A fifth generation single seat and single engine designed to replace the U.S Military’s F-16, A-10, and AV-8B tactical fighter aircraft. F-35 is intended to be the world’s premier strike aircraft through 2040 with close-and-long range air-to-air capability second only to that of the F-22 Raptor.
The F-35 has three different models: conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), variant the second is short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant and the third is carrier-based (CV) variant.
Increased reliability and ease of maintenance made the F-35 in league with the worlds only other 5th generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor in defining the ultimate in fighter performance.
US Air Force recently announced the candidates for the F-35 base, some of these are Jacksonville International Airport and Burlington International Airport Guard. The bases were chosen based on agreed criteria which are: airspace, flight trainings ranges, weather, runways, support facilities, taxi ramps and environmental concerns. Formal environmental impact analysis process and site assessment will soon begin.
Expect the preferred location to be announced on late 2010 and the final location in early 2010.
