NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter or JSF, is being developed for production primarily by Lockheed-Martin along with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
It was to be a low cost "jack of all trades" aircraft. A total of 2,443 aircraft would be used by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines in three variations of a base model to keep development costs down.
The F-35 is not being developed for air superiority, nor to evade radar as well as the F-22 Raptor does, nor to carry enough ordnance or fuel to successfully defend itself, or provide effective ground support.
The concept behind the aircraft was of one that should have been inexpensive to produce. The F-35 is intended to be use in a
world where conflicts like those currently being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are common. Furthermore, there should be no modern fighter aircraft to face from a major air power nor should there be be any ground fire or old technology L-band radar guided ground-to-air
defensive systems to fly against.
However, recently Russia has flown a stealth fifth generation fighter aircraft that they predict
will be deployed by 2016. It is being manufactured in India, and will be offered for export around the world. China is also developing such an aircraft.
Unlike thinking by the current U.S. administration, a great number of nations feel that air superiority aircraft are necessary, and have expressed an interest in purchasing the F-22 Raptor as opposed to the F-35. However production of that aircraft will soon end and it has not been offered for export.
A better designation for the F-35 Lightning II may be F/A (fighter/attack). When comparing it to other aircraft, it is probably most like a supersonic version of the recently retired F-117 with regard to its stealth capabilities and overall performance. However, that aircraft carried 5,000 lbs. of ordnance vs. 4,000 lbs. for the F-35 when flown under maximum stealth conditions. In comparison, the F/A-18 Hornet, flown by the U.S. Navy, carries 17,750 lbs. of ordnance.
The F-35 is being produced in three models: A conventional land based version for the USAF designated the model "A", a STOVL (short take-off vertical landing) version for the USMC, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy designated the model "B", and a carrier-based version for the U. S. Navy designated the model "C".
The F-35 Lightning II model "B" STOVL will be able to fly at supersonic speeds. The weight and size of the lift fan takes up room that would normally be used to carry weapons and fuel.
The model "C" is a version of the basic aircraft with modifications to adapt it to aircraft carrier operations. It is intended to be the U.S. Navy's first stealth aircraft.
Although it was originally intended that, as a cost savings measure, 80 percent of all parts would be the same on all three aircraft models, the U.S. GAO tells us that the models only have 30 percent of their parts in common.
The F-35 Lightning II has its share of critics, particularly regarding its lack of acceleration, low maximum speed, prominent radar signature for a stealth aircraft, lack of maneuverability due to a high wing loading, small internal payload, necessary when operating in stealth mode, and vulnerability when operating as a ground support aircraft.
The USAF answers by telling us that the F-35 is not designed for air superiority. They believe that it is superior as a multi-role aircraft. The aircraft achieves this through its sensor suite and advanced radar system. According to the USAF, these systems enable the aircraft to monitor air and ground threats simultaneously while well beyond the range of competing systems.
The USAF says the stealth capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II are optimized for head on attack. In addition to a minimal radar signature, the aircraft is also optimized for minimal infrared emissions. Overall, the Air Force states that the aircraft is "its most stealthy yet" when it comes to the evasion of threats from other aircraft or surface to air missiles.
The USAF points out that when the aircraft does not have to operate in a stealth mode, the amount of ordnance carried outside the aircraft will make it "a formidable adversary".
The USAF argues that maximum air speed is "a very small factor" when considering the overall performance of an aircraft. They tell us that the F-35 Lightning II exhibits a high degree of stability and can "nearly match the acceleration" of today's most modern fighters at sub sonic speeds, but is not able to react as quickly. At its maximum speed, we are told that maneuverability of the aircraft “can almost match” that of the Fighting Falcon.
The USAF intends to use the F-35 Lightning II at high altitudes to provide ground support. It will gather intelligence about battlefield conditions which will be sent in real time to ground troops. The aircraft will conduct these operations in stealth mode in order to avoid surface to air missiles.
If flying over enemy territory, up to eight of the aircraft would operate in support of each other. Each aircraft would be equipped for a specific duty, such as intelligence gathering, electronic counter measures, air to air defense, and ground attack. The USAF believes that the overall capabilities of the eight aircraft working together will make up for the F-35's lack of abilities operating separately.
Lockheed Martin estimates that production of F-35 Lightning II at their highly automated Fort Worth facility can reach about 230 aircraft a year. Aircraft have not been built in the United States in such large quantities as quickly since World War II.
In April of 2008 the Pentagon announced that the F-35 program will see expenses over budget of nearly $15 billion and development delays of 24 months. It was estimated that in order to put the program back on schedule, it would cost an additional $33.4 billion.
On October 10, 2008 the U.S.A.F. announced the results of a study showing that while taking off the F-35 has noise levels approximately nine db more than the F-15. To the human ear that will be perceived to be about double the noise.
When landing, due to its higher wing loading, the F-35 must keep more power on. The results is noise levels being around nineteen db higher than the F-15. That will be perceived to be about quadruple the noise of the F-15.
