Lockheed Martin F-35A "Lightning II"

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters developed to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability. The F-35 has three main models; the F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the F-35B is a short take-off and vertical-landing variant, and the F-35C 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. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. The F-35 carried out its first flight on 15 December 2006. The F-35A is expected to match the F-16 in maneuverability and instantaneous and sustained high-g performance, and outperform it in stealth, payload, range on internal fuel, avionics, operational effectiveness, supportability, and survivability. The A variant is primarily intended to replace the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon. The aircraft will be assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) and will be used for development test support, force development evaluation, and supporting operational test aircraft at Edwards AFB, CA. The 422nd TES conducts operational tests for the Air Combat Command (ACC) on new hardware and upgrades in a simulated combat environment. The 422nd TES also develops and publishes aircraft tactics. The first F-35A aircraft arrived at Nellis AFB, NV and 422nd TES in March 2013 for operational test and evaluation. By 2019, a total of 12 F-35As will be assigned to the base for testing and evaluation. See more...