Joint Strike Fighter Image Gallery

X-35A Joint Strike Fighter

X-35B Joint Strike Fighter

X-35C Joint Strike Fighter

F-35C

U.S. Navy carrier operations account for most of the differences between the F-35C and the other JSF variants. The aircraft has larger wing and tail control surfaces to better manage low-speed carrier approaches.
The F-35 is the Navy's first stealth aircraft.
The internal structure of the U.S. Navy variant is strengthened to handle the loads associated with catapult launches and arrested landings.
A larger wingspan provides increased range and improves low-speed handling characteristics for the Navy aircraft.
Like the U.S. Marine Corps variant, the U.S. Navy variant carries a refueling probe on the right side of the forward fuselage.
Range and payload are superior to legacy strike fighters.
Weapon loads, cockpit layout, countermeasures, radar, and other features are common with the other variants.

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F-35B

The F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy employs a short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) capability. This takeoff and landing operation succeeds through a very innovative technology known as the shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system.
Besides the propulsion system, the STOVL variant differs only slightly from the U.S. Air Force variant.
It carries a refueling probe fitted into the right side of the forward fuselage, rather than the U.S. Air Force standard refueling receptacle normally located on the top surface of the aircraft.
The STOVL variant carries no internal gun, though a missionized external gun is an option.
It shares all the electronic gear of the U.S. Air Force variant, and virtually an identical cockpit layout except for a lever to switch between wingborne and jetborne modes.
Performance and stealth characteristics are also very similar.
The STOVL variant, designed to replace the AV-8B Harrier, has more than twice the range on internal fuel, operates at supersonic conditions, and houses internal weapons.

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F-35A

The F-35A for the U.S. Air Force matches or exceeds F-16 performance levels and goes several steps beyond with stealth, increased range on internal fuel, and advanced avionics. Operational effectiveness, supportability, and survivability are greatly enhanced as a result.
Like the F-16, the F-35A has an internal gun and a refueling receptacle on top of the fuselage behind the canopy.
Unlike the U.S. Air Force F-16, the aircraft is stealthy, enabling first-look, first-shot capability. It also has an internal laser designator and infrared sensors.
Maneuverability characteristics are similar to those of the F-16, with comparable instantaneous and sustained 'High-G" performance.
The F-35A's range and payload are greatly improved as well.
The aircraft meets or exceeds all of the known service guidelines for flight performance.

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F-35 Lightning II

LIGHTNING II

The Mission
Provide the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force with an affordable and stealthy tactical aircraft for the 21st century.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has been designed to satisfy the diverse needs of each of these services with a family of affordable, lethal, survivable and supportable combat aircraft.
U.S. and international aerospace leaders have come together on the F-35 Lightning II team, bringing direct experience in each of the key areas critical to Lightning II program success.

The Concept
A common design with affordable variants that meet the individual requirements of each service.
Each variant reflects a key focus on the most critical aspect of Lightning II: achieving affordability - while setting new standards for lethality, survivability and supportability.

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