The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb
agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and
Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional
external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the
F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the
USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC.

In September 2018 VMFA-211 was deployed aboard the U.S. Navy Wasp-class amphibious
assault ship USS Essex. On the 28th of the month an F-35B carried out a strike against Afghan
Taliban. This marked the first time a U.S. F-35 was used in combat when it delivered a precision-
guided bomb. The aircraft wore the name Lt. Col. Chris “Otis” Raible on the side under the
cockpit to honor the former commander of VMFA-211 killed in Afghanistan in 2012. Later in 2018
mission markings were applied to F-35B 169415’s front landing gear door.

Specifications Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Role – Multi-role stealth fighter

First Flight – December 16, 2006

Crew
F-35A CTOL – 1
F-35B STOVL – 1
F-35C CV – 1

Powerplant
F-35A – 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.
F-35B – 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600, 38,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,26,000 lbs without
and 40,500 lbs vertical.
F-35C - 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.

Internal Fuel Capacity
F-35A - 18,250 lbs (8,278 kg)
F-35B – 13,500 lbs (6,125 kg)
F-35C – 19,750 lbs (8,960 kg)

Weights
Empty
F-35A – 29,300 lbs (13,000 kg)
F-35B – 32,300 lbs (14,700 kg)
F-35C – 34,800 lbs (15,800 kg)
Maximum
F-35A – 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)
F-35B – 60,000lbs (27,300 kg)
F-35C – 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)

Dimensions
F-35A
Length – 51.4 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan – 35 ft (10.7 m)
Height – 14.4 ft (4.38 m)
F-35B
Length – 51.2 ft (15.6 m)
Wingspan – 35 ft (10.7 m)
Height – 14.3 ft (4.36 m)
F-35C
Length – 51.5 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan – 43 ft (13.1 m)
Height – 14.7 ft (4.48 m)

Performance
Speed with full internal weapons load
F-35A – Mach 1.6
F-35B – Mach 1.6
F-35C – Mach 1.6

Combat Radius with internal fuel
F-35A – 590 nm (1,093 km)
F-35B – 450 nm (833 km)
F-35C – 600 nm (1,100 km)

Range with internal fuel
F-35A – 1,200 nm (2,200 km)
F-35B – 900 nm (1,667 km)
F-35C – 1,200 nm (2,200 km)

Weapons (Standard Internal)
F-35A
1 x 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs
Weapons Payload – 18,000 lbs (8,160 kg)
F-35B
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 1,000 lb GBU32 JDAM guided bombs
F-35C
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs

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