In a Sept. 16, 2009 announcement, Australian defense specialists stated that the “L” band
radar produced by Russia is capable of seeing through the type of
stealth technology employed on the F-35 Lightning II. This is because,
unlike the F-22 that has 360 degree stealth technology, the F-35 is
designed to have its major stealth protection when the aircraft is
viewed from the front.
The optomization of the F-35 stealth in a lesser amount of frequencies leaves the aircraft vulnerable to detection.
On Oct. 23, 2009 the Pentagon released the results of their latest study of the F-35 program. It concluded that virtually no improvements have been made to it since their last study. The program is still over cost and behind schedule. In response to the study, Lockheed Martin states that they are "on track" with the project and disagree with the conclusions of the study.
On Oct. 28, 2009 The Center for Defense Information released an article calling for applying the recently enacted
Weapons System Acquisition Act to the F-35 program, specifically the
“flying prior to purchasing” provision. They call for complete testing of the aircraft, rather than the seventeen percent currently accepted, before orders are placed for an additional five hundred F-35 aircraft.
The Center states that only after the aircraft is completely tested will its true costs be known.
The U.S. government responds by saying that, if they wait for the aircraft to be fully tested, its avionics would no longer be current before production would start.
The Center states that if, as predicted, the aircraft fails to fulfill its BVR combat expectations, it will have to revert to within visual range dog fighting. They call that possibility “a disaster.” Using Lockheed's own data, the F-35 will be overweight and underpowered compared to aircraft it will be facing.
They compare the F-35 to the Vietnam era F-105 in regard to its lack of maneuverability. However, unlike the 12,000 lbs. of ordnance that the F-105 could carry, the F-35 will be limited to 4,000 lbs. while flying in stealth mode.
In November of 2009 the Pentagon issued a request for proposal for a system to protect its carrier decks from the heat generated by the exhaust of the
F-35B STOVL version. Their experience with the V-22 Osprey shows its exhaust is buckling ship surfaces. It is anticipated that the exhaust from the F-35B will produce similar buckling.
On Jan. 6, 2010, Lockheed announced that there are no troubles with their F-35 program. Lockheed says that the F-35 development program is just 120 to 180 days
behind schedule. They pointed out that the latest estimate from the U.S. government is that expenses are only
anticipated to be $14 billion over budged. That's one billion dollars less than the last estimate. According to Lockheed, overall delay estimates have now been reduced by eleven months to just thirteen months.
On Jan. 7, 2010 Lockheed commenced flight testing of the F-35B STOVL aircraft.
On Jan. 11, 2010 the U.S. government announced that they are giving Lockheed US$2.8 billion, the equivalent of the cost of 122 aircraft scheduled to be produced over the next five years. Rather than the funds going towards the purchase of aircraft, they are to be used for the continuing testing and development of the F-35. The122 aircraft will still be purchased once production begins, but with additional funds. Their cost will be higher, reflecting the production delay. This amounts to a five year delay in aircraft production and a huge windfall for Lockheed.
On Jan. 19, 2010 it was reported that in 2009, F-35 aircraft were scheduled to fly 168 times for testing. Of those scheduled flights, only some 16 were accomplished. A total of 5,000 test flights were supposed to be completed by 2014. This has now been extended through Oct. 2015.
According to Lockheed, even though they are behind schedule in their testing, the testing thus far proves that the aircraft works overall. Only minimal issues were found during the 16 flights performed. Lockheed stated that after a total of thirteen prototype F-35's are completed, they anticipate doing some 500 additional test flights during 2010.
On Jan. 21, 2010 the Pentagon reconfirmed their intent to continue funding the F-35 program, stating their belief that the United States and its allies will purchase a total of some 3,000 of the aircraft.
On Feb. 1, 2010 the U.S. general in charge of the F-35 project was fired due to numerous program deficiencies. The U.S. government announced that they were not going to be giving Lockheed some US$614,000,000 in scheduled funds.
On Feb. 2, 2010 a fifth F-35 prototype was test flown for the first time. The aircraft is the "B" STOVL model.
In a Feb. 2, 2010 Washington D.C. hearing, when asked why he did not take action sooner regarding delays and cost overruns, U.S. defense secretary Gates stated that he "did not recall" the April 2008 Pentagon report of cost overruns and delays in the F-35 program.
In response to recent criticism, Lockheed stated that they are confident that the F-35 program can get “back on track.”
On Feb. 17, 2010 Ashton Carter, the United States Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics said that, “Officials are satisfied recent changes to the F-35 program will help keep it from going further awry.” He extolled Lockheed's cooperation and called it, "a great example of how the government
and the defense industry can work together in a practical way."
On Feb. 25, 2010 Lockheed announced that an additional F-35 model B is now ready for test flights. This will make the third aircraft in the B series to enter the test program.
On Feb. 25, 2010 the Pentagon released a memo stating, "The estimated costs of a competitive engine acquisition strategy are projected to be approximately equivalent to a sole-source scenario, or at the break-even point."
However, U.S. Defense Secretary Gates insists that he would ask U.S. President Obama to veto funds for a second engine source. Pentagon press secretary Morrell said a back up engine would be, “a colossal waste of money." We do not know if either official read the Pentagon report.
