F-35 Lightning II
Lockheed Martin · Fighter / Attack · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single-engine fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter built in three variants for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and seventeen international partners. First flight came on 15 December 2006; the U.S. Marine Corps declared its F-35B variant in-service on 31 July 2015, the U.S. Air Force its F-35A variant on 2 August 2016, and the U.S. Navy its F-35C variant on 28 February 2019. As of 2026 about 1,150 aircraft have been delivered against an eventual programme of 3,500+ across all customers — the largest fighter programme in U.S. history.
The F-35 was conceived as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) — a single airframe to replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt II, AV-8B Harrier II, and several international fighters. Lockheed Martin's X-35 won the JSF competition in October 2001 over Boeing's X-32 — a narrow-decision win that selected Lockheed's lift-fan STOVL solution for the F-35B over Boeing's direct-lift approach. The single airframe spawned three variants: F-35A conventional takeoff (USAF + most exports), F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (USMC + UK + Italy + Japan), F-35C carrier-based (USN + USMC).
The F-35's defining role is sensor fusion. The aircraft's AN/APG-81 AESA radar, AN/AAQ-37 distributed aperture system, AN/AAQ-40 EOTS targeting system, and ALIS/ODIN logistics network combine to give the pilot a single combatpicture that no single sensor could produce alone. Stealth is achieved through shape (V-tail vertical fins, internal weapon bays, blended airframe edges) and radar-absorbent materials. Maximum speed Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph); combat radius about 760 nm internal-fuel; weapons load 18,000 lb across internal and external stations. Programme cost is the largest in U.S. military history at approximately USD$2 trillion across the full 50-year service life.
F-35 customers as of 2026: USAF (1,763), USMC (353), USN (260), UK (138), Italy (90), Israel (75), Australia (72), Japan (147), Norway (52), Netherlands (52), Denmark (27), Belgium (34), Poland (32), South Korea (60), Finland (64), Switzerland (36), Greece (20), Singapore (12), Czech Republic (24), Romania (32), and Germany (35). Combined order book exceeds 3,400 aircraft. The F-35 has been combat-tested by the IDF/AF (Israeli Air Force) since 2018 and by U.S. forces since 2018 in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The F-35 Lightning II is a stealth fighter jet made by Lockheed Martin. It is built for the American Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. Seventeen other countries fly it too. Its first flight happened on December 15, 2006.
The F-35 comes in three versions. The F-35A takes off and lands on a normal runway. The F-35B can take off on a short runway and land straight down like a helicopter. The F-35C is built for aircraft carriers at sea.
The F-35 was designed to replace many older jets at once. It replaced planes like the F-16, F/A-18, and the A-10. One smart new jet doing many jobs saves time and money. That was the big idea behind this program.
Lockheed Martin beat out Boeing to win the contract back in 2001. Boeing had its own design called the X-32. Lockheed's design, called the X-35, won the contest. The F-35B version uses a special lift fan to hover and land vertically.
More than 1,150 F-35s have been delivered so far. The plan is to build over 3,500 total. That makes it the largest fighter jet program in American history. It is faster than most jets that came before it.
Fun Facts
- The F-35 Lightning II first flew on December 15, 2006.
- Three different versions of the F-35 exist — one for each branch of the American military.
- The F-35B can land vertically, straight down, just like a helicopter!
- Over 1,150 F-35s have been built and delivered so far.
- The plan calls for more than 3,500 F-35s — making it bigger than any fighter program in American history.
- Lockheed Martin beat Boeing in a close contest to build this jet back in 2001.
- The F-35 replaced five older jet types, which is faster than building five separate new planes.
- Twenty-one countries fly or have ordered the F-35 Lightning II.
Kids’ Questions
What makes the F-35 a stealth jet?
A stealth jet is shaped and coated so that radar has trouble spotting it. This helps the F-35 fly into dangerous areas without being seen. It is like wearing an invisibility cloak in the sky!
Why are there three versions of the F-35?
