Hobby Master HA4430 | F-35A Lightning II JSF L-001/19-5530, Royal Danish Air Force,  Luke Air Force Base, 2021

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:

On March 2021 the Royal Danish Air Force F-35A L-001/19-5530 c/n AP-01 fired its PW- F-135 engine for the first time. On March 8 the aircraft completed its maiden flight and was delivered to Luke Air Force base on April 7, 2021. Denmark ordered 27 F-35s with about 6 remaining at Luke Air Force base for training by the 308th FS “Emerald Knights”. The first Danish pilot completed a solo flight on January 14, 2022. The new aircraft will be based at Skrydstrup AB with the first aircraft scheduled to arrive in 2023.

Specifications Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Role – Multi-role stealth fighter
First Flight – December 16, 2006
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
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
F-35B 1 x 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon 2 x AIM-120C air-to-air missiles 2 x 1,000 lb GBU32 JDAM guided bombs
F-35C 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