The F-35A Lightning II is the latest fifth-generation fighter for the U.S. Air Force, intended to replace the aging fleets of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. This advanced aircraft brings unparalleled capabilities to survive and dominate in modern threat environments. By combining aerodynamic performance with advanced integrated avionics, the F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability for the United States and its allies.
The F-35A CTOL fighter is designed to be agile, versatile, and of high performance as a multirole fighter. Stealth combined with advanced sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness will enable the F-35 to perform 9g maneuvers. Advanced sensor packaging on board this aircraft collects, fuses, and disseminates more information than any other fighter jet in history.
One of the key signature systems on F-35A is the ALIS – Autonomic Logistics Information System. ALIS integrates in real-time the performance data of the aircraft, operational parameters, scheduled upgrades, and maintenance history. In the background, ALIS performs monitoring and prognostics for the continued health of the aircraft, with further refinement of operational planning and execution.
The DAS provides 360° situational awareness for exceptional missile and aircraft warning with day/night vision. The EOTS extends range to detect and precisely target ground targets, and also allows long-range detection of air-to-air threats. The world’s most advanced helmet-mounted display system projects all the intelligence and targeting information required by the pilot onto the visor.
The data links on the F-35A enable secure data sharing among flight members and other airborne, surface, and ground-based platforms, enhancing a new level of coalition interoperability. The aircraft’s engine is a 43,000 lb thrust class with a three-stage fan, a six-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a two-stage low-pressure turbine.
The F-35 is a new model of international cooperation with nine countries contributing to its development – the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Australia. This partnership secures both the US and its Coalition partners’ security well into the 21st Century, while also eliminating redundant research and development costs and offering access to global technology.
The F-35 is designed to replace aging fighter inventories, including U.S. Air Force F-16s and A-10s, U.S. Navy F/A-18s, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, and U.K. Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers. The F-35 is uniquely designed for the modern-era synergy of stealth and next-generation technologies. It will be the most advanced multi-role fighter in the world.
On October 26, 2001, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Edward C. “Pete” Aldridge, Jr. approved the JSF program that resulted in the F-35. It moved the program into its SDD phase to develop a family of strike aircraft that will achieve a very significant reduction in life-cycle costs while meeting operational requirements.
The general characteristics of the F-35A are as follows: a wingspan of 35 feet, a length of 51 feet, and a height of 14 feet. Its maximum takeoff weight is 70,000 pounds with an internal fuel capacity of 18,498 pounds and a payload capacity of 18,000 pounds. Capable of flying at Mach 1.6, it has a range of over 1,350 miles on internal fuel, unlimited with aerial refueling. It can fly at altitudes above 50,000 feet with different types of munitions depending upon the particular mission. To put it another way, it is the continuing manifestation in modern air warfare: the F-35A Lightning II, through its stealth, advanced avionics, and unmatched situational awareness, ensures success in the skies.