The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC.

The Aircraft

The JASDF has ordered 147 F-35aircraft consisting of 105 F-35As and up to 42 F-35Bs making Japan the largest foreign customer. The first F-35A will go to Misawa along with nine others by the end of 2018. Because of restrictions barring military aircraft from operations at the Shimochijima Airport on Ryukyu Islands the longest runways the JASDF have decided to deploy the F-35B variant to airports with shorter runways. Using F-35Bs on Izumo-class helicopter destroyers is under consideration. Perhaps changing some F-35A orders to F-35B.

• Role: Multi-role stealth fighter
• First Flight: December 16, 2006
• Crew
• F-35A CTOL: 1
• F-35B STOVL: 1
• F-35C CV: 1
• Powerplant
• F-35A: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.
• F-35B: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600, 38,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,26,000 lbs without and 40,500 lbs vertical.
• F-35C: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.
• Internal Fuel Capacity
• F-35A: 18,250 lbs (8,278 kg)
• F-35B: 13,500 lbs (6,125 kg)
• F-35C: 19,750 lbs (8,960 kg)
• Weights
• Empty
• F-35A: 29,300 lbs (13,000 kg)
• F-35B: 32,300 lbs (14,700 kg)
• F-35C: 34,800 lbs (15,800 kg)
• Maximum
• F-35A: 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)
• F-35B: 60,000lbs (27,300 kg)
• F-35C: 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)
• Dimensions
• F-35A
• Length: 51.4 ft (15.7 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft (10.7 m)
• Height: 14.4 ft (4.38 m)
• F-35B
• Length: 51.2 ft (15.6 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft (10.7 m)
• Height: 14.3 ft (4.36 m)
• F-35C
• Length: 51.5 ft (15.7 m)
• Wingspan: 43 ft (13.1 m)
• Height: 14.7 ft (4.48 m)
• Performance
• Speed with full internal weapons load:
• F-35A: Mach 1.6
• F-35B: Mach 1.6
• F-35C: Mach 1.6
• Combat Radius with internal fuel:
• F-35A: 590 nm (1,093 km)
• F-35B: 450 nm (833 km)
• F-35C: 600 nm (1,100 km)
• Range with internal fuel:
• F-35A: 1,200 nm (2,200 km)
• F-35B: 900 nm (1,667 km)
• F-35C: 1,200 nm (2,200 km)
• Weapons (Standard Internal)
• F-35A
• 1 x 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon
• 2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
• 2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs
• Weapons Payload: 18,000 lbs (8,160 kg)
• F-35B
• 2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
• 2 x 1,000 lb GBU32 JDAM guided bombs
• F-35C
• 2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
• 2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs