The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC.

The carrier variant of the F-35 is the F-35C Lightning II. Lockheed Martin F-35C 168842 MSN CF-11 first flew in December 2013 and was delivered to the USN on March 27, 2014. In April it was assigned to the VFA-101 “The Grim Reapers” as NJ-104. In November 2016 168842 was re-assigned to VX-9 “The Vampires” coded XE-105 as part of the Joint Operational Test Team at Edwards AFB, California. The Edwards AFB unit has six F-35Cs along with 130 personnel that subject these aircraft to operational flight testing.

Specifications Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Role – Multi-role stealth fighter

First Flight – December 16, 2006

Crew

F-35C CV – 1

Compared to the F-35A, the F-35C carrier variant features larger wings with foldable wingtip sections, larger wing and tail control surfaces for improved low-speed control, stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier arrested landings, a twin-wheel nose gear, and a stronger tail hook for use with carrier arrestor cables. The larger wing area allows for decreased landing speed while increasing both range and payload

• Powerplant
• F-35C - 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner, 25,000 lbs without.
• Internal Fuel Capacity
• F-35C – 19,750 lbs (8,960 kg)
• Weights
• Empty
• F-35C – 34,800 lbs (15,800 kg)
• Maximum
• F-35C – 70,000 lbs (31,800 kg)
• Dimensions
• F-35C
• Length – 51.5 ft (15.7 m) Wingspan – 43 ft (13.1 m) Height – 14.7 ft (4.48 m)

Info:   F-35C Lightning II 168842/XE-105, VX-9 "Vampires", US Navy, 2018