In Focus
Profile: F-35
0 comment
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 communications 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 take-off and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B is a short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and the final F-35C is the carrier type (CV). Over the coming years, Australia will acquire 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. The first F-35A was delivered in December 2018 and the finished fleet will be based at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal. So far, 48 have landed on Australian soil.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
Subscribe to Australian Aviation for unlimited access to exclusive content and past magazines.
Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazinesAccess to In Focus reports via our Australian Aviation appDIGITAL
Australian Aviation quarterly digital magazinesAccess to In Focus reports via our appAccess to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive contentDaily news updates via our email bulletinAlready a member?
Login here
