Fighter Aircraft
F-35B Lightning II
The F-35B Lightning II is a short take-off and vertical landing stealth fighter made by Lockheed Martin in the United States, in service since 2015. It is a fifth-generation aircraft and the only stealth STOVL fighter flying today.
United States|Lockheed MartinOverview
Lockheed Martin’s F-35B first flew on 11 June 2008 and made its first vertical landing on 18 March 2010. The US Marine Corps declared initial operational capability on 31 July 2015. A shaft-driven lift fan behind the cockpit, a swivelling nozzle on the F135-PW-600 engine and roll posts let it land vertically. Top speed is about Mach 1.6 and combat radius about 833 km. The lift fan displaces fuel, so internal fuel is lower than on the F-35A. Sensors include the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the distributed aperture system.
The F-35B flies with the US Marine Corps, the UK, Italy and Japan, with Singapore ordering 12. The UK has 48 ordered of up to 138 planned, Italy 15 and Japan 42, flown from carriers such as HMS Queen Elizabeth and the converted JS Izumo. Marines made its first combat strike on 27 September 2018 in Afghanistan. A unit price of about 109 million US dollars was negotiated for Lot 17 in 2024. More than 1,200 F-35s of all variants had been delivered by 2025.
Key Specifications
Variants
The F-35B is the short take-off and vertical landing version used by the Marines and several navies.
The F-35B Block 4 adds new weapons, sensors and upgraded software to the existing airframe.
The F-35B TR-3 refers to the Technology Refresh 3 hardware that supports Block 4 capabilities.
Operators
United States
United Kingdom
Italy
JapanFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the F-35B cost?
The F-35B costs about 109 million US dollars per aircraft in the Lot 17 deal negotiated in 2024. Prices have ranged from about 109 to 139 million dollars across lots, and flight hours cost around 40,000 dollars or more.
How fast is the F-35B?
The F-35B has a maximum speed of about Mach 1.6, or roughly 1,960 km/h. Its combat radius on internal fuel is about 833 km, shorter than the F-35A because the lift fan takes up fuel space.
Which countries use the F-35B?
The F-35B is operated by the US Marine Corps, the UK, Italy and Japan as of 2026. Singapore has ordered 12, while no Arab country operates the F-35B at present.
Is the F-35B stealth?
The F-35B is a fifth-generation stealth fighter, although external pylons raise its radar signature. It carries two AIM-120 missiles and two bombs internally, with up to six external stations when stealth is sacrificed.
F-35B vs F-35A: what is the difference?
The F-35B can take off in a short distance and land vertically, while the F-35A is a conventional take-off version. The B has less fuel, at 13,300 lb against 18,250 lb, and a lower payload because of its lift fan.
Can Türkiye buy the F-35B?
Türkiye cannot buy the F-35B, because it was removed from the F-35 programme in 2019 after buying the Russian S-400. The F-35B had been considered for the TCG Anadolu, and Türkiye is now pursuing its own KAAN fighter.
Latest News on F-35B Lightning II
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October 13, 2026Why Was Turkey Removed From the F-35 Program?
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