Multirole
F-35 Lightning II
A single-engine multirole fighter family. The baseline measurements in this record represent the conventional-takeoff F-35A variant.
- Maximum speed
- Mach1.6
- Service ceiling
- 50,000+ft
- Range
- 1,350+mi
- First flight
- 2006
Overview
- Manufacturer
- Lockheed Martin
- Country
- United States
- First flight
- Variants recorded
- F-35A, F-35B, F-35C
- Status
- In service
Engineering analysis
Systems engineering
The F-35 treats its sensors, avionics and networking as one mission system. It fuses their data before showing it to the pilot and can share that picture with other forces, so information integration is a requirement for the whole aircraft.
Aerodynamics
One F-35 design supports three very different basing modes. The F-35B adds short-takeoff and vertical-landing hardware; the F-35C has a larger wing, a stronger structure and sturdier landing gear for catapult launches and arrested landings on carriers.
Specifications
Dimensions and weights as published, with the basis of each figure.
F-35 Lightning II dimensions and weights
| Parameter | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 51 ft15.5 m | |
| Wingspan | 35 ft10.7 m | |
| Empty weight | 29,300 lb13,290 kg | |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 70,000 lb31,750 kgApproximate | Approximate |
Published figures are shown as recorded. The figure under each one, in the other unit system, is converted by ORBIX and rounded to four significant figures or one decimal place, whichever is coarser. A figure with no qualifier is a published or nominal value.
Propulsion
The F-35 Lightning II is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 low-bypass turbofan. Thrust figures in the table are per engine.
F-35 Lightning II engines
| Engine | Maximum thrust | Type |
|---|---|---|
| F135-PW-1001 engine, Pratt & WhitneyLow-bypass turbofan | 43,000 lbf191.3 kN | Low-bypass turbofan |
Performance
Published figures for the baseline aircraft. Range depends on load and fuel, so it is a reference value rather than a mission figure.
F-35 Lightning II performance
| Parameter | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.6Published maximum | Published maximum |
| Range | 1,350+ mi2,173+ kmPublished minimum | Published minimum |
| Service ceiling | 50,000+ ft15,240+ mPublished minimum | Published minimum |
Range basis: on internal fuel. A plus sign after a figure marks a published minimum.
History and variants
Each variant in the record in order of first flight, with its status. Variants with no first-flight date in the record come last.
F-35 Lightning II variants by first flight
| Variant | Status | First flight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-35AIn serviceFirst flight | In service | Conventional-takeoff variant represented by the baseline measurements in this record. | |
| F-35BIn serviceFirst flight | In service | Short-takeoff and vertical-landing variant. | |
| F-35CIn serviceFirst flight | In service | Carrier variant with a larger wing and navalized structure. |
Photographs
F-35B, the short takeoff and vertical landing variant, hovering before a vertical landing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, February 2017. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego. Public domain. Source file. 
F-35C, the carrier variant, flying with its internal weapons bays open during testing at Patuxent River, Maryland, January 2013. U.S. Navy photo. Public domain. Source file. 
F-35A Lightning II in a hangar at Lakeland Linder International Airport, Florida, December 2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Codie Trimble. Public domain. Source file.
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