I remember watching the documentary film “Battle of the X-Planes,” which documented the fierce competition between Boeing and Lockheed for the Joint Strike Fighter project. The aircraft had to meet several criteria: it needed to be supersonic, capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and have stealth capabilities. In the end, Lockheed won the contract, and the aircraft became the F-35 Lightning II. Initially, I thought the F-35 only had one variant, specifically the VTOL version. However, I soon discovered that there are actually three distinct variants of the F-35, each with unique features. One is a conventional fighter, another is a VTOL aircraft, and the third is a carrier-based fighter. Here’s how to identify the different variants of the F-35 Lightning II.
F-35A: The Conventional Takeoff and Landing Variant
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant designed for the United States Air Force and other allied air forces. It is the most widely produced variant and operates from traditional runways.
External Features:
- Internal Gun: The F-35A is the only variant equipped with an internal 25mm GAU-22/A cannon mounted in the left wing root. This feature is not present in the other variants.
- Landing Gear: The F-35A has a tricycle landing gear configuration, with the main landing gear positioned close to the centerline of the aircraft. The nose gear retracts forward into the fuselage.
- Wingspan: The F-35A has a wingspan of 35 feet (10.7 meters), making it smaller than the F-35C.
How to Spot the F-35A:
Look for the internal gun port near the left wing root and the smaller wingspan compared to the F-35C. The landing gear configuration, with the main gear positioned closer to the aircraft’s centerline, is another identifying feature.
F-35B: The Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing Variant
The F-35B is designed for the United States Marine Corps, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, and other forces that require short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. This variant can operate from shorter runways and even amphibious assault ships, giving it versatility in various environments.
External Features:
- Lift Fan: The most noticeable feature of the F-35B is the lift fan located behind the cockpit, which allows for vertical landing and short takeoff. The lift fan’s doors open on top of the fuselage, making it easy to spot.
- Exhaust Nozzle: The F-35B has a swiveling exhaust nozzle at the rear, which directs thrust downward during vertical landing and takeoff.
- No Internal Gun: Unlike the F-35A, the F-35B does not have an internal gun. It uses an external gun pod when required.
How to Spot the F-35B:
Look for the lift fan doors on top of the fuselage and the swiveling rear exhaust nozzle. The absence of an internal gun port near the left wing root also distinguishes it from the F-35A.
F-35C: The Carrier-Based Variant
The F-35C is designed for the United States Navy, specifically for operations from aircraft carriers. This variant features several modifications to handle the unique challenges of carrier-based operations, such as catapult launches and arrested landings.
External Features:
- Larger Wingspan: The F-35C has a wingspan of 43 feet (13.1 meters), making it the largest of the three variants. The wings are also foldable to accommodate the limited space on aircraft carriers.
- Landing Gear: The F-35C has reinforced landing gear to withstand the stress of carrier landings. The nose gear has a launch bar for catapult launches, and the main gear is positioned further outboard compared to the F-35A and F-35B.
- Tailhook: The F-35C is equipped with a larger tailhook assembly, designed for arrested landings on carriers.
How to Spot the F-35C:
The larger wingspan, foldable wings, and reinforced landing gear are the most noticeable features of the F-35C. The presence of a large tailhook assembly and the launch bar on the nose gear are also key indicators.
The F-35 variants—F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C—are designed to meet different operational needs, and each has unique features that set it apart. To the untrained eye, they might all look similar, but there are specific details that differentiate them, even if they aren’t immediately obvious.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
