F35 fighter jet

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, developed by Lockheed Martin. It is designed to perform ground-attack and air-superiority missions and is considered to be one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world

Development of the F-35 began in the early 1990s as part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, which aimed to create a single aircraft that could be used by all branches of the US military, as well as by allies.

 In 2001, the F-35 program officially began with Lockheed Martin being awarded the contract to build the aircraft. The first F-35A prototype made its maiden flight in 2006. The F-35B, the short takeoff/vertical landing variant, made its first flight in 2008, and the F-35C, the carrier-based variant, made its first flight in 2010.

 The F-35 has faced several development challenges, including cost overruns and delays. Despite this, it is considered to be one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and is currently in use by multiple countries including the United States, UK, Italy, and Australia.

 The F-35 has undergone multiple tests and upgrades to improve its capabilities, and it's still in production. There's a total of over 500 F-35 delivered to various countries and it has been used in multiple training and real-world operations.

Variants of F35

The F-35 Lightning II has three different variants:

1) F-35A

The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, also known as the CTOL (Conventional Takeoff and Landing) variant. It's designed to operate from conventional runways and is the most widely produced variant of the F-35. It has an internal fuel capacity of 18,250 pounds (8,263 kg)

2) F-35B

The F-35B is the short takeoff/vertical landing variant, also known as the STOVL (Short TakeOff and Vertical Landing) variant. It's designed to operate from airfields with limited runway space and aircraft carriers. It has an internal fuel capacity of 13,500 pounds (6,124 kg)

3) F-35C 

The F-35C is the carrier-based variant, also known as the CV (Carrier Variant) variant. It's designed to operate from aircraft carriers and has a reinforced airframe and larger wing area to handle the stresses of carrier landings and takeoffs. It has an internal fuel capacity of 18,250 pounds (8,263 kg)

Range

The F-35 Lightning II has a range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 km), depending on the variant and mission configuration. This range allows the aircraft to fly to its target, conduct its mission, and return to base without needing to refuel.

The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant has a greater range and endurance compare to the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant and the F-35C carrier-based variant because of its internal fuel capacity.

The F-35's range can be extended through the use of external fuel tanks, which can be carried on the aircraft's wing pylons. These tanks can hold an additional 1,150 gallons (4,360 liters) of fuel, which can significantly increase the aircraft's range.

It's important to note that the F-35's range is affected by several factors such as the aircraft's weight, altitude, speed, and weather conditions. Also, the range can be extended using inflight refueling which is a common practice in military aviation.

 In summary, the F-35 Lightning II has a range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles, which can be extended through the use of external fuel tanks or inflight refueling, making it a highly capable aircraft that can reach distant targets and perform its mission without needing to refuel.

The F-35 Lightning II has a range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 km), depending on the variant and mission configuration. This range allows the aircraft to fly to its target, conduct its mission, and return to base without needing to refuel.

The F-35's range can be extended through the use of external fuel tanks, which can be carried on the aircraft's wing pylons. These tanks can hold an additional 1,150 gallons (4,360 liters) of fuel, which can significantly increase the aircraft's range.

 It's important to note that the F-35's range is affected by several factors such as the aircraft's weight, altitude, speed, and weather conditions. Also, the range can be extended using inflight refueling which is a common practice in military aviation.

 In summary, the F-35 Lightning II has a range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles, which can be extended through the use of external fuel tanks or inflight refueling, making it a highly capable aircraft that can reach distant targets and perform its mission without needing to refuel.

Power

The F-35 Lightning II is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine. The F135 is a high-performance, afterburning, and lift-fan-capable engine that provides the F-35 with a high level of thrust and maneuverability.

 The F135 engine is designed for the F-35, and it provides the aircraft with a maximum speed of 1.6 mach (1,200 mph) and an operational range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles. The engine has a thrust-to-weight ratio of greater than 1:1, which allows the F-35 to perform vertical takeoffs and landings, as well as supersonic flight.

 The F135 engine is also equipped with an integrated health monitoring system, which allows for real-time monitoring of the engine's performance and condition. This system helps to ensure that the engine is operating at peak performance and provides early warning of any potential issues.

 In summary, the F-35 Lightning II's power comes from its Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine, which provides the aircraft with high thrust, high speed, and long range capabilities, while at the same time providing advanced monitoring and diagnostics to ensure optimal engine performance.

Flying characteristics

The F-35 Lightning II has several advanced flying characteristics that make it a highly maneuverable and capable fighter jet. Some of these characteristics include:

Stealth: The F-35's stealth design makes it difficult for radar and other sensors to detect, allowing it to evade enemy defenses and operate in hostile environments.

Supercruise: The F-35 is capable of sustained supersonic flight without the use of afterburners. This allows it to cover large distances quickly and reach its target faster than a non-supercruise capable aircraft.

Short takeoff and vertical landing: The F-35B variant is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, which allows it to operate from smaller airfields and aircraft carriers.

Agility: The F-35 has a high thrust-to-weight ratio and advanced aerodynamics, which give it exceptional agility and maneuverability. It's able to perform advanced maneuvers such as high-alpha (high angle of attack) flight and post-stall maneuvers, making it a formidable opponent in a dogfight.

Low observability: The F-35 has a low radar cross-section, making it difficult to detect on radar. Additionally, the F-35's advanced sensor suite provides the pilot with enhanced situational awareness, allowing them to detect and evade threats before they are detected.

Network capability: The F-35 is designed to operate in a network-centric environment, with the ability to share sensor data with other aircraft and ground-based command and control centers. This allows for enhanced battlefield awareness and coordinated operations.

 Overall, the F-35 Lightning II's advanced flying characteristics make it a highly capable, versatile and survivable aircraft, with the ability to operate in a wide range of environments and scenarios.

Cost price

The F-35 Lightning II has been criticized for its high cost, with the program having faced significant cost overruns and delays. The cost of the F-35 varies depending on the variant and the quantity of aircraft being purchased.

As of 2021, the average cost per aircraft for the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant is around $80 million, while the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant is around $115 million, and the F-35C carrier-based variant is around $122 million. These costs are for a single unit and do not include the cost of research and development, which has been in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

It's important to note that these costs are not just for the aircraft itself, but also include the cost of weapons, avionics, and other systems, as well as training and support equipment. Additionally, the cost of the aircraft will also include the cost of maintenance, which can be significant over the life of the aircraft.

However, it's worth noting that these costs have been decreasing over the years, due to economies of scale, and the price per aircraft is expected to decrease as more countries are joining the program.

 Overall, the F-35 Lightning II is a highly advanced and capable fighter jet, but its high cost is a significant factor to consider when evaluating the aircraft and its role in military operations.

Fuel capacity

The F-35 Lightning II is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine, which consumes jet fuel. The F-35 has internal fuel tanks that hold a certain amount of fuel, depending on the variant, the F-35A holds 18,250 pounds (8,263 kg), the F-35B holds 13,500 pounds (6,124 kg), and the F-35C holds 18,250 pounds (8,263 kg).

 The aircraft's internal fuel tanks can be supplemented by external fuel tanks that can be carried on the aircraft's wing pylons. These external tanks can hold an additional 1,150 gallons (4,360 liters) of fuel, which can significantly increase the aircraft's range.

 The F-35 also has an in-flight refueling capability, which allows the aircraft to be refueled while in flight, allowing it to fly longer missions without needing to return to base to refuel.

 Overall, the F-35 Lightning II has a large fuel capacity, both internal and external, and the capability to refuel in flight, which allows it to perform long-range missions and extend its flight time.