F-35-Fighter Plane

F 35 Fighter

The F-35s are a family of three aircraft, designated the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C. Similar in shape and size, and powered by the same basic engine, the F-35s will share between 70 and 90 percent of their parts. Yet, under the skin they are three distinctly different machines. 

The U.S. Air Force will fly the F-35A. Designed to take off and land from conventional runways, it bears a close family resemblance to the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter--a trait shared by all three JSF variants. The Air Force wants to use the F-35A to replace its obsolete fleet of A-10 tank killers and rapidly aging F-16 fighters. "The [F-35A] would allow for migration by U.S. forces to an almost all-stealth fighter force by 2025," says Edward Aldridge, undersecretary of Defense for Acquisitions.

F 35B Fighter Plane

                                        F 35B STOVL                                               

U.S. Marines will fly the F-35B, which is detailed in the cutaway drawing to the right. While its overall shape, size and radar-absorbing stealth coatings are identical to the Air Force F-35A, the powerplant and airframe have been modified for short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operation. The Marines will use the F-35B to retire their current--and rapidly dwindling--fleet of British-designed AV-8B Harrier jump jets. F-35Bs would be deployed with Marine Expeditionary Units and operate off short-runway landing ships. Eventually, the Marines hope to buy 609 F-35Bs to replace the Harriers, as well as their carrier-based F/A-18C/D Hornets.

F 35C Fighter Plane

F 35C Fighter

The Navy will fly the most visibly different member of the JSF family, the F-35C. Built using the same airframe and engine as the Air Force and Marine variants, it will have larger wing and tail-control surfaces. These are needed to maintain control at the lower speeds required for carrier approaches. The wingbox and airframe will be strengthened to absorb the shock of catapult launches and arrested landings. Additional wing area--which is created with larger leading-edge flaps and foldable wingtip sections--means the F-35C will be able to carry more fuel for a longer operating range and a larger payload. The Navy hopes to buy 480 of the aircraft to replace its aging fleet of Hornets. In a future war, the F-35Cs would work in concert with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.