Hobby Master HA4601 | Lockheed F-35B Lightning II ZM137, Royal Air Force, 2013

General Background:

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 Aircraft:

April 1, 2013 Lockheed F-35B line number BK-03 made its first flight. This is the third of 48
F-35Bs requested by Britain and was given serial ZM-137. The serial numbers assigned to the
F-35B Lightning II are the same issued to the Lightning F.1 in 1959 and 1960. After initial flight
tests for Lockheed and all involved parties BK-03 will transfer to Eglin AFB, Florida for pilot and
maintenance training. After Florida the aircraft and personnel will go to Edwards AFB, California
for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.

Specifications Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Role – Multi-role stealth fighter

First Flight – December 16, 2006

Crew
F-35A CTOL – 1
F-35B STOVL – 1
F-35C CV – 1

Powerplant
F-35A – 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.
F-35B – 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600, 38,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,26,000 lbs without
and 40,500 lbs vertical.
F-35C - 1 x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100, 40,000 lbs thrust with afterburner,25,000 lbs without.

Internal Fuel Capacity
F-35A - 18,250 lbs  (8,278 kg)
F-35B – 13,500 lbs  (6,125 kg)
F-35C – 19,750 lbs  (8,960 kg)

Weights
Empty
F-35A – 29,300 lbs  (13,000 kg)
F-35B – 32,300 lbs  (14,700 kg)
F-35C – 34,800 lbs  (15,800 kg)
Maximum
F-35A – 70,000 lbs  (31,800 kg)
F-35B – 60,000lbs  (27,300 kg)
F-35C – 70,000 lbs  (31,800 kg)

Dimensions
F-35A
Length – 51.4 ft  (15.7 m)
Wingspan – 35 ft  (10.7 m)
Height – 14.4 ft  (4.38 m)
F-35B
Length – 51.2 ft  (15.6 m)
Wingspan – 35 ft  (10.7 m)
Height – 14.3 ft  (4.36 m)
F-35C
Length – 51.5 ft  (15.7 m)
Wingspan – 43 ft  (13.1 m)
Height – 14.7 ft  (4.48 m)

Performance
Speed with full internal weapons load
F-35A – Mach 1.6
F-35B – Mach 1.6
F-35C – Mach 1.6

Combat Radius with internal fuel
F-35A – 590 nm  (1,093 km)
F-35B – 450 nm  (833 km)
F-35C – 600 nm  (1,100 km)

Range with internal fuel
F-35A – 1,200 nm  (2,200 km)
F-35B – 900 nm  (1,667 km)
F-35C – 1,200 nm  (2,200 km)


Weapons (Standard Internal)
F-35A
1 x 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs
Weapons Payload – 18,000 lbs  (8,160 kg)
F-35B
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 1,000 lb GBU32 JDAM guided bombs
F-35C
2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
2 x 2,000 pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs