F-35 Lightning II Specs, Variants, Cost and Operators

The F-35 Lightning II is a single-engine, single-seat stealth multirole fighter built by Lockheed Martin in three variants: the F-35A for conventional runways, the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, and the F-35C for aircraft carriers. It is the most produced Western fifth-generation fighter, with about 1,345 aircraft built as of early August 2026.

Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025 and 51 more in the first half of 2026, according to the company’s reporting. The aircraft flies with the United States and a growing list of allies, and the latest production contract for Lots 18 and 19 covers 296 jets worth about $24.3 billion.

What Is the F-35 Lightning II?

The F-35 came out of the Joint Strike Fighter programme. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, Pratt & Whitney builds the F135 engine, and Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems are major airframe partners. The first F-35A flew on 15 December 2006.

What Are the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C?

All three variants share the same sensors and mission systems, but they differ in structure and in how they take off and land. The B has a lift fan behind the cockpit and a swivelling nozzle, which costs it fuel and range. The C has a larger wing and folding wingtips for carrier work.

What Engine, Sensors and Weapons Does the F-35 Carry?

The F135 produces about 28,000 lbf dry and 43,000 lbf with afterburner in the A and C versions. The F-35B’s F135-PW-600 makes about 27,000 lbf dry and 41,000 lbf with afterburner, and gives 40,650 lbf of hover thrust through the lift system. An Engine Core Upgrade selected by the US Air Force in 2023 is targeted for fielding around 2029.

The main sensor is the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned radar, credited with track-while-scan at ranges beyond 80 nautical miles. Six infrared cameras of the Distributed Aperture System give 360-degree coverage, and an Electro-Optical Targeting System sits under the nose. Pilots use a helmet-mounted display in place of a conventional head-up display.

Two internal bays, each with two stations, keep the aircraft stealthy; a non-stealth configuration adds up to six external stations. Loads include AMRAAM missiles and precision bombs. The Pentagon recently signed a production agreement for the AIM-260 missile, and Lockheed’s JASSM and LRASM deal covers stand-off weapons the jet can carry.

How Much Does an F-35 Cost?

Flyaway cost is the price of the airframe as delivered, and the numbers below are averages reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine. They include the engine and radar, which the government buys and hands to Lockheed as furnished equipment. Lifetime cost is far larger: the programme estimate through 2088 was about $2.1 trillion in 2024, roughly half of it inflation, according to Wikipedia.

Lots 18 and 19 were finalised in September 2025. Lot 18 alone was announced at $12.5 billion for 148 aircraft: 40 F-35As for the Air Force, 20 F-35Bs and Cs for the Marines, 9 F-35Cs for the Navy, 15 jets for partner nations and 64 for foreign military sales customers, according to Janes. Lot 19 is another 148, and deliveries begin in 2026.

Which Countries Fly the F-35?

Lockheed Martin says the F-35 flies with America and 19 allied nations, a list that includes customers still waiting for their first jet. Aviationist reporting in January 2026 counted 16 services operating it, with Finland and Belgium as recent additions. Wikipedia’s operators list gives the fleet picture below; counts are as of that page and change with each delivery.

Recent milestones include Finland’s first F-35As landing at Rovaniemi and major assembly starting on Switzerland’s first F-35A.

Who Are the F-35 Programme Partners?

The programme was funded by the United States and eight international partners at different levels, which set how much industrial work each country received. Turkey was removed in July 2019 after buying the Russian S-400 air defence system.

What Are TR-3 and Block 4?

Technology Refresh 3 is a hardware upgrade with a new display, core processor and memory modules, plus better cooling to support added mission systems. It is the base for Block 4, the follow-on capability package. Problems with TR-3 halted deliveries for a period, and between 72 and 110 completed jets were reportedly stored before the Joint Program Office resumed acceptance in July 2025. Reporting in early 2026 said TR-3 jets were limited to training and not yet declared combat capable.

Block 4 was once expected to finish in 2026. As of September 2025 it had been truncated and delayed; changes not needing a new engine are expected by 2031 at the earliest and the rest deferred to the mid-2030s. In 2023 the Government Accountability Office put Block 4 cost growth from $10.6 billion to $16.5 billion. Congress has also pressed on readiness, as covered in this report on the F-35 funding warning.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the F-35. In its second-quarter 2026 results, published 23 July 2026, the company reported sales of $20.1 billion, a record backlog of $230 billion and higher F-35 production volume. See also its recent $724 million Aegis award for Japan.

F-35 FAQ

How many F-35s have been built?

About 1,345 as of 5 August 2026 per Wikipedia. Lockheed’s F-35 site cites more than 1,355 without a date, and 1,293 had been delivered by the end of 2025.

How much does an F-35 cost?

Lots 18-19 average flyaway costs are $92.0 million (A), $121.4 million (B) and $110.8 million (C), per Air & Space Forces Magazine.

What is the top speed of the F-35?

Mach 1.6 with a full internal payload.

What engine does the F-35 use?

A single Pratt & Whitney F135, rated at about 43,000 lbf with afterburner in the A and C variants.

Which countries fly the F-35?

Lockheed lists the United States and 19 allied nations including the UK, Italy, Japan, Australia, Norway, Israel, South Korea and Poland. Some are still awaiting deliveries.

What is the difference between the F-35A, B and C?

The A takes off from runways, the B from short strips and vertically, and the C from aircraft carriers with a larger wing.

What are Lots 18 and 19?

A combined order of 296 aircraft worth about $24.3 billion, finalised in September 2025, with deliveries starting in 2026.

Is TR-3 combat capable?

Not as of early 2026 reporting, which said TR-3 jets were limited to training.