FAQs
The Pratt & Whitney F135 is the most powerful fighter engine in the world. With a top speed of Mach 1.6, the F-35 is a long range, supersonic fighter, even with a full complement of internal weapons and fuel.
How many F-35 US have? ›
The F-35 aircraft is DOD's most advanced and costly weapon system. DOD currently has about 630 F-35s, plans to buy about 1,800 more, and intends to use them through 2088. We reported in this Q&A that DOD's projected costs to sustain the F-35 fleet keep increasing—from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion in 2023.
What are the different types of F-35? ›
Lockheed Martin is the prime F-35 contractor with principal partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The aircraft has three main variants: the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A, the short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) F-35B, and the carrier-based (CV/CATOBAR) F-35C.
What is the F-35 Lightning II program? ›
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II development started in 1995 with the origins of the Joint Strike Fighter program and culminated in the completion of operational testing and start of full-rate production in 2021.
Which F-35 has VTOL? ›
The F-35B Lightning II is the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Strike Fighter and features a vertical lift fan and pivoting engine nozzle to deliver vertical landing and short takeoff capability to expeditionary airfields. The F-35 will replace AV-8B Harrier IIs in the Marine Corps inventory.
How much does an F-35 jet cost? ›
How Much Does It Cost? The F-35's price per unit, including ancillary costs like depot maintenance, ground support equipment, and spare parts is $110.3 million per F-35A, $135.8 million per F-35B, and $117.3 million per F-35C.
Which F-35 variant has a gun? ›
All three F-35 variants are equipped in one configuration or another with a 25mm GAU-22/A four barrel Gatling gun ,which is capable of firing over 3000 rounds a minute. With just 220 rounds, an F-35 Pilot can empty the magazine in approx.., 4 seconds.
Which is better, F-35 or SU-57? ›
While both the F-35 and the Su-57 have their strengths, the F-35 appears to have an edge in terms of stealth capabilities and the number of unique weapons options.
Will F-35 replace F 16? ›
Along these lines, the F-35 will employ a variety of US and allied weapons. 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.
Is the F-35A 5th gen fighter? ›
As the Navy's first stealth fighter and the world's only 5th Generation, long-range stealth strike fighter, the F-35C was designed and built explicitly for aircraft carrier operations. The F-35C is operated exclusively by the Department of the Navy.
Stealth doesn't make the F-35 invisible, but it does greatly complicate an adversary's ability to find and target the jet. The F-35's shape and internal sensors, weapons and fuel all contribute to the F-35's stealth, or “low observability.”
What is the most feared fighter jet in the world? ›
The F-22 Raptor, produced by the United States, is a stealth fighter known for its lethal capabilities.
Is the F-22 better than the F-35? ›
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the specific mission requirements, with the F-35 preferred for its broad utility and compatibility with allied forces. Both are fifth-generation stealth fighters. The F-22 is older and will eventually be replaced by the Next-generation Air Dominance Fighter (NGAD).
Which country has the best fighter jet in the world? ›
The newest and most advanced fighter jets are equipped with complex computer technology with communications links to process data. Russia's Sukhoi Su-30, Su-35, and Su-37 as well as China's Shenyang J-16 are based on the Su-27 platform developed with 4.5 generation capabilities.