Armed Services Committee Chairman Skelton commented, “It appears that the department’s approach focuses on near-term costs to the exclusion of what the committee sees as the long-term benefits of this program.
I remain unconvinced that terminating the alternate engine program makes sense.”
On Feb. 25, 2010 the Pentagon's Ashton Carter, chief weapons procurer, issued a memorandum stating, “So far, the Pentagon's review of the F-35 discovered no fundamental technology and manufacturing problems.” He further stated that, "The (most recent) cost of the system’s development phase will increase by $2.8 billion.” Carter estimated that the F-35 program
will be delayed by 13 months and that full production will begin in November of 2015.
In a March 2, 2010 news conference, USAF spokesperson Michael Donley stated, “There are no alternatives to that in our system. Yes, you can build the 4.5 generation, enhanced capability F-15 kind of capability. But really, there are no good alternatives to the F-35 at this point. This is a program to which we are deeply committed.”
On March 10, 2010 the U.S. Navy released a document showing that the P&W engine for the aircraft is $4.8 billion over the originally anticipated price. The price has jumped an additional $600,000,000 since additional costs were first divulged by the House Armed Services Committee a year ago.
On March 11, 2009 Michael Sullivan, U.S. GAO analyst testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Lockheed Martin F-35 program is at a “substantial risk” due to delays in producing “the expected number of aircraft and required capabilities on time.” It “continues to struggle with increased costs and slowed progress.” These issues “were foreseeable.”
Sullivan further stated that when Lockheed was awarded the F-35 development program in 2001, its anticipated price for 2,443 aircraft was project to be US$231 billion. The latest estimate is now up to US$323 billion. The development schedule has been extended by 30 months, including the most recent thirteen month delay announced in February.
On March 11, 2010, in testimony before the U.S. Senate, the Pentagon's Ashton Carter said that the F-35 program had “experienced cost increases due to a weight-reduction initiative in 2006 for the STOVL version for the Marine Corps, delayed development schedule, increased labor and overhead rates, degradation of airframe commonality, reduced
production quantities, increases in commodity prices, particularly titanium, and major sub contractor cost growth.”
123 - 148 million
multi role attack
one
P&W F135
1 x 40,000 lbs.
1 x 18,000 lbs.
29,300 lbs.
70,000 lbs.
1- 25 mm
4,000 lbs. (stealth mode)
51' 6"
35' 0"
1,200 mph
30,000 fpm (est.)
60,000 feet
1,200 miles
12/15/2006
2016
Not a R C Airplane
F-35 Lightning II model B
Radio Control Airplane
The rc F-35 Lightning II from GPI Models
Radio Control Airplanes
Pictured above is a RC F-35 Lightning II from a kit by GPI Models. It has a 27.5" wing span. Recommended motors for the rc airplane are a Kontronics Fun 400-36 or Fun 400-28. GPI suggests using the Wemotec Mini Fan 480.
Nitro Planes sells a rc F-35 Lightning II. It is in the first picture below. We love how real it looks when silhouetted against the sky in the first picture below.
Pictured next below is the Parkjets RC F-35 Lightning II by Mr. Boogie. Parkjets.com has plans for the fantastic rc airplane. Wing span is 21". It is powered by an electric mini-fan and made out of foam. It is for experienced modelers only.
Shenzhen Lanxiang Models has a rc F-35 Lightning II RTF for sale. Its wingspan is 33 1/2" and length is 46 1/2". Included is a 2400 Kv motor that produces 46 oz. of thrust and a vectoring 70 mm EDF unit. The model has a total of 13 servos. In addition it comes with a eight
channel radio, and speed controller. Ready to fly weight is 47 oz.
There is a F-35 Lightning II rc airplane from Oakdale Aircraft. The rc airplane has a wing span of 30” and a length of 40”. You can power it with a Mini 480 EDF or .18 - .21 DF.
The third picture below is of the RCShop.eu RC F-35. It has a wing span of 32” and a length of 37.5”. Recommended power for the rc F-35 is a Fantex 6xx EDF.
Exceed RC has a rc F-35 Lightning II that comes ready to fly. Its wingspan is 24" and length is 33". Included is a 64 mm EDF unit and motor. Weight is around 20 oz.
Hobby-Lobby has a ARF rc F-35 Lightning II for sale. Its wingspan is 31", length is 47" and weight is about 2 lbs. 4 oz. Included is a motor with 70 mm EDF unit with a 360 degree rotating exhaust.
The last picture below is the RTF rc F-35 Lightning II from Amax toys.com. It comes ready to fly including a motor with 64 mm electric ducted fan. Wingspan is 23" and length is 27 1/2". Weight is only about 14 oz.
Lee RC Models has a rc F-35 Lightning II RTF for sale with a wingspan of 30" and a length of 43". Its included motor drives a 70 mm ducted fan. Weight is about 21 oz.
Blitz rc works has a ready to fly rc F-35 Lightning II. Its wingspan is 24" and length is 33". Its ducted fan has a diameter of 64 mm.
Please contact us if you know of any other F-35 Lightning II rc airplane you would like shown here.
F-35 Lightning II
