How about the F-35
Role Stealth multirole fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
First flight 15 December 2006
Introduction 2016[1]–2018[2][3]
Status In initial production, in U.S. service as a training aircraft[4]
Produced 2006–present
Number built 63 [5]
Unit cost F-35A: US$122 million (flyaway cost, 2011)[6]
F-35B: US$150M (avg. cost, 2011)[7]
F-35C: US$139.5M (avg. cost, 2011)[7][8]
Note: Average costs excludes development cost[7]
F-35A weapons system unit cost is US$183.5M (FY 2011)[6]
Developed from Lockheed Martin X-35
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability.[9][10] The F-35 has three main models; one is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is a short take off and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.
The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. JSF development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006.
The United States intends to buy a total of 2,443 aircraft for an estimated US$323 billion, making it the most expensive defense program ever.[11] The United States Air Force (USAF) budget data in 2010, along with other sources, projects the F-35 to have a flyaway cost from US$89 million to US$200 million over the planned production of F-35s.[12][13][14] Cost estimates have risen to $382 billion for 2,443 aircraft, at an average of $156 million each. The rising program cost estimates have cast doubt on the actual number to be produced for the U.S. In January 2011, the F-35B variant was placed on "probation" for two years because of development problems. In February 2011, the Pentagon put a price of $207.6 million for each of the 32 aircraft to be acquired in FY2012, rising to $304.15 million ($9,732.8/32) if its share of RDT&E spending is included.[15][16]
Contents
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* 1 Development
o 1.1 JSF Program requirements and selection
o 1.2 Design phase
o 1.3 Program cost increases and further delays
o 1.4 Concerns over performance and safety
* 2 Design
o 2.1 Engines
o 2.2 Armament
o 2.3 Stealth and signatures
o 2.4 Cockpit
o 2.5 Sensors and avionics
o 2.6 Helmet-mounted display system
o 2.7 Next Generation Jammer
o 2.8 Maintenance
* 3 Operational history
o 3.1 Testing
o 3.2 Training
* 4 Procurement and international participation
* 5 Variants
o 5.1 F-35A
