The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine multirole fighter built by Lockheed Martin as a fifth-generation aircraft to meet the needs of the USAAF, US Navy, US Army and US Marine Corps. The aircraft was originally designated X-35 JSF, but in 2006 it was changed to F-35 Lightning II. Despite the fact that the main recipient will be the US government, the project is also co-financed by other countries, especially Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands. The main contractors are the following companies: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The overriding goal of the JSF idea is to create a universal aircraft, manufactured for all types of armed forces, which will allow for far-reaching standardization of spare parts and a significant reduction in costs. Ultimately, three versions of the F-35 (A, B and C) are to be created, which will have more than three quarters of identical components. The main task of the F-35 of all versions is to attack land targets, fulfill the tasks of a combat aircraft, air combat and electronic warfare. It should be noted that the F-35 is created with low-intensity conflicts in mind, unlike its larger "relative" F-22. Which does not change the fact that thanks to the power unit used (Pratt-Whitney F135 engines), avionics and stealth properties, it is one of the most modern multi-role aircraft in the world. The first serial F-35 was created in February 2006. To date (2013), 63 aircraft of this type have been created. Technical data (version F-35A): Maximum speed: 1930 km/h, maximum ceiling 18288 m, maximum range: 2220 km, armament: fixed - one four-barrel General Dynamics GAU-22/A 25mm cannon, underslung - up to 8100 kg of payload.
