Fighter

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

The world's most advanced multi-role stealth fighter, built for three variants across three services.

Mach 1.6 Top Speed F-35A variant

01 — Overview

History & background.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the most expensive and ambitious military aircraft programme in history, with a lifetime cost estimated at over $1.7 trillion across its projected service life. It was designed to replace a dizzying array of Cold War-era aircraft — the F-16, F/A-18, AV-8B, and A-10 — in a single adaptable airframe produced in three variants: the F-35A (conventional takeoff, Air Force), F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing, Marines), and F-35C ( carrier-capable, Navy).

What makes the F-35 genuinely unprecedented is not its speed — at Mach 1.6 it is slower than many of its contemporaries — but its sensor fusion. The aircraft’s AN/APG-81 AESA radar, AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System, and AN/AAQ-40 EOTS infrared sensor continuously fuse data into a single tactical picture displayed on the pilot’s helmet-mounted display. The pilot can look through the aircraft in any direction and see a composite sensor view of the battlefield — a capability no other operational aircraft offers.

The F-35 entered operational service with the USAF in 2016 and has since been ordered by 17 nations. By 2026 over 1,000 aircraft had been delivered. Its first combat action came with the Israeli Air Force in 2018, which used the aircraft — designated the Adir — to conduct strikes in Syria, demonstrating for the first time the operational effectiveness of fifth-generation stealth in a real combat environment.

02 — Technical Data

Specifications & performance.

combat radius	1,093 km (F-35A, internal fuel)
engine	1× Pratt & Whitney F135 (191 kN with afterburner)
ferry range	2,220 km
first flight	December 15, 2006
length	15.67 m
max speed	Mach 1.6 (1,960 km/h)
mtow	31,800 kg (F-35A)
service ceiling	15,240 m (50,000 ft)
status	In service (2015–present)
weapons load	8,160 kg (6 internal + 4 external hardpoints)
wingspan	10.67 m

03 — Gallery

In the Aviation Guide app.

F-35A Lightning II three-view schematic — Aviation Guide

F-35A plan view

F-35 internal weapons bay with AIM-120 AMRAAM load

Weapons bay

F-35 helmet-mounted display system (HMDS)

Pilot interface

04 — Questions

Frequently asked about Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

What is the F-35's maximum speed?+

The F-35A has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (approximately 1,960 km/h) at altitude. This is slower than earlier fighters like the F-16 (Mach 2.0+), but the F-35 compensates with stealth, sensor fusion, and network capability that earlier designs lack.

What weapons can the F-35 carry?+

The F-35 carries weapons in two internal bays (to preserve its radar cross-section) and on six external hardpoints. Internal weapons include AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, GBU-31 JDAM bombs, and the GBU-53/B StormBreaker. External hardpoints can carry AIM-9X Sidewinders, AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, and a range of NATO-standard weapons.

How does the F-35 compare to the Su-57?+

The F-35 and Su-57 represent different design philosophies. The F-35 prioritises stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare at the cost of raw speed and agility. The Su-57 is faster and more manoeuvrable but has a significantly higher radar cross-section. Independent assessments consistently rate the F-35's situational awareness and stealth as decisive advantages in beyond-visual-range combat.

05 — Compare

Similar aircraft.

Fighter

Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

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