3. Introduction
• The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter (JSF) or F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.
• The single-seat, single-engine fifth-generation F-35A has been designed and is being
developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics for the US Air Force (USAF) and allied
air forces.
• The multi-role, supersonic, stealthy fighter aircraft is designed to undertake air
defense, ground attack and reconnaissance missions.
• The F-35A will replace the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters and will supersede
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft by 2028.
4.
5. Design
• The F-35A CTOL variant of the F-35 aircraft is designed mainly as a low-visibility
aircraft with air-to-ground attack and air-to-air combat capabilities. Turning agility
of the aircraft is nine times the force of gravity.
• The F-35A CTOL is powered by a single F135 engine (F135-PW-100 variant)
manufactured by Pratt & Whitney.
• The F135 is a two-spool afterburning turbofan type engine capable of producing
maximum thrust of 191.3kN and intermediate thrust of 128.1kN.
• The F-35A is more affordable as approximately 80% of its parts are common to other
variants of the F-35 aircraft.
6.
7. Armaments
• The F-35A is equipped with an internally-mounted GAU-22/A Equalizer gun
manufactured by General Dynamics.
• This 25mm gun is designed for greater effectiveness against ground targets.
• The aircraft's weapon station includes three external pylons on each of the two wings
with a combined capacity of 6,800kg.
• Moreover, there are two internal bays with two pylons each with a combined payload
capacity of 8,100kg.
8.
9. Avionics
• Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is supplying its AN/APG-81 Active
Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the aircraft.
• The company is also supplying the AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS)
missile warning system, which is fitted with six electro-optical sensors.
• An electronic warfare suite, designated as AN/ASQ-239, will be supplied by BAE
Systems.
• Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) communication system will be provided
by Harris Corporation.
10.
11. Specifications
General characteristics
▫ Length: 50.5 ft (15.67 m)
▫ Wingspan: 35 ft (10.7 m)
▫ Height: 14.2 ft (4.33 m)
▫ Wing area: 460 ft² (42.7 m²)
▫ Empty weight: 29,098 lb (13,199 kg)
▫ Loaded weight: 49,540 lb (22,470 kg)
▫ Max. takeoff weight: 70,000 lb (31,800 kg)
▫ Internal fuel capacity: 18,498 lb (8,382 kg)
Performance
▫ Maximum speed: Mach 1.6+ (1,200 mph, 1,930 km/h) (tested to Mach 1.61)
▫ Cruise speed: Mach 1.2 for 9.8 min
▫ Range: 1,200 nmi (2,220 km) on internal fuel
▫ Combat radius: 613 nmi (1,135 km) on internal fuel
▫ Wing loading: 107.7 lb/ft² (526 kg/m²; 745 kg/m² max loaded)
