F-35 Lightning II: Supersonic Fighter from Lockheed Martin

A visual guide to the F-35 Lightning II, which is expected to remain in service with militaries all over the world through 2070.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a versatile modern jet fighter. It is intended to replace numerous aircraft types including the F-16, A-10, F/A-18, and the Harrier Jump Jet in the air forces and navies of the United States and its allies.

The plane entered military service in 2015 and first saw combat in 2018. It is expected to remain in service with militaries all over the world through 2070. Lockheed Martin has already delivered more than a thousand units of the type.

This is a pictorial guide to the F-35 and its variants. Readers will see the plane both in appearance and technical detail. Both US and foreign examples are featured. A concise history of the plane in development and operation is included.

Ken Neubeck is a reliability engineer who worked on the A-10 production program. He has authored numerous books on aircraft and amateur radio technology. He served as president of the Long Island Republic Airport Historical Society, which preserves aspects of the history of Long Island aviation.