Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Lockheed Martin and its international partners developed the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in three basic versions: the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A, the short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B and the carrier-variant (CV) F-35C. Since the first F-35A flew in December 2006, the fleet has racked up more than 155,000 flight hours, including more than 17,000 during development testing.
Delivery of production aircraft began in 2011 and the F-35B achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with the US Marine Corps in July 2015. The F-35A followed with the USAF in August 2016. The carrier-variant entered service with the US Navy in February 2019. More than 760 have been manufactured since production began in 2006.
Does the United States need an all-stealth air force?
Is stealth really a necessity in military aviation? Charlie Clark examines the options for air arms
Singapore green lights additional F-35B purchase
Having concluded its evaluation of the F-35B Lightning II, the Republic of Singapore Air Force revealed it would exercise its option to acquire another eight examples of the STOVL-configured variant of the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter family on February 24
Cost of UK's final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning IIs to increase
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US Navy and USMC F-35B/C Squadrons: A Complete Guide
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The F-35 is the first aircraft to serve in three different versions, planned from the outset in all US services. In the first of a two-part feature, Gérard Keijsper focuses on the operational units of the USAF F-35 fleet
What weapons can the F-35 carry? Global armaments list
The ever-increasing bite of the Lockheed Martin F-35 makes it a fearsome system. Gerard Keijsper looks at its armaments and the developments to come
UK Lightning Force struck by maintenance crew shortage
The introduction of the UK’s Lightning Force is being held back due to a lack of trained ground crew personnel; a British government minister has revealed
Falcon Strike: Italy works to enhance fifth-gen fighter combat tactics
As the Italian Air Force prepares to mark its centenary on March 28, 2023, it hosted a training exercise focused on fifth-generation fighter tactics, Combat Aircraft Journal visited Amendola Air Base in Northern Italy for Exercise Falcon Strike 22 and spoke to those involved
USAF B-1Bs integrate with ROKAF F-35As as bombers return to Guam
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Lockheed Martin reveals cost of British F-35B procurement
Documents have revealed that the UK has paid $4.17bn (£3.36bn) in procuring its first 35 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-configured F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin