Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II

[Nostalgistic 312]

Hello! Today, I am introducing the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II to Italy. 

 

Disclaimer: I am aware this suggestion of a 5th gen fighter may be too early; however, it does not hurt to suggest and discuss it as a potential candidate as an addition to War Thunder in the future.

Overview

Aircraft: Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II

 

Role: 5th Gen / Jet Fighter / Multirole

 

Snapshot:

Background

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The F-35A is the 5th generation of a single-engine, supersonic, stealth multirole fighter; The F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant.

 

In October 2008, the Italian government released a requirement for 131 F-35s for the Aeronautica Militare and Marina Militare, consisting of 69 F-35As and 62 F-35Bs. However, the order was cut back to 90 because of the debt crisis in Italy in February 2012. In July 2013, Italy was finally allowed to make the purchase and complete the deliveries. The Italian industry contributes to the production of parts and final assembly for the F-35s in Italy. The first F-35A assembled in Italy flew from Cameri in September 2015, and the first of F-35As were delivered to Amendola Airbase in 2016. By November 2018, the F-35As in Italy were declared combat-ready. Since that time, Italy remains the second-largest Joint Strike Fighter contributing partner after the United Kingdom, and its inventory of F-35s totals 15 F-35As and 3 F-35Bs, all ready for operations.

Specifications

General Characteristics for F-35A

• Crew: 1 (Pilot)
• Length: 51.4 feet (15.7 meters)
• Height: 14.4 feet (4.38 meters)
• Span: 35 feet (10.7 meters)
• Wing Area: 460 square feet (42.7 square meters)
• Horizontal Tail Span: 22.5 feet (6.86 meters)
• Powerplant: 1x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100
• Empty Weight: 29,300 lb (13,290 kilograms)
• Maximum Weapons Payload: 18,000 lb (8,160 kilograms)
• Maximum Weight: 70,000 lb (31,751 kilograms)
• Fuel Capacity: 18,250 lb (8,278 kilograms)

 

Performance

• Thrust: 40,000 lb each engine (18143.7 kilogram each)
• Maximum speed: ~Mach 1.6
• Combat Range: >590 miles (1,093 kilometers)
• Service Ceiling: above 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)

Cockpit

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Armament

Hardpoints

• 4 x Internal Stores
• 6 x External Stores

 

Gun

• 25mm GAU-22/A (180 Rounds)

 

Air-to-Air Missiles

• AIM-9X Sidewinder

 

• AIM-120C AMRAAM

 

• MBDA Meteor BVRAAM

 

Air-to-Surface Bombs/Missiles

• AGM-88G HARM

 

• GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition
• GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition

 

Misc

• AN/APG-81 AESA radar
• AN/ASQ-239 Barracuda Electronic Warfare System (Provides Radar Warning Receiver)
• AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (Provides  Missile Launch Warning)
• AN/AAQ-40 Electro-Optical Targeting System
• AN/ASQ-242 Communications, Navigation, and Identification

Images

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Conclusion

The F-35A Lightning II is one of the first 5th generation fighters for Italy. It is a great asset to expand the Italian aviation tech tree in the future.

Sources

There are no primary sources available at this moment. For instance, the flight and operations manuals are classified and restricted to the public.

Secondary

• https://www.f35.com/f35/about.html
• https://www.f35.com/f35/global-enterprise/italy.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II_procurement#Italy
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

 

Thank you for your time reading my suggestion!  

Edited April 16, 2022 by Nostalgistic

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[Охраняет-Камни 6,650]

+1

[Milocat 4,857]

The game is going to go full modern at some point so why not?  +1.

[Fireraid233 4,274]

+1

[MichaeL98 102]

I can already imagine USA UK Germany Japan Italy and Isreal all getting their F35s... but lol the game surely will get there +1

[S__bastienZ88 635]

+1

[ItalianAce02 40]

+1 for the stealthy boy 

[Il_Signor_Regio 153]

Add also the GBU39 and GBU12  to the weapons section since the Italian one has them (You can see both in the photo here) 

 

Another weapons that can be added to the suggestion are the SPEAR guided bombs, many articles report that both Italian and British F35 have them 

https://aresdifesa.it/missili-spear-e-meteor-per-gli-f-35-del-regno-unito-e-dellitalia/

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/italy-uk-to-complete-meteor-spear-missile-integration-on-f-35-fleets/145515.article

 

 

Edited July 6, 2023 by Il_Signor_Regio