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F-35B Lightning II Fighter Jet

F-35B Lightning II Fighter Jet

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 5th
Maximum Speed Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph)
No. of Engines 1 (Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600)
Radar Range 150+ miles

Full Specifications

General Information

Name	F-35B Lightning II
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Stealth Multirole Fighter (STOVL)
Generation	5th Generation
Status	In service
First Flight	June 11, 2008
Introduction / In Service Since	2015
Number Built	180+
Operators	U.S. Marine Corps, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Italy, Japan

Dimensions & Structure

Length	51.2 ft (15.6 m)
Wingspan	35 ft (10.7 m)
Height	14.3 ft (4.36 m)
Wing Area	460 sq ft (42.7 m²)
Empty Weight	32,300 lb (14,650 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	60,000 lb (27,216 kg)
Internal Weapons Bay	2 bays
External Hardpoints	6

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 1.6
Range	900 nm (1,670 km)
Combat Radius	450 nm (833 km)
Service Ceiling	50,000 ft
Rate of Climb	45,000 ft/min
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	0.87
G Limits	+9

Powerplant

Engine Type	Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600
No. of Engines	1
Thrust (each)	40,000 lbf (with afterburner)
Thrust Vectoring	Yes (3-bearing nozzle + lift fan)
Fuel Capacity	13,500 lb (6,123 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, GBU-12, SDB
Hardpoints	6 external + 2 internal
Payload Capacity	15,000 lb (6,800 kg)

Avionics & Systems

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

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	0.0015 m²
Stealth Features	Radar-absorbent materials, edge alignment
Infrared Signature Reduction	Yes
Sensor Fusion	Full 360° situational awareness
Networking Capabilities	Multi-domain data sharing

Variants

Special Export Versions

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

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Syria (USMC), Pacific deterrence missions
Notable Operators	USMC, RAF, Royal Navy
Combat Proven?	Yes
Mission Types	Strike, reconnaissance, air defense, EW

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	~$101 million (FY2024)
Development Cost	$400+ billion (JSF program)
Program Name	Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
Funding Countries	USA, UK, Italy, Japan, others

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Block 4 software, new weapons integration
Future Replacement	None (mid-century service life)
Export Restrictions	Yes (US approval required)
Notable Achievements	First operational stealth VTOL jet
Competitors	Su-57, J-35, J-20, FCAS

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

Technology 8 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Firepower 8 / 10
Range & Endurance 8 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

STOVL capability for operations from small decks or unprepared fields
Advanced stealth and reduced radar cross-section
Integrated sensor fusion and AI-assisted combat systems
Multirole flexibility for air, ground, and electronic warfare missions
Strong interoperability with U.S. and allied forces

CONS

Higher maintenance and operating cost compared to F-35A
Shorter range due to STOVL design trade-offs
Limited internal weapons bay space
Complex lift-fan system requires specialized logistics
Dependence on advanced software for full capability

F-35B Lightning II — The U.S. Marine Corps’ VTOL Stealth Fighter

The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II is the world’s first operational stealth multirole fighter with Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capability. Designed for the U.S. Marine Corps, the F-35B gives America’s expeditionary forces unmatched flexibility to operate from amphibious assault ships, austere bases, or aircraft carriers—making it the most versatile jet in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) family.

Built under a multinational program led by Lockheed Martin, the F-35B integrates stealth technology, advanced sensors, networked warfare systems, and supersonic performance into one platform. Its Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600 turbofan engine with a unique shaft-driven lift fan enables vertical takeoffs and landings, crucial for operations in confined or remote environments.

Capable of reaching Mach 1.6, the F-35B carries both internal and external weapons, including AIM-120 AMRAAMs, GBU-series bombs, and air-to-ground missiles. Its AN/APG-81 AESA radar, Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) provide full 360° situational awareness and target tracking.

Used by the U.S. Marine Corps, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and allied nations, the F-35B plays a critical role in next-generation air dominance—supporting missions from close air support to deep strike.

F-35B Lightning II Price in US

The F-35B Lightning II currently costs approximately $101 million per unit, reflecting its advanced STOVL engineering, stealth materials, and avionics.

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