The F-35B is the first aircraft in history to combine stealth with short takeoff/vertical landing capability and supersonic speed. This distinction gives the F-35B the unique ability to operate from small ships, roads and austere bases. The F-35B deploys near front-line combat zones, dramatically shrinking the distance from base to target, increasing sortie rates and decreasing the need for logistics support.
On July 29, 2025, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced the deployment of its first American-made F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters to the southern region of the country starting August 7, 2025.
Variants
F-35A (CTOL): The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A is a multirole, supersonic, stealth fighter that has extraordinary acceleration and 9-g maneuverability and agility.
F-35B (STOVL) : The F-35B Short take-off and landing for US Marine Corps is the first aircraft in history to combine stealth with short takeoff/vertical landing capability and supersonic speed. This distinction gives the F-35B the unique ability to operate from small ships, roads and austere bases.
F-35C (CV) : For the first time in naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the carrier deck. The F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) sets a new standard in weapon systems integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that brings true multimission power projection capability from the sea.
Increasingly, modern security challenges require wider distribution of forces and capabilities across and within a range of scenarios. STOVL capability gives the F-35B the unique ability to operate from a variety of ships, roads and austere bases. The unmatched basing of the F-35B – ashore and afloat – provides more employment flexibility in any scenario.
Shaft-Driven LiftFan®
STOVL operation is made possible through the patented shaft-driven LiftFan propulsion system. This propulsion approach overcomes many of the temperature, velocity and power challenges of direct-lift systems.
Reconfigurable
The internal weapons bay is reconfigurable for all air-to-ground ordnance, all air-to-air ordnance or a blend of both. A missionized version of the 25 mm GAU-22A cannon is installed or removed as needed. When stealth is not required to execute a mission, the F-35B external pylons are loaded with ordnance, giving the aircraft a weapons payload of more than 15,000 pounds. Primary customers will be the U.S. Marine Corps, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Italian Navy.
AN/APG-81 AESA Radar, Electronic Systems AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) missile warning system, AN/ASQ-239 (Barracuda) electronic warfare system, Harris Corporation Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) communication system
Dimensions
Length: 15.6 m; Wingspan: 10.67 m; Height: 4.6 m a
Back menu
