F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

For employees of federal defense contractors, the development of the F35 Lightning II marks a significant day in aeronautic advancement. With the contract awarded to defense contractor Lockheed Martin, the F35 Lightning has become a reality. With the first test flight in December of 2006, the F35 Lightning II provides for a new breed in military fighter jets.

As a one-man aircraft, the F35 Lightning II boasts an incredible array of practical military services including air to air combat, bombing missions and even support those military forces on the ground. As a smaller breed and model of the F22, the F35 Lightning II is built with the same elusive stealth technology. Holding only one crew member, the F35 Lightning II winspan reaches over 35 feet. While the F35 will provide many countries with advanced technology in aeronautics, the new F35 Lightning II may first be tested, in combat, by the United States during the War on Iraq.

Intended for use by the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy and the United Kingdom Royal Navy, this new Joint Strike Fighter, the F35 Lightning, will, eventually, make ground in many other countries. With the original concept design first exhibited in November of 1996, the F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter has been a program along time in the making.

In collaboration with Northrup Grumman, this new Joint Strike Fighter, will carry a multi-functional radar considered the most high tech of radar systems available.

Available in three general models, denoted as F35A, F35B and F35C, the F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is designed so as to allow for customization based on the needs of the unit of military requiring its service. Among these models, the F35B is considered the most complex of the model designs as it is equipped with a ducted lift fan enabling the F35B to lift for vertical flight easily, both up and down.