F-35 Fighter Jet Photos And Pictures

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, multirole fighter aircraft that has been in service with several countries around the world since 2015. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, with its advanced stealth capabilities, cutting-edge avionics, and highly maneuverable design.

The F-35 has been designed to perform a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance. Its advanced sensors and communication systems allow it to gather and share data with other aircraft and ground stations in real-time, making it a valuable asset on the battlefield.

Development and Design

The F-35 program was launched in the 1990s, with the goal of creating a next-generation fighter jet that could replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F/A-18 Hornet. The program involved a partnership between Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems, with the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps as the primary customers.

The F-35's design features a number of advanced technologies, including a sleek, radar-absorbent fuselage, a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, and a unique "beast-mode" configuration that allows it to carry a large payload of missiles and bombs.

Stealth Capabilities

One of the key features of the F-35 is its advanced stealth capabilities, which allow it to evade detection by enemy radar systems. The aircraft's fuselage is coated with a radar-absorbent material that reduces its radar cross-section, making it nearly invisible to radar.

The F-35's stealth capabilities are further enhanced by its internal carriage of missiles and bombs, which reduces its radar cross-section and makes it harder to detect.

Operational History

The F-35 entered service with the US Air Force in 2015, followed by the US Marine Corps in 2015 and the US Navy in 2018. Since then, it has been deployed on a number of combat missions, including in Syria and Iraq.

The F-35 has also been exported to a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

Operators

The F-35 is currently operated by a number of countries, including:

Australia: The Royal Australian Air Force operates 100 F-35As.
Canada: The Royal Canadian Air Force operates 88 F-35As.
Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force operates 27 F-35As.
Italy: The Italian Air Force operates 60 F-35As and 30 F-35Bs.
Japan: The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force operates 147 F-35As.
Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates 37 F-35As.
Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force operates 52 F-35As.
South Korea: The Republic of Korea Air Force operates 40 F-35As.
United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy operate 48 F-35Bs.

Specifications

The F-35 has a number of advanced specifications, including:

Length: 51.4 feet (15.7 meters)
Wingspan: 35 feet (10.7 meters)
Height: 14.5 feet (4.4 meters)
Empty weight: 29,300 pounds (13,300 kilograms)
Maximum takeoff weight: 70,000 pounds (31,800 kilograms)
Engine: Pratt & Whitney F135
Thrust: 22,000 pounds-force (98 kilonewtons)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.6+ (1,200 mph or 1,931 km/h)
Range: 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 kilometers)
Service ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)

Gallery of F-35 Fighter Jet Photos