Lockheed Martin F-35A "1000th Lightning II" Fighter Aircraft

Lockheed Martin marked a significant milestone in mid-2024 when the 1,000th F-35 Lightning II, aircraft number 22-5696, was delivered. The production program of the advanced multirole stealth fighter is now one of the most extensive in modern military aviation history, supported by widespread global adoption. Aircraft variants are tailored for different operational needs: conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A, short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B, and carrier-capable F-35C.

Detailed cockpit, weapons bay, landing gear, and pilot figure. Display with weapons and undercarriage doors open or closed. AIM-9X, AIM-120C, GBU-31(V)3 AND; GBU-38 missiles included.

Choice of markings:

• USAF F-35A 22-5696, 176 Fighter Squadron, 115 Fighter Wing, Truax Field Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin, August 2024, the 1000th F-35;
• F-35A 89-8710, Japan Air Self Defense Force, Misawa Airbase, Japan, April 2023.
• F-35A 89-87150, Japan Air Self Defense Force, Misawa Airbase, Japan, March 2023.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine multirole fighter built by Lockheed Martin as a fifth-generation aircraft to meet the needs of the USAAF, US Navy, US Army and US Marine Corps. The aircraft was originally designated X-35 JSF, but in 2006 it was changed to F-35 Lightning II. Despite the fact that the main recipient will be the US government, the project is also co-financed by other countries, especially Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands. The main contractors are: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The overriding goal of the JSF idea is to create a universal aircraft, produced for all types of armed forces, which will allow for far-reaching standardization of spare parts and a significant reduction in costs.

Ultimately, three versions of the F-35 (A, B and C) are to be created, which will have more than three quarters of identical components. The main task of the F-35 of all versions is to attack land targets, fulfill the tasks of a combat aircraft, air combat and electronic warfare. It should be noted that the F-35 is created with low-intensity conflicts in mind, unlike its larger "relative" F-22. Which does not change the fact that thanks to the power unit used (Pratt-Whitney F135 engines), avionics and stealth properties, it is one of the most modern multi-role aircraft in the world. The first serial F-35 was created in February 2006. To date (2013), 63 aircraft of this type have been created. Technical data (version F-35A): Maximum speed: 1930 km/h, maximum ceiling 18288 m, maximum range: 2220 km, armament: fixed - one four-barrel General Dynamics GAU-22/A 25mm cannon, underslung - up to 8100 kg of payload.