What Is The F-35 Lightning II?
The F-35 Lightning II. 5th-gen multirole stealth jet equipped with sensor fusion, network-centric warfare tools, and STOVL options.
United States
Origin
Stealth multirole
Role
Mach 1.6
Top speed
15,240 m
Service ceiling
F-35 Lightning II Specifications
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a 5th-generation stealth multirole fighter built in three variants (CTOL, STOVL, Carrier). Reaching Mach 1.6 via a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, it provides sensor fusion, helmet-mounted displays, network-centric warfare, and radar stealth.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph)
Service ceiling
50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Combat radius
590 nmi (1,093 km)
Rate of climb
45,000 ft/min (228 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
51 ft 5 in (15.70 m)
Wingspan
35 ft 0 in (10.70 m)
Empty weight
29,300 lbs (13,290 kg)
Engine
1x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 (F-35A/C) or F135-PW-600 (F-35B STOVL) turbofan
Service
First flight
15 December 2006
Unit cost
$82.5 million (F-35A Flyaway)
Operators
United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, Australia, Italy, Netherlands (18+ nations)
What Weapons Does The F-35 Lightning II Carry?
Fitted with an internal 25mm GAU-22/A cannon (F-35A), the F-35 Lightning II also features internal bays holding AIM-120 AMRAAM and GBU-31 JDAMs, maintaining radar stealth while carrying up to 18,000 lbs externally.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
GAU-22/A
Category
25 mm Rotary Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (182 rounds, F-35A)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
AIM-120 AMRAAM
Category
Beyond-Visual-Range Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 internally, 12 total
Range
160 km (99 miles)
AIM-9X Sidewinder
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 external missiles
Range
35 km (22 miles)
GBU-31 JDAM
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (GPS)
Loadout
Up to 2 internally
Range
24 km (15 miles)
GBU-39 SDB
Category
Small Diameter Bomb
Loadout
Up to 8 internally
Range
110 km (68 miles)
JSM
Category
Stand-Off Anti-Ship Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 internally
Range
555 km (345 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The F-35 Lightning II?
The F-35 reaches Mach 1.6, around 1,200 mph, and cannot supercruise. It is slower than the F-22, the Typhoon and the Rafale. Its designers traded speed for a large internal fuel load, internal weapons carriage and a sensor suite unmatched by any other fighter – the argument being that an aircraft which sees first and shoots first does not need to outrun anything.
How Was The F-35 Lightning II Developed?
The Joint Strike Fighter programme sought one airframe to replace the F-16, A-10, F/A-18 and Harrier across three services and multiple allied nations. Lockheed Martin's X-35 beat Boeing's X-32 in 2001. The first production-representative aircraft flew on 15 December 2006. Cost and schedule overruns have been severe and widely documented, with lifetime programme cost estimated at over $1.7 trillion.
Has The F-35 Lightning II Seen Combat?
Israel conducted the type's combat debut in 2018, and has used the F-35I Adir extensively since. American F-35s have flown strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and British F-35Bs have operated from HMS Queen Elizabeth against ISIS targets.
Who Operates The F-35 Lightning II?
Nineteen nations operate or have ordered the F-35, including the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Australia, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, South Korea and Poland. More than 1,100 have been delivered and production continues at scale.
F-35 Lightning II FAQs
Common questions about the F-35 Lightning II, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the F-35 Lightning II as a civilian?
No, the F-35 Lightning II is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the F-35 Lightning II?
No, you cannot take the controls of the F-35 Lightning II, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the F-35 Lightning II cost?
The F-35 Lightning II is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the F-35 Lightning II?
The F-35 Lightning II is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the F-35 Lightning II?
The F-35 Lightning II is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the F-35 Lightning II?
The F-35 Lightning II is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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