The project to replace several USAF and US Navy fighters was origionally launched as 'Joint Advanced Strike Technology' (JAST). One of the primary goals of this effort was to come up with affordable fighters, after the Cold War funds for new combat aircraft were hard to come by.
The JAST concept defined three different concepts, based on common technology.
- The USAF wanted an affordable conventional attack aircraft with stealth, advanced avionics, and low life-cycle and operational costs, along with high reliability and good range, speed, and warload.
- The US Navy requirement for carrier ("CV" in USN nomenclature) operation was similar, but added bigger wings for low-speed carrier approaches, as well as heavier landing gear and an arresting hook for carrier landings. The Navy traditionally was biased against single-seat, single-engine aircraft, but the JAST office managed to persuade them that the new aircraft would be highly survivable.
- The USMC and the Royal Navy wanted an advanced attack aircraft with excellent STOVL characteristics for operation from forward battlefield areas, or the smaller Marine helicopter carriers and British "jump jet" carriers.
In 1994, all major aircraft manufacturers began to consider JAST designs, in 1996 the JAST office issued a request for proposals. Shortly thereafter, the JAST program was renamed to Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and Lockheed Martin offered proposals to meet the JSF request. The Boeing and Lockheed concepts were selected, both companies then began working on a demonstrator, the Boeing concept got the designation "X-32", and the Lockheed demonstrator was called the "X-35".
Boeing's "X-32A" CTOL variant first flew on 18 September 2000, and Lockheeds CTOL variant just over a month later.
The demonstrators for the USMC/ Royal Navy STOVL variant were tested in 2001, and the Navy's CV version in late 2000.
In October 2001, the Lockheed Martin X-35 was selected as the winner of the competition. Boeing was perceived as having the edge in management, while both companies were rated equally on cost and support. However, the Lockheed Martin design was seen as involving lower risk, with the lift-fan concept for the STOVL variant scoring particular points on the win.
The JSF/ Lightning II is being built by Lockheed in three variants:
- A conventional take-off and landing aircraft (CTOL) for the (US) Air Force;
- A carrier based variant (CV) for the US Navy;
- A short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy.
On the F-35B, the engine is coupled with a shaft-driven lift fan system for STOVL propulsion. The engine is built by Rolls-Royce / Allison, and provides up to 80 kN (8,150 kgp / 18,000 lbf) of lift thrust.
On Februari 20th, 2006 the first production F-35A rolled out of the assembly in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft will undergo several ground tests, including a fuel system check, ground-vibration and structural coupling testing. In the fall of 2006, the aircraft will conduct flight tests.
On July 7 2006, the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, in development by the United States and eight other countries, was named the "Lightning II," in homage to two earlier fighters.
"The F-35 Lightning II will be the centerpiece of airpower in the 21st century for America and our allies," Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said in a statement on Friday.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley announced the name at Lockheed's Fort Worth, Texas plant, saying it represented the fruit of over a hundred years of flight and aerial combat.
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Jul. 31st, 2008 | Pentagon Releases $1 Billion for Six F-35B STOVL Fighters
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Jun. 18th, 2008 | Wind tunnel tests contribute to first flight of F-35
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Jun. 18th, 2008 | F-35 and F-22 programs are on divergent paths
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Jun. 16th, 2008 | F-35B STOVL Stealth Fighter Achieves Successful First Flight
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- Lockheed F-35B Succeeds in STOVL Propulsion Ground Test
- Israel submits request to buy 25 F-35 jets, option for 50 more
- Lockheed Receives $2.2bn for F-35 Lot 2 Production
- US Navy Awards $197m for F-35 LRIP III procurement
- Canada to buy fewer F-35 fighters than thought
- Lockheed Awarded $190M for F-35 LRIP II tooling & test equipment
- Lockheed powers up F-35B STOVL engine in preparation for first flight
- Edwards AFB maintenance squadron prepares for F-35 mid-May arrival
- BAE Systems Starts Manufacture Of The First F-35 Production Aircraft
- Tight time schedule for Norwegian fighter aircraft bid
- 'Invisible' JSF not ready until 2018
- U.S. Government Report Shows Decreased Costs for F-35 Program
- Northrop Begins Training Suppliers to Make Composite Parts for F-35
- F135 Team Completes STOVL Altitude Flight Qualification Testing
- Northrop Grumman Begins Assembling First F-35 Production Jet
- Pentagon meeting held on F-35's future
- GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team Completes F136 High-Altitude Tests
- F-35C Stealth on the Carrier Deck Means High Performance, Low Maintenance
- Lockheed Martin F-35 Succeeds in First Aerial Refueling Test
- Israel May Switch to STOVL JSFs
Specifications
| Version | F-35 A |
| Length | 51.3 ft 15.7m |
| Height | 14.1ft 4.6m |
| Wingspan | 35ft 10.7m |
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F-35 Lightning II Videos | 174 Videos Available!
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This page was last updated on: 2006-03-10
