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A family of American single-engine fifth-generation stealth fighters built by Lockheed Martin in three variants for different basing needs.
The F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin under the Joint Strike Fighter programme. It combines a low radar cross-section with fused sensor data, networked operations and multirole capability, meaning one airframe performs air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance and electronic warfare tasks. It is produced in three variants designed for different basing requirements, and is operated by the United States and a large group of allied and partner air forces.
Type: PhenomenonA fifth-generation stealth fighter, single-seat and single-engine
Built by Lockheed Martin under the Joint Strike Fighter programme
Three variants: F-35A for conventional runways, F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, F-35C for aircraft carriers
Sensor fusion combines inputs from multiple sensors into a single picture for the pilot
Designed for networked operations, sharing data across aircraft and other platforms
More than 1,200 aircraft delivered, with over 17 countries fielding or ordering the type
Frequency: Fighter aircraft generations and major weapons platforms appear regularly in defence examination general awareness
| Variant | Capability | Primary user |
|---|---|---|
| F-35A | Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), from ordinary runways | Air forces, including the US Air Force |
| F-35B | Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL), able to operate from austere bases and amphibious ships | US Marine Corps and allied navies |
| F-35C | Carrier operations, with larger wings and reinforced landing gear for catapult launch and arrested recovery | US Navy |
Fighter generations describe leaps in capability rather than dates. A fifth-generation aircraft is defined by four things together: a low observable or stealth airframe that reduces radar detection; sensor fusion, in which data from radar, infrared and electronic sensors is merged automatically into one picture rather than presented as separate feeds the pilot must reconcile; networked operations, so aircraft share that picture with each other and with ships and ground forces; and internal weapons carriage, since external stores would destroy the stealth shaping. Raw speed, which distinguished earlier generations, is no longer the defining measure.
Earlier generations competed on how fast and how high the aircraft could fly. A fifth-generation fighter competes on how much it can see and how little it can be seen — the contest moved from athletics to information.
Lockheed Martin, United States
Joint Strike Fighter
Fifth
F-35A (CTOL), F-35B (STOVL), F-35C (carrier)
More than 1,200
More than 17 countries fielding or on order
About $82.5 million for the F-35A under Lots 15-17
F-35 Lightning II: fifth-generation stealth fighter by Lockheed Martin, USA
Developed under the Joint Strike Fighter programme
F-35A: conventional takeoff and landing
F-35B: short takeoff and vertical landing, for the US Marine Corps
F-35C: carrier variant with larger wings and reinforced landing gear
Fifth generation means stealth, sensor fusion, networking and internal weapons carriage
More than 1,200 delivered; over 17 countries operating or ordering it; India is not an operator
Lockheed Martin of the United States, under the Joint Strike Fighter programme.
The F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing, the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, and the F-35C for aircraft carrier operations.
Stealth shaping to reduce radar detection, sensor fusion that merges multiple sensor feeds into one picture, networked operations that share that picture with other platforms, and internal carriage of weapons to preserve the stealth profile.
No. India does not operate the F-35, though the aircraft features regularly in comparisons with other fifth-generation fighters in Indian defence discussion.