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Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II facts for kids

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F-35 Lightning II
F-35A off the coast of Northwest Florida
A U.S. Air Force F-35A
Role Stealth multirole fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin
First flight 15 December 2006; 18 years ago (2006-12-15) (F-35A)
Introduction F-35B: 31 July 2015 (USMC)
F-35A: 2 August 2016 (USAF)
F-35C: 28 February 2019 (USN)
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
Royal Air Force
See Operators section for others
Produced 2006–present
Number built 625+ as of April 1, 2021
Developed from Lockheed Martin X-35

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a super advanced military airplane. It's built in the United States. This plane is special because it can do many different jobs in the sky.

It's a stealth plane, which means it's designed to be very hard for enemy radar to detect. The F-35 is also a multirole combat aircraft. This means it can fly different types of missions. It can fight other planes in the air, which is called air superiority. It can also attack targets on the ground, known as strike missions.

Besides fighting, the F-35 can also do electronic warfare. This involves messing with enemy electronics. It can also gather important information, like intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. This helps military forces understand what's happening.

The main company that builds the F-35 is Lockheed Martin. They work with other big companies like Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

Types of F-35 Lightning II Jets

The F-35 comes in three main versions. Each one is made for a different way of taking off and landing:

  • F-35A: This version is for conventional takeoff and landing. It takes off and lands like most airplanes, using a long runway.
  • F-35B: This one is very unique. It can do short take-off and vertical-landing. This means it can take off from a short runway and land straight down, like a helicopter!
  • F-35C: This version is made for aircraft carriers. These are huge ships that act like floating airfields. The F-35C has stronger landing gear and bigger wings to help it land safely on a ship.

How the F-35 Was Developed

The F-35 comes from an earlier plane called the Lockheed Martin X-35. In 2001, the X-35 won a big competition called the Joint Strike Fighter program. It beat another plane, the Boeing X-32. This win meant the X-35 would become the F-35.

Many countries helped pay for the F-35's development. The United States provided most of the money. Other countries that are part of NATO or are close allies also helped. These include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Italy, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Building such an advanced plane is a huge task. The F-35 program has faced some challenges. It's a very complex project, and it has cost a lot of money. There have also been some delays in getting the planes ready. Engineers are always working to fix any technical issues.

Images for kids

  • X-35B Edwards

    X-35B flying over Edwards Air Force Base

  • F-35 Wind Tunnel Model

    An F-35 wind tunnel testing model in 16-foot (5 m) transonic wind tunnel at the Arnold Engineering Development Center

  • F-35A - Inauguration Towing

    The first F-35A prototype, AA-1, being towed to its inauguration ceremony on 7 July 2006.

  • United States Air Force F-35A MOD 45166050

    USAF F-35A at RAF Fairford for RIAT 2018

  • F-35 Lightning II variants in flight near Eglin AFB in 2014

    (From the top) F-35A of the 33rd FW, F-35B of VMFAT-501 and F-35C of VFA-101 near Eglin AFB, 2014

  • F-35 EOTS 12-5054

    Electro-optical target system (EOTS) under the nose of an F-35

  • AN-APG-81 Antenna, 2005 - National Electronics Museum - DSC00393

    AN/APG-81 AESA radar antenna

  • 33rd FTS, F-35 training 131212-F-TJ158-008

    Note the sawtooth design on the landing gear door and access panels

  • F-35 training system, logistic system ready for operations 150630-M-EG514-000

    F-35 cockpit simulator

  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Brad Matherne, a pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, taxis an F-35A Lightning II aircraft before its first operational training mission April 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force 130404-F-KX404-037

    The F-35's helmet-mounted display system

  • 190116-F-BQ566-003

    F-35A with all weapon bay doors open

  • F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (thrust vectoring nozzle and lift fan)

    Illustration of the STOVL swivel nozzle, lift fan, and roll-control posts

  • First F-35 headed for USAF service

    The first delivered USAF F-35 on its delivery flight to Eglin AFB, July 2011

  • F-35B taking off from a ramp on the HMS Queen Elizabeth

    A USMC F-35B launches off the ski-jump of HMS Queen Elizabeth, 2018

  • F-35C NAS Fallon

    A pair of F-35Cs and F/A-18E/Fs fly over NAS Fallon, home of TOPGUN, in September 2015.

  • An F A-18E Super Hornet from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) refuels F-35B Lightning II aircraft launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08). (51418310224)

    A F/A-18E Super Hornet (left) provides aerial refueling to a USMC F-35B

  • F-35B Lightning II lands aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) on 17 October 2019 (191017-N-QI061-1159)

    F-35B ZM148 of No. 617 Squadron landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth, 2019

  • RAAF (A35-009) Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II display at the 2019 Australian International Airshow (IMG 3022)

    An RAAF F-35A at the 2019 Australian International Airshow in Avalon, Victoria

  • IAF-F-35I-and-F-16I-nf

    The F-35I Adir (accompanied by a 253 Squadron F-16I Sufa) on its debut flight in Israel, December 2016

  • First Norwegian F-35 Lightning II at Luke Air Force Base

    First Norwegian F-35 Lightning II at Luke Air Force Base

  • First Australian F-35A at Luke AFB in December 2014

    One of the RAAF's first two F-35As in December 2014

  • USMC F-35B conducting a vertical landing aboard the JS Izumo

    On 3 October 2021, the first F-35Bs performed landings and take-offs from JS Izumo

  • Britain's most advanced jets touch down on home soil MOD 45164370

    First four RAF F-35Bs on a delivery flight to RAF Marham, June 2018

  • F-35C Lightning II aircraft are tested aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. (36272619443)

    USN F-35C performs a touch-and-go landing aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

  • F-35A three-view

    F-35A 3-view drawing

  • F-35B cutaway with LiftFan

    F-35B cutaway with lift fan

See also

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