| Multi-Role Fighter In aiming to use advanced technology to provide a leap forward in operational fighter capability and at the same time substantially reduce manufacturing costs, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme has ambitious goals. For the winning design the rewards could be enormous. A potential market for 5,000-8,000 aircraft has been forecast. The origins of JSF lie in the realisation by the US Marine Corps and Royal Navy during the 1980s that a replacement for the Sea Harrier and AV-8B would be required after the year 2000. Various research studies were undertaken on both sides of the Atlantic into advanced Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) concepts. The best of these concepts appeared to involve the use of a dedicated lift-fan located behind the cockpit. In 1989, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) took over leadership of the advanced STOVL project and focused the on-going effort into a phased development programme leading to a flying demonstrator aircraft using the powerful new engines developed for the YF-22 and YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter. In March 1993, study contracts were issued to Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas under the CALF project. In addition, Boeing and Northrop Grumman initiated self-funded design studies. In 1995, CALF was absorbed into the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme, which was originally intended to focus on technology studies and demonstration of various equipment for next generation strike aircraft. In fact, JAST soon evolved into a firm requirement for an advanced single-seat, single-engined lightweight multi-role fighter which could be operated by the USAF, US Navy and US Marines in closely similar variants. The opportunity to replace the F-16, A-10, F/A-18C/D and AV-8B with one design would result in huge savings in costs due to the large production run. During 1996 JAST was renamed JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) |
 X-35C On the Ramp  X-35 Cockpit |
 X-35 At Take-Off  X-35C |
In March 1993, study contracts were issued to Lockheed
and McDonnell Douglas under the CALF project. In addition, Boeing and Northrop
Grumman initiated self-funded design studies. In 1995, CALF was absorbed into
the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme, which was originally
intended to focus on technology studies and demonstration of various equipment
for next generation strike aircraft. In fact, JAST soon evolved into a firm
requirement for an advanced single-seat, single-engined lightweight
multi-role fighter which could be operated by the USAF, US Navy and US
Marines in closely similar variants. The opportunity to replace the
F-16, A-10, F/A-18C/D and AV-8B with one design would result in huge
savings in costs due to the large production run. During 1996 JAST was
renamed JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) In November 1996, Boeing and Lockheed Martin were awarded contracts to build two Concept Demonstrator Aircraft (CDA) - one CTOL version and one STOVL version - each. The aircraft were not intended to be fighter prototypes, but rather to prove that the selected design concepts would work, hence the use of X-series designations. The Boeing design received the designation X-32 and the Lockheed Martin design the designation X-35. The design of the Lockheed Martin X-35 is clearly derived from that of the F-22 Raptor. The aerodynamic configuration is very similar, as is the application of stealth technology in the shaping of the fuselage. The STOVL version features a Rolls-Royce (Allison) designed lift-fan located behind the cockpit. The fan is mechanically driven by a shaft running from the engine and is designed to support almost half of the aircraft's weight when in the hover. At the rear of the fuselage is a pitch-axis vectoring nozzle for the engine exhaust, which provides the remaining thrust to balance the aircraft. |
| Two CDA aircraft, the
designation X-35A was allocated to the CTOL version and X-35B to the STOVL
version. Unlike Boeing, Lockheed Martin introduced a third version, the
X-35C, to undertake simulated aircraft carrier (CV/CTOL) testing. This
aircraft was produced by converting the X-35A after it had completed it's
planned flight trials. The X-35A and X-35B have very similar airframes,
including the aft cockpit bulge and associated doors for the lift-fan, which
is only fitted to the X-35B. In addition to the clamshell doors above and
below the lift-fan bay are another set of doors in the aircraft spine
serving an engine auxiliary intake for use at low forward speeds. When
transitioning to and from the hover, all three sets of doors open or close
as required. The X-35C was converted at Palmdale from the X-35A. It featured
increased wing area and significantly larger tail surfaces to demonstrate
carrier approach performance. The production version of the X-35, known as the Preferred Weapons System Concept (PWSC), will feature a number of design changes. All versions will have the main air intakes reshaped and located further aft on the fuselage. The USAF's CTOL version is considered the baseline model. The STOVL version is 81% common in terms of airframe structure, while the CV version is only 62% common. The CTOL and STOVL versions have the same wing design, which has increased area compared to the X-35A/B. The CV version has much larger wings and tail surfaces and strengthened landing gear, including a twin wheel noseleg. The CTOL and CV versions will not feature the slightly bulged area behind the cockpit, which houses the lift-fan on the STOVL version, allowing a larger canopy glazed area. Extra fuel will be accommodated in place of the lift fan. The CTOL and CV versions will also feature slightly bulged weapons bay doors to accommodate larger weapons. |
 X-35B   |
| The Lockheed Martin X-35 was selected as the winning JSF design on 26 October 2001. | |
 X-35 CTOL Demonstrator |
|
 Front View of X-35A |
|
 X-35A Taxiing |
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X-35A CTOL concept demonstrator for the USAF.
Configuration 220A. X-35B STOVL concept demonstrator for the USMC and Royal Navy. Configuration 220B. X-35C CV/CTOL concept demonstrator for the US Navy. Converted from X-35A. Configuration 220C. Model 235 Lockheed Martin designation for PWSC production version. CTOL PWSC Baseline production version, for USAF. STOVL PWSC USMC production version with lift fan in bulged area aft of cockpit, shorter cockpit canopy and no bulging of weapons bay doors. CV PWSC US Navy production version, featuring much larger wing and tail surfaces and strengthened landing gear with twin wheel noseleg. |
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 X-35B Over Hoverpit  X-35B With Intake Doors open  X-35B Cruising at Altitude |
| Operators |
U.S. Air Force (1,763 planned) U.S. Navy (480 planned) U.S. Marine Corps (609 planned) UK - Royal Navy (60 planned) Government Agencies None Civilian Operators None |
 X-35C Rear View |
 X-35C at Altitude |