The F-35 is widely considered to be the most advanced fifth-generation fighter jet in service.
The United Kingdom announced its intent to purchase a dozen F-35A fighter jets this week, simultaneously highlighting its commitment to NATO and bolstering its nuclear posture. British officials revealed this imminent acquisition ahead of the NATO summit held in The Hague. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will remark that “The UK’s commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the alliance’s contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure,” according to Downing Street, adding that “But we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come.” Like their Joint Strike Fighter brethren, the F-35A jets can still carry conventional bombs. However, this variant also possesses the option of being equipped with US-made nuclear ordnance. The UK’s procurement of F-35As is a big deal, considering Britain’s nuclear deterrence has relied exclusively on its Vanguard-class submarines for decades.
Introducing the Lightning II
The F-35 is widely considered to be the most advanced fifth-generation fighter jet in service across the globe today. However, the American-made platform is also the most expensive. Designed by Lockheed Martin, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) was initially conceptualized as a replacement series for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, and McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II platforms. The JSF effort is funded primarily by the US, with additional support from NATO allies including the UK, the Netherlands, and Norway.
When it comes to stealth, versatility, top speed, range, and electronic warfare, the Lightning II platform is arguably unmatched. Three F-35 variants have been introduced, all featuring their own specifications. The F-35A, also known as the “runway queen” of the series, is operated like a traditional fighter, requiring approximately 8,000 feet of standard runway to take off and land. Notably, this variant was the first to receive certification to be able to carry the B61-12 nuclear bomb. The F-35B, flown by the US Marine Corps, is the most mechanically complex iteration of the Joint Strike Fighter, possessing short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The carrier-operated F-35C variant features the largest fuel load and longest range of the platform. The UK currently flies the F-35B variant, which features short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities.
In terms of power, the F-35’s F-135-PW-100 engines provide 40,000 pounds of maximum propulsion. While a top speed of Mach 1.6 (times the speed of sound) is impressive, where the platform really shines is avionics and adaptability. Lightning II pilots are able to look directly through the aircraft to see real-time information via large touchscreens and a helmet-mounted display system incorporated into the fighter. The F-35 also features an AN/APG-81 system active electronically scanned array radar, a robust electronic countermeasures function. The F-35 is the priciest fifth-generation fighter on the market for good reason. However, due to its secure data link transmission, the ability for engineers to seamlessly incorporate new technologies as they come about down the line is actually a cost-saving measure.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: DVIDS.
