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The F-35 Lightning II is a major multinational program intended to produce an “affordably stealthy” multi-role strike fighter that will have three variants: the F-35A conventional version for the US Air Force et. al.; the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing for the US Marines, British Royal Navy, et. al.; and the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version for the US Navy. The aircraft is named after Lockheed’s famous WW2 P-38 Lightning, and the Mach 2, stacked-engine English Electric (now BAE) Lightning jet. System development partners included The USA & Britain (Tier 1), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3). Singapore and Israel are “Security Cooperation Partners.” Now the challenge is agreeing on production phase membership and arrangements, to be followed by initial purchase commitments around 2008-2009.
This article covers the $300 billion international program’s events, main contracts, and ancillary programs during FY/CY 2007. For more recent updates, see 2009-2010 JSF news and contracts.
Displaying 162 of 9,183 words (about 23 pages)
Get instant access to the whole F-35 story, at $300 billion the largest weapons program ever, when you subscribe to DII. Our cross-linked article network and reference materials include:
- 18 photos and graphic cutaways; also tens of other photos of related systems and programs
- The F-35A-C family of variants, and some comparison to other fighters
- Advanced systems and accessories, such as the Helmet (HMDS), the APG-81 AESA radar and more
- Contributing contractors
- Collaborating countries, who is involved, and how
- Production timelines
- GAO assessments of likely actual costs
- Links to press releases, articles and statements from the source: Lockheed Martin, BAE, US DOD, US GAO, and others
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