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Inside the Archive: F-35 Lightning II

The F-35A Lightning II is a jack of all trades and a master of them all. A swiss army knife aircraft that defines itself as a fighter but can take on almost any mission conceivable. It can – deep breaths – locate enemy forces or jam their radars to disrupt attacks; share detailed comms with air, ground, and sea assets; operate in stealth, even in unknown areas and fly at Mach 1.6, long-range, even with a full complement of weapons and fuel. In a nutshell, it’s the most technologically advanced piece of metal man has put in the air.

It comes in three variants: the F-35A – purchased by Australia – is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B is a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and the final F-35C is the carrier type (CV). Over the coming years, Australia will purchase 72 as part of its $17 billion AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B program to replace the ageing F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets that have been in service with the RAAF since 1985.

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Comments (3)

  • George

    says:

    There have been articles written that its not as good as the latest modifications of SU 35

  • Lew Keys

    says:

    I was at the Avalon Air Show when the first two flew in for welcome and review. How impressive they were! I won’t forget that day

  • Leif Arildsen

    says:

    Didn’t RAAF use F-104 Star Fighter. Inside not see a pic of that.
    And thF-100 Super Sabre

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