Each branch of the military has different needs. The Air Force lands on long runways, so it uses the F-35A. The Marines need a jet that can land in small spaces, so they use the F-35B. The Navy lands on ships, so it uses the stronger F-35C.
How does the F-35B land straight down?
The F-35B has a special spinning fan inside it called a lift fan. This fan pushes air downward to hold the jet up. The engine also points its thrust downward to help. Together, they let the jet hover and land in a very small spot.
How many F-35s will be built in total?
The full plan calls for more than 3,500 F-35s across all countries. That is a huge number of fighter jets! More than 1,150 have already been delivered. It is the largest fighter jet program in American history.
Variants
- F-35A Conventional
- USAF + most international export variant. Conventional takeoff and landing from a runway. ~570 delivered of 1,763 planned for the USAF alone.
- F-35B STOVL
- Short takeoff and vertical landing variant for USMC, UK, Italy, Japan. Uses a Rolls-Royce LiftSystem (lift fan + swivelling rear nozzle) for vertical landing. ~225 delivered.
- F-35C Carrier
- Carrier-based catapult-launched, arrested-recovery variant for U.S. Navy + Marine Corps. Larger wing for carrier landing approach speeds. ~165 delivered.
Notable Operators
- United States Air Force
- Largest single customer. 1,763 F-35As planned; ~570 delivered as of 2026. Initial operating role 2 August 2016. The F-35A is replacing F-16 and A-10 fleets across multiple wings.
- United States Marine Corps
- First service to declare initial in-service role (31 July 2015 with F-35B). Replacing AV-8B Harrier II and F/A-18C/D Hornet. 353 aircraft planned across F-35B + F-35C variants.
- United States Navy
- Operates F-35C from Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers. Initial deployment to USS Carl Vinson 2021. 260 aircraft planned, replacing legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.
- International partners (17 customers)
- UK, Italy, Israel, Australia, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, South Korea, Finland, Switzerland, Greece, Singapore, Czech Republic, Romania, Germany. Combined orders ~1,500+ aircraft. Israel was the first foreign operator to use the F-35 in combat (2018).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many F-35s have been built?
About 1,150 F-35s of all three variants have been delivered as of 2026. Total programme target is approximately 3,500-4,000 aircraft across all 21 announced customers, with deliveries running through approximately 2050.
How is the F-35 different from the F-22?
The F-22 Raptor is a pure air-superiority fighter — twin engines, supercruise (sustained Mach 1.8 without afterburner), focused on air-to-air combat. The F-35 is a multirole strike fighter — single engine, Mach 1.6, focused on air-to-ground strike with secondary air-to-air. Both are 5th-generation stealth fighters; their roles are deliberately complementary, not competitive.
How much does an F-35 cost?
F-35A flyaway unit cost (the basic 2024 USAF buy): about USD$82 million. F-35B (STOVL) about $109M. F-35C (carrier) about $107M. Programme total cost across 50-year service life: approximately USD$2 trillion — the largest single weapons programme in U.S. history.
What countries fly the F-35?
21 announced customers as of 2026: the U.S. (USAF, USMC, USN), UK, Italy, Israel, Australia, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, South Korea, Finland, Switzerland, Greece, Singapore, Czech Republic, Romania, and Germany. Israel was the first foreign operator to use the F-35 in combat (2018 strike on a Syrian air-defence radar).
Has the F-35 seen combat?
Yes — the IDF/AF used F-35I Adir variants in 2018 against Syrian air defences (the world's first combat use of any 5th-generation fighter), and again multiple times in 2021-2024 against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi targets. U.S. F-35As and F-35Bs have flown combat sorties in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan since 2018.
Sources
See Also
- Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor — Sister 5th-generation U.S. stealth fighter (air superiority)
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon — F-35A primary replacement target
- McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet — F-35C primary replacement target
- AV-8B Harrier II — F-35B primary replacement target
- Sukhoi Su-57 Felon — Russian 5th-generation fighter (stealth competitor)