F-35 Lightning II: supersonic fighter inheriting the legacy of the P-38 and revolutionizing military aviation (Instagram @lockheedmartin)
The F-35 Lightning II is one of the most advanced supersonic fighters of today, used by the U.S. Air Force and military forces from over fifteen countries.
Developed by Lockheed Martin over nearly fifteen years, the first model was completed in 2006, and production continues to this day. The project is known for its high cost, exceeding $400 billion, and for facing delays due to technical and financial challenges.
With a speed of up to 1,975 km/h, the aircraft features stealth technology, long-range missiles, and electronic sensors that assist the pilot in detecting threats and projecting data onto the helmet for better combat performance.
The name “Lightning II” was chosen by General T. Michael Moseley in a rare case of reusing a name in the U.S. Air Force, a practice more common in military vessels. The name was given to the fighter both for its speed and destructive precision, comparable to lightning, and as a tribute to the P-38 Lightning, a World War II fighter manufactured by the same company. The P-38 was widely used in the Pacific and became known for strategic missions, including shooting down the plane of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, one of the architects of the Pearl Harbor attack.
The F-35 Lightning II first saw combat in 2018, when Israel used it to attack targets in the Middle East, and the U.S. employed it on a mission against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Currently, the aircraft comes in three variants — F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C — which differ in their takeoff and landing capabilities, as well as adaptations for cargo transport and specific technologies for each military operation.
Source: TecMundo | Photo: Instagram @lockheedmartin | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
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