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Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Photo: Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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LockheedMartinF-35CLightningII

Multirole Fighters · United States · 2006
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LockheedMartinF-35CLightningII

Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Photo: Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Versatility
85
Air-to-Air Capability
75
Air-to-Ground Capability
90
Avionics
95
Range & Payload
70
Speed & Agility
65
Survivability
85
Reliability
60
Technology
98
Cost-Effectiveness
40
Origin United States
CategoryMultirole Fighters
EraPost-Cold War
In service2006
Operators1 countries
Quantity1,325
Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
79
Multirole Fighters MASS Rating
13/25
Post-Cold War
33/88
All-Time
Multirole Fighters · 10 axes scored
Versatility
85
Air-to-Air Capability
75
Air-to-Ground Capability
90
Avionics
95
Range & Payload
70
Speed & Agility
65
Survivability
85
Reliability
60
Technology
98
Cost-Effectiveness
40
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the multirole fighters category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Production
2006–
Quantity
1,325
Unit Price (current)
$124.4M↗ 24% inflation · 2020→2025
Original Price
$100.0M (2020)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MULTIROLE FIGHTERS · POST-COLD WAR
13
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
35
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$124.4M
Original: $100.0M (2020)
Inflation: +%24
79
multirole fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the multirole fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight2010
  • Service Entry Year2019
  • Crew1
  • Primary Rolemultirole strike fighter
  • Generation5th
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeTurbofan
  • Engine ModelPratt & Whitney F135
  • Number of Engines1
  • Thrust (dry, each)64
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)125
  • Thrust-to-Weight1.1
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel8,200 kg
▣Performance9MOD.9
  • Top Speed1,960 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)1.6 Mach
  • Cruise Speed900 km/h
  • Stall Speed150 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,240 m
  • Ferry Range2,200 km
  • Combat Radius1,080 km
  • Rate of Climb230 m/s
  • G-Limit7.5
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length18.7 m
  • Wingspan13.1 m
  • Height4.3 m
  • Wing Area42.7
  • Empty Weight13,500 kg
  • Loaded Weight22,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight31,750 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built1,325
  • Operators1
  • Variants3
▲Service History2MOD.2
  • Production Start2006
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 2006Production started
  2. 2012First deployment: Arab Winter
20
years in service
1,325
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35C LIGHTNING II · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE13terms
Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar: a radar system using a phased array antenna to steer and scan electronically.
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Aircraft design and technology features that reduce detection by radar, infrared, acoustic, and other sensors through shaping, materials, and emissions control.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Multirole Fighters entry →