Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

From Encyc

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine stealth multirole fighters. When it enters service it will be one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, performing ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions.[1][2] The F-35 has three main models; one is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is a short take off and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. JSF development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding.[3] It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin.[3] The F-35's first flight took place on 15 December 2006.[4]

The United States intends to buy a total of 2,443 aircraft for an estimated US$323 billion, making it the most expensive defense program ever.[5] The USAF's budget data in 2010, along with other sources, projects the F-35 to have a flyaway cost that ranges between US$89 million and US$200 million over the planned production of F-35's, depending on the variant.[6][7][8][9] Lockheed Martin expects to reduce government cost estimates by 20%.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LHMC
  2. ↑ Knesset Finance C'ttee approves F-35 deal
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Lightning II – International Partners." GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved: 7 April 2010.
  4. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter first flight – short but sweet." Flight International, 15 December 2006.
  5. ↑ "Pentagon's F-35 Fighter Under Fire in Congress." pbs.org. Retrieved: 22 Augusut 2010.
  6. ↑ "FY 2011 Budget Estimates", p. 1–1/47. United States Air Force, February 2010.
  7. ↑ The F-35I Looks Pregnant
  8. ↑ Stealth fighters cheap at $140m
  9. ↑ Israel to buy advanced US fighter jets
  10. ↑ "Lockheed F-35 to beat Pentagon estimate by 20 pct." Reuters. Retrieved: 22 August 2010.
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