U.S. Air Force's newest fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II was declared ‘combat ready’ by Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the comm...
U.S. Air Force's newest fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II was declared ‘combat ready’ by Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command.
Carlisle lauded the aircraft’s performance, noting that the aircraft had met all key criteria for reaching initial operational capability.
The 34th Fighter Squadron of the 388th Fighter Wing, based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the service’s first operational F-35A squadron, having met all the established criteria for Initial Operational Capability including a successful June deployment to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and a series of eight-aircraft sorties held in mid-July.
The squadron is initially operational with 12-24 aircraft with limited capabilities including conducting basic close air support, interdiction, and limited suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses in a contested environment.
The IOC aircraft have the latest Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) software that provides the ability to plan, maintain, and sustain the aircraft’s systems. When version 2.0.2 is delivered it will increase efficiency and decrease workload but it will not increase combat capability.
The aircraft has a wingspan of 35 feet (10.7 m) and a length of 51 feet (15.7 m).
The single seat F-35 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine rated at 43,000 pounds thrust.
With a maximum take off weight of 70,000 pounds, the F-35 has a fuel capacity of 18,500 pounds enabling a range of more than 1350 miles.
Equipped with two internal weapon carriage bay and six external under wing hardpoints, the F-35A can carry a 18,000 pound (8100 kg) weapon payload including
F-35 is manufactured in three versions: a conventional-takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) variant for the U.S. Air Force, an aircraft-carrier version (CV) for the U.S. Navy, and a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
The F-35B achieved IOC in July 2015.
Carlisle lauded the aircraft’s performance, noting that the aircraft had met all key criteria for reaching initial operational capability.
The 34th Fighter Squadron of the 388th Fighter Wing, based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the service’s first operational F-35A squadron, having met all the established criteria for Initial Operational Capability including a successful June deployment to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and a series of eight-aircraft sorties held in mid-July.
The squadron is initially operational with 12-24 aircraft with limited capabilities including conducting basic close air support, interdiction, and limited suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses in a contested environment.
The IOC aircraft have the latest Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) software that provides the ability to plan, maintain, and sustain the aircraft’s systems. When version 2.0.2 is delivered it will increase efficiency and decrease workload but it will not increase combat capability.
The aircraft has a wingspan of 35 feet (10.7 m) and a length of 51 feet (15.7 m).
With a maximum take off weight of 70,000 pounds, the F-35 has a fuel capacity of 18,500 pounds enabling a range of more than 1350 miles.
Equipped with two internal weapon carriage bay and six external under wing hardpoints, the F-35A can carry a 18,000 pound (8100 kg) weapon payload including
F-35 is manufactured in three versions: a conventional-takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) variant for the U.S. Air Force, an aircraft-carrier version (CV) for the U.S. Navy, and a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
The F-35B achieved IOC in July 2015.
