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F-35C Lightning II Fighter Jet

F-35C Lightning II Fighter Jet

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 5th
Maximum Speed Mach 1.6
No. of Engines 1
Radar Range 150+ miles

Defense Systems Full Specifications

General Information

Name	F-35C Lightning II
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Carrier-Based Stealth Multirole Fighter
Generation	5th Generation
Status	In Service
First Flight	June 6, 2010
Introduction / In Service Since	February 2019
Number Built	150+ (as of 2025)
Operators	U.S. Navy

Dimensions & Structure

Length	51.5 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan	43 ft (13.1 m)
Height	14.7 ft (4.48 m)
Wing Area	668 sq ft (62.1 m²)
Empty Weight	34,800 lb (15,785 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	70,000 lb (31,800 kg)
Internal Weapons Bay	2 bays
External Hardpoints	6

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph / 1,930 km/h)
Range	1,200 nmi (2,220 km)
Combat Radius	670 nmi (1,240 km)
Service Ceiling	50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Rate of Climb	45,000 ft/min
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	0.87
G Limits	+9

Powerplant

Engine Type	Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100
No. of Engines	1
Thrust (each)	43,000 lbf (191 kN)
Thrust Vectoring	No
Fuel Capacity	19,750 lb (8,960 kg)

Armament

Gun	GAU-22/A 25mm cannon (external pod)
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM
Bombs	JDAM, Paveway, SDB
Hardpoints	6 external, 2 internal
Payload Capacity	18,000 lb (8,160 kg)

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-81 AESA
Radar Range	150+ miles
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	AN/ASQ-239 Barracuda
Targeting System	Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS)
Helmet Display	HMDS Gen III
Navigation	GPS/INS
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Yes
Communication	MADL, Link 16, SATCOM

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	<0.005 m²
Stealth Features	Shaping, RAM coating
Infrared Signature Reduction	Yes
Sensor Fusion	Multi-sensor integration
Networking Capabilities	Joint all-domain operations

Variants

Special Export Versions

F-35I (Israel), F-35A (Japan), etc.

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Indo-Pacific and Atlantic deployments
Notable Operators	U.S. Navy
Combat Proven?	Yes
Mission Types	Strike, air superiority, ISR, SEAD

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	$117 million (FY2025)
Development Cost	$400+ billion (JSF Program)
Program Name	Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
Funding Countries	United States and allies

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Block 4 modernization (weapons, sensors)
Future Replacement	Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
Export Restrictions	ITAR-regulated
Notable Achievements	First stealth aircraft designed for carrier operations
Competitors	Su-57, J-35, Rafale M

PROS

Stealth optimized for maritime strike missions
Longest range of all F-35 variants
Advanced carrier launch and recovery systems
Comprehensive sensor fusion and data links
High survivability in contested environments

CONS

High procurement and maintenance costs
Complex logistics for carrier integration
Limited internal payload capacity
Dependence on advanced software updates
Requires specialized deck handling infrastructure

F-35C Lightning II Fighter Jet— America’s Carrier-Based Stealth Fighter

The F-35C Lightning II is the U.S. Navy’s first stealth multirole fighter designed specifically for aircraft carrier operations. Built by Lockheed Martin, this variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program combines stealth, supersonic performance, and unmatched situational awareness to secure U.S. maritime air dominance.

As the carrier variant (CV) of the F-35 family, the F-35C features larger wings, folding wingtips, and reinforced landing gear for catapult launches and arrested recoveries on U.S. Navy supercarriers. It provides naval aviators with advanced sensor fusion, AESA radar, and networked warfare capabilities, enabling the aircraft to operate seamlessly alongside surface fleets, submarines, and other assets.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the F-35C reaches speeds over Mach 1.6 with a combat radius exceeding 670 nautical miles, giving it the greatest range of all F-35 variants. Its AN/APG-81 radar, Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) offer 360° awareness and precision targeting.

Operational since 2019, the F-35C equips U.S. Navy carrier air wings and enhances fleet survivability through low observability and real-time data sharing. With its internal weapons bays preserving stealth and external pylons for extended missions, it can carry AIM-120 AMRAAMs, GBU-31 JDAMs, and more.

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F-35C Lightning II Price in US

The F-35C Lightning II has an estimated unit cost of $117 million, reflecting its carrier-hardened design, naval integration systems, and advanced stealth coatings optimized for maritime operations.

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