as work at operating locations.^{[17]F-35 sustainmentLockheed Martin · f35.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

The original Autonomic Logistics Information System, ALIS, handled maintenance and logistics information. Its successor effort, the Operational Data Integrated Network, ODIN, seeks to improve these functions. GAO documented problems including inaccurate data and deployment difficulties, showing that logistics software is a significant part of aircraft availability, not simply an administrative accessory.^{[18]Redesigning the F-35 central logistics system, GAO-20-316US Government Accountability Office · gao.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Programme challenges

Independent oversight has identified development delays, spare-parts constraints, sustainment costs and readiness shortfalls. In June 2026, GAO reported that the fleet mission-capable rate fell from 67 percent in fiscal 2021 to 44 percent in fiscal 2025; the full-mission-capable rate fell from 38 to 25 percent. These measures respectively describe ability to perform at least one tasked mission and all required missions, not aircraft losses.^{[19]Persistent readiness challenges, GAO-26-108113US Government Accountability Office · gao.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

GAO also assessed a revised support strategy intended to improve readiness. Its report identified industrial capacity and the availability of replacement parts as risks. This makes maintenance performance and supply-chain capacity relevant alongside flight performance when assessing the programme.^{[19]Persistent readiness challenges, GAO-26-108113US Government Accountability Office · gao.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

Safety and accidents

Accident findings need to be considered individually rather than treated as a single explanation for the entire fleet. The USAF investigation of the F-35A landing accident at Eglin on 19 May 2020 identified excessive touchdown speed and interactions between control-surface responses and pilot inputs as causes. It also identified contributing factors including helmet-display misalignment, fatigue and the pilot's understanding of flight-control logic.^{[20]F-35A 19 May 2020 Eglin accident investigationUnited States Air Force · afjag.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details}

See also

• Lockheed Martin

• Pratt & Whitney F135

• Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

• Fighter aircraft

• Military aircraft