The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions. It is also able to provide electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Lockheed Martin is the prime F-35 contractor, with principal partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

The aircraft has three main variants. The F-35A is for conventional takeoffs and landings where the full runway is available. The F-35B is for short takeoff and vertical landings like helicopters. While F-35C is to land and take off from aircraft carriers. All three variants have Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 afterburning turbofan, 28 000 lbf thrust dry, 43 000 lbf with afterburner.

Some Interesting Facts About The F-35 Lightning II:

• Made by tech-masters Rolls-Royce, the F-35’s LiftSystem is an innovative propulsion system that allows for the main engine exhaust to be redirected for direct vertical lift. Perfect for carrier deployment.
• The F-35 has a tiny radar cross-section (the size of a golf ball) thanks to heavy implementation of fibre-mat in its construction, as well as stealth-friendly chines for vortex lift as used on the SR-71 Blackbird.
• A panoramic glass cockpit display (PCD) is standard on the F-35, allowing unparalleled visibility. Speech-recognition systems also offer audio control of parts of the pilot interface.