Aircraft & UAVs

F-35A Lightning II

Also known as
  • F-35A
  • Lightning II
  • Joint Strike Fighter CTOL
  • CTOL F-35

The F-35A Lightning II is the conventional takeoff and landing branch of the Joint Strike Fighter family, built for land-based air forces that need stealth strike, air-to-air, sensor-fusion, and suppression-of-enemy-air-defense missions. U.S. Air Force F-35As have directly documented combat use in Iraq against ISIS, in U.S. strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and in the June 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer strike package against Iranian nuclear sites.

F-35A Lightning II, Conventional takeoff and landing stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: F-35A flight (cropped).jpg

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Conventional takeoff and landing stealth multirole fighter
Service note
2010s-present
Designer
Lockheed Martin, with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major program partners
Designed
Joint Strike Fighter program selection in 2001; first F-35A flight in 2006
Produced
2000s-present
Developed from
Lockheed Martin X-35

Specifications

Crew
1
Role
Conventional takeoff and landing stealth multirole fighter
Powerplant
One Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 turbofan
Thrust
43,000 lb class
Length
51 ft / 15.7 m
Wingspan
35 ft / 10.7 m
Height
14 ft / 4.38 m
Maximum takeoff weight
70,000 lb class
Internal fuel
18,498 lb in U.S. Air Force fact sheet; RAAF lists 8,278 kg
Payload
18,000 lb / 8,160 kg class internal and external weapons load
Maximum speed
Mach 1.6, about 1,200 mph / 1,960 km/h
Range
More than 1,350 miles with internal fuel; RAAF lists 2,200 km
Combat radius
RAAF lists 1,093 km on internal fuel
Ceiling
Above 50,000 ft
Sensors
Integrated radar, Electro-Optical Targeting System, Distributed Aperture System, helmet-mounted display, and tactical data links
Primary armament examples
AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, GBU-31 JDAM, laser-guided bombs, and internal 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon
CTOL Variant Profile

The F-35A is the land-based conventional takeoff and landing model, optimized around a 9 g maneuvering envelope, internal fuel and weapons carriage, and boom-and-receptacle aerial refueling used by the U.S. Air Force and many allied air forces.

Variant role

CTOL stealth fighter for strike, counter-air, electronic-warfare, reconnaissance, and coalition networked operations.

Public combat record

Official sources document F-35A combat employment in Iraq, Yemen-related Houthi strikes, and the 2025 Iran strike package.

Sensor focus

Integrated radar, EOTS, DAS, helmet display, and tactical data links support both weapon employment and broader strike-package awareness.

Variants

The F-35A is the land-based conventional takeoff and landing variant; the catalog also separates STOVL, carrier, Israeli, and family/component pages where those records have their own sourcing.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
F-35 Lightning II, Fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35 Lightning IIParent aircraft family

The wider F-35 family includes the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, the F-35B STOVL aircraft, and the F-35C carrier aircraft.

Sources: About the F-35

F-35B Lightning II, STOVL stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35B Lightning IIShort takeoff and vertical landing branch

The F-35B is the STOVL branch designed for expeditionary and shipboard operations rather than the F-35A's land-based CTOL role.

Sources: About the F-35

F-35C Lightning II, Carrier-based stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35C Lightning IICarrier branch

The F-35C is the catapult-launched carrier branch, distinct from the smaller, lighter F-35A used by the U.S. Air Force and many allied air forces.

Sources: About the F-35

F-35I Adir, Israeli F-35A-derived stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35I AdirIsraeli F-35A-derived configuration

The F-35I Adir is Israel's locally designated F-35A-derived service configuration with Israeli integration context covered on its own page.

Sources: F-35A Lightning II Fact Sheet

Air-To-Air Missiles

Australian and U.S. Air Force sources describe the F-35A as a multirole aircraft with internal and external weapons carriage; RAAF public specifications list the main air-to-air missile families carried by the aircraft.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AIM-120 AMRAAM, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-120 AMRAAMBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile

The Royal Australian Air Force lists AIM-120 AMRAAM among F-35A weapons.

Sources: RAAF F-35A Lightning II

AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-9X Sidewinder missileShort-range air-to-air missile

The Royal Australian Air Force lists AIM-9X Sidewinder among F-35A weapons.

Sources: RAAF F-35A Lightning II

Guided Bombs

The F-35A can carry mission-dependent internal and external munitions; public combat and operator sources identify JDAM-class guided bombs in F-35A use or carriage.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, GPS/INS guidance tail kit for free-fall bombs, MunitionsJoint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kitGPS-guided bomb kit

The U.S. Air Force said the first F-35A combat employment used a Joint Direct Attack Munition against a Daesh tunnel network and weapons cache in Iraq.

Sources: U.S. Air Force F-35As conduct first combat employment

GBU-31 JDAM (Mk 84 / BLU-109), 2,000-pound GPS/INS-guided bomb configuration, MunitionsGBU-31 JDAM (Mk 84 / BLU-109)2,000-pound JDAM-family guided bomb

RAAF public specifications list GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs among F-35A weapons.

