Summary

  • The F-35 Lightning II has cutting-edge technology for superior information gathering, defense, and stealth capabilities.
  • Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) accounts for two-thirds of the F-35’s lifecycle cost, streamlining maintenance and operations.
  • F-35 faces issues with Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RMA) performance, struggling to meet expected operational levels.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning I is known for its multirole stealth capabilities required for air superiority and strike missions. The aircraft features electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the F-35 descends from the Lockheed Martin X-35 concept demonstrator aircraft. The F-35 program includes three different variants:

  • F35A: Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version
  • F35B: Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL), and
  • F35C: Carrier-based version (CV/CATOBAR)
F-35 Factory - 16x9
Photo: Lockheed Martin | Flickr

This article focuses on notable strengths and weaknesses of one of the most advanced combat aircraft.

F-35A
CTOL
F-35B
STOVL
F-35C
CV (Carrier Variant)
Length 51.4 ft (15.7 m) 51.2 ft (15.6 m) 51.5 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan 35 ft (10.7 m) 35 ft (10.7 m) 43 ft (13.1 m)
Height 14.4 ft (4.39 m) 14.3 ft (4.36 m) 14.7 ft (4.48 m)
Wing Area 460 sq ft (42.74 m2) 460 sq ft (42.74 m2) 668 sq ft (62.06 m2)
Empty weight 28,999 lb (13,154 kg) 32,472 lb (14,729 kg) 34,581 lb (15,686 kg)
Internal fuel 18,250 lb (8,278 kg) 13,500 lb (6,123 kg) 19,750 lb (8,958 kg)
Weapons payload 18,000 lb (8,160 kg) 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) 18,000 lb (8,160 kg)
Max takeoff weight 70,000 lb (31,800 kg) class 60,000 lb (27,200 kg) class 70,000 lb (31,800 kg) class
Range >1,200 NM (2,200 km) >900 NM (1,700 km) >1,200 NM (2,200 km)
Combat radius on
internal fuel
669 NM (1,239 km) 505 NM (935 km) 670 NM (1,241 km)
Thrust/weight
• full fuel:
• 50% fuel:
0.87
1.07
0.90
1.04
0.75
0.91
g limit +9.0 +7.0 +7.5

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The F-35 program: Strengths

The F-35 Lightning II is packed with state-of-the-art technologies that enable it to gather and distribute information efficiently while having extraordinary stealth and defense capabilities. Designed to replace the aging F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolts, the F-35 combines stealth, sensor fusion, and unprecedented situational awareness. According to the Air Force,

“The F-35A’s advanced sensor package is designed to gather, fuse and distribute more information than any fighter in history, giving operators a decisive advantage over all adversaries. Its processing power, open architecture, sophisticated sensors, information fusion and flexible communication links make the F-35 an indispensable tool in future homeland defense, Joint and Coalition irregular warfare and major combat operations.”

The F-35 system is designed with the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), accounting for two-thirds of the aircraft’s lifecycle cost. The system integrates operational parameters, configuration, and operational performance of the F-35 platform. Predictive diagnosis, scheduled upgrades, and maintenance are planned depending on serviceability and operational performance. The system also integrates training, mission planning, and service support for the F-35, allowing continuous mission and performance monitoring of the aircraft.

Another major strength is the F-35’s ability to share data securely and efficiently among its flight members and other airborne and ground platforms. The aircraft enables common communication capability among partner nations to foster coalition interoperability. Powered by a single P&W F135 turbofan engine, the aircraft has a cruise speed of approximately Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph).

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The F-35 program: Weaknesses

The F-35 fighters have seen a fair share of issues in recent years, mainly due to their Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RMA) performance. In 2023, the United States Air Force (USAF) F-35s were available for operational use only 51% of the time. While the USAF aimed to hit a minimum 65% operational level at all times, the mission capability rate vexes the ongoing problems.

According to the annual report by the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation,

“The operational suitability of the F-35 fleet remains below service expectations and requirements,”

SF_VMFAT-502 F-35B in a Hover in the Miramar Blue Yonder_JAK

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

The F-35 availability

The aircraft availability has been a pressing issue for the USAF, US Navy, and the Marine Corps, which has taken the delivery of 628 F-35s combined. Availability is defined as the aircraft’s readiness for at least one of the many missions it is tasked to perform. The recent evaluation report states that,

“In [fiscal year 2023], aircraft availability was slightly below that in FY’22, after declining for most of FY’21,”

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The F-35’s competitive advantage—a highly digital and computer-intensive fighter jet—becomes its weakness in some aspects. Older jets have relatively greater availability and overall RMA performance due to the lack of reliability of digital technologies. The current global situation around the supply chain and the availability of spare parts also add to the problem. The significant shortage of fully functional F-135 engines also results in the lack of availability of the F-35 aircraft.

What are your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the F-35 Lightning II? Share your views in the comments section.

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