The F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter jet designed to excel in air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. But what sets this Trillion Dollar titan apart from its predecessors? This fifth-generation multirole fighter jet program has been widely reported as the most expensive military weapons program in history, with estimated costs exceeding $1.7 trillion over its lifetime. The program has three variants: the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based). The F-35 Lightning II emerged from the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, consolidating various combat aircraft initiatives from the 1980s and 1990s. Its predecessors included the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ASTOVL program, aimed at developing a replacement for the Harrier jump jet, and the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) program, focused on advanced strike warfare concepts.
8 апр 2024