Sources: RAAF F-35A Lightning II

Integrated Sensors

The F-35A's mission system depends on embedded sensors rather than external targeting pods for core targeting and awareness functions.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS), Internally mounted electro-optical targeting sensor subsystem, Support EquipmentF-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS)Embedded electro-optical targeting system

The U.S. Air Force fact sheet identifies the internally mounted Electro-Optical Targeting System as part of the F-35 sensor package for precision targeting and long-range detection.

Sources: F-35A Lightning II Fact Sheet

Timeline

F-35A Lightning II Key Events

  1. Lockheed Martin team selected for JSF

    The U.S. Air Force fact sheet identifies the 2001 Joint Strike Fighter decision as the point when the Lockheed Martin team moved into system development and demonstration.

    Sources: F-35A Lightning II Fact Sheet

  2. Australia accepts first F-35A

    The Royal Australian Air Force says Australia's first F-35A entered Australian service in 2018, with No. 3 Squadron operational in 2021.

    Sources: RAAF F-35A Lightning II

  3. First F-35A combat employment

    Two U.S. Air Force F-35As struck a Daesh tunnel network and weapons cache in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve.

    Sources: U.S. Air Force F-35As conduct first combat employment

  4. F-35A combat missions over Yemen

    The 388th Fighter Wing reported that 34th Fighter Squadron F-35As flew combat missions against Houthi targets during Operation Rough Rider.

    Sources: Hill Airmen carry out historic F-35 deployment to CENTCOM

  5. F-35As lead Midnight Hammer escort and SEAD

    388th Fighter Wing F-35As helped open the route into Iran for B-2 bombers, suppressing air-defense threats and protecting the exit from Iranian airspace.

    Sources: 388th FW Pilots, F-35s Paved the Way for Midnight Hammer Strike, Hill Airmen carry out historic F-35 deployment to CENTCOM

Media

F-35A Lightning II Images

F-35A Lightning II, Conventional takeoff and landing stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: F-35A Lightning II at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.jpg
F-35A Lightning II, Conventional takeoff and landing stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: F-35A Lightning II flies above the Mojave Desert.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAM, Land-based close-in weapon system, Air DefenseAir DefenseCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAMLand-based close-in weapon systemCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system (C-RAM), also known as the Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System, is a U.S. close-in air-defense and force-protection system derived from the Navy Phalanx gun mount. Army and CJTF-OIR sources document LPWS/C-RAM use protecting bases and high-value sites in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, while the shipboard Phalanx lineage also appears in Red Sea close-in missile defense.
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64 Apache is a U.S. twin-engine attack helicopter family designed by Hughes Helicopters and continued through McDonnell Douglas and Boeing production. Built around a two-person crew, nose-mounted sensors, a 30 mm chain gun, rockets, and guided missiles, it has direct source-backed combat use from Desert Storm and Iraq to Afghanistan, Sinai, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, anti-ISIS operations, and recent U.S. operations against Iran.
BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, Ship- and submarine-launched land-attack cruise missile, MunitionsMunitionsBGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack MissileShip- and submarine-launched land-attack cruise missileThe BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, often abbreviated TLAM, is a U.S. long-range subsonic cruise missile used for deep precision strikes from naval surface ships and submarines, with newer variants also adding maritime-strike and warhead modernization paths. Documented combat use spans the 1991 Gulf War through Libya, Syria, Yemen, the Red Sea Crisis, Operation Inherent Resolve, and U.S. strikes on Iran.

Sources

F-35A Lightning II Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports F-35A identity, CTOL role, prime contractor, development background, sensor suite, dimensions, thrust, range, payload, and general specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-03RAAF F-35A Lightning IIPublisher: Royal Australian Air Force | Note: Supports allied F-35A operator context, specifications, weapons examples, and public capability summary. | Accessed: 2026-07-03About the F-35Publisher: Lockheed Martin F-35 | Note: Supports F-35 family, stealth, sensor-fusion, global operator, production, and manufacturer background. | Accessed: 2026-07-03U.S. Air Force F-35As conduct first combat employmentPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use: two U.S. Air Force F-35As struck a Daesh tunnel network and weapons cache at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, during Operation Inherent Resolve. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Hill Airmen carry out historic F-35 deployment to CENTCOMPublisher: 388th Fighter Wing | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct conflict use by F-35As against Houthi targets during Operation Rough Rider and 2020 United States-Iran Conflict direct use by F-35s in the Operation Midnight Hammer strike package. | Accessed: 2026-07-03388th FW Pilots, F-35s Paved the Way for Midnight Hammer StrikePublisher: Lockheed Martin F-35 | Note: Supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict direct conflict use: 388th Fighter Wing F-35A aircraft escorted B-2 bombers, suppressed air defenses, attacked surface-to-air missile sites, and guarded the exit during Operation Midnight Hammer. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-35A flight (cropped).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-35A Lightning II at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-35A Lightning II flies above the Mojave Desert.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-03