The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II is a stealth multirole fighter aircraft that can take off and land vertically using a powerful tilting engine (VTOL/VSTOL). It has advantages over other aircraft in that it can operate from aircraft carriers and remote locations without runways. The United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and others are procuring the F-35B to replace aging Harrier and Hornet aircraft. The F-35B is currently in production and initial testing.

1. Lockheed Martin F35B Lightning II

3. Why is this Aircraft different to others?
• The F-35B can take off and land vertically (VTOL)/(VSTOL)
• It has the most powerful engine ever created installed
• The engine moves to toggle between vertical flight and horizontal flight
• Uses stealth technology to minimise radar signature
• Is the worlds only 5th Generation
International Multi-role Fighter.

4. What is the advantage of Vertical Flight
• Vertical flight allows the aircraft to land on aircraft carriers very easily
• Vertical flight allows the aircraft to land in places without a runway.
• Vertical flight allows more manoeuvrability when the aircraft comes
to land
• The planes will be able to take off quicker on aircraft carriers to due
no cable will have to be attached to the plane for catapult
• More aircraft able to take off at once due to no runway is required

5. Who is getting the aircraft?
• The United States plan to purchase 340 F-35Bs, to replace current
inventories of both the F/A-18 Hornet (A, B, C and D-models), and the
AV-8B Harrier II
• The US Marines plan to use the F-35B
• The USAF had considered replacing the A-10 with the F-35B, but will
not do so due to the F-35B inability to generate enough sorties.
• The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy plan for the F-35B is to replace
the Harrier GR9s, which were retired in 2010
• The Italian Navy is preparing Grottaglie Air Station for future
operations with the F-35B. The Italian Navy is to receive 22 F-35Bs

6. Info
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Main Role:
Current Status:
Cost:
Engines:
Thrust:
Max speed:
Length:
Max altitude:
Span:
Aircrew:
Release:
To complete first guided weapon delivery against ground targets
In initial production and testing, used for training by U.S.
£121,928,250 ($196.5 million) for flyaway cost
Pratt & Whitney F-135-600
38000lbs
1.6Mach
15.6m
50,000ft
10.7m
1